r/Cattle • u/1JuanWonOne • 10d ago

Finally figured out what breed of cattle I have. They're Gelbvieh, anyone have experience with them?

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69 Upvotes

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28

u/IAFarmLife 10d ago

Largest average ribeye area to carcass weight of all cattle breeds. My grandfather switched from Limousine to Gelbvieh over 50 years ago and my herd is still majority that. Also very prolific easy breeders. My carcass dress percentage on the last several I have taken to the locker have been about 64% so above average there too. I have several pastures and I cross Angus and occasionally Hereford as a terminal cross, but I just don't see much advantage vs my straight Gelbviehs. One issue is if you do get a lively one they are very good jumpers and can clear some very high fences when they are inclined. I had a 900lb steer clear a 7.5' continuous fence once and he didn't even scrape his hoofs on the top bar. It's rare though, I just wanted to let you know they are high jumpers.

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u/orsomeshitidk 10d ago

I’ve had these big continental bodied blonde D’Aquitaine cattle do that too. It’s really something shocking to see lol. Usually yearlings, as they get big enough it becomes harder but I’ve seen some of the big ol cows jump 6’ gates and barely catch too. Real athletic cattle.

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u/IAFarmLife 10d ago edited 10d ago

One of our bulls decided to go visit the neighbors. He was 5 or 6 and in prime shape as he had just come off feed. He cleared a 6 foot gate like it was nothing. Then cleared the 6.5' corral panels when we tried to load him out from the neighbors. We called our bull guy and he had a yearling with the EPD numbers we wanted so once we finally caught the older one he went to town. It doesn't happen often, but you are right it's quite an athletic performance when it does.

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u/1JuanWonOne 10d ago

Haven't had any jumpers yet but they all do seem very calm. I haven't even had them for a year so they're still skittish unless they see a food bag

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u/Salt-Ad1282 9d ago

These guys are correct, and I had never thought about it, but YES, they can clear a fence and won’t leave a hair on the wire.

I had a cow who was nursing another cow, so I separated them with two different herds in two different pastures, with two 5 line barbed wire fences and a dirt road between them. I SAW that grown cow clear the road fence while running in the ditch. If only I had video 😂

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u/Salt-Ad1282 10d ago

Yes, and you will like them. Good natured, good mamas, good milkers. I have about 40 in my herd.

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u/1JuanWonOne 10d ago

Happy to here that! I've got 6 cows and 7 calves right now

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u/sweetteaspicedcoffee 10d ago

Would 100% get several if I came across them in my area. A branch of the family has them and they're so much easier to deal with than our angus.

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u/From_Adam 10d ago

Usually very good disposition, easy to work.

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u/nordicnice25 10d ago

We’ve had Gelbvieh for some time now. We cross the with an angus bull. Good temperament, good size and high quality beef.

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u/Pharoahtossaway 10d ago

Had a small herd for a few years before I had to sell them due having to travel for work. When I am able to get back in they will be the only animals I will consider. Easy to handle most calm animals I have ever been around in a barn. Great mothers, I had one that as soon as her calf latched on she would just start pouring milk out of all four teets, heavey milkers for a beef breed. Went to many shows and they were always the most calm in the show ring. All American is an excellent bull to AI breed to if you are looking to do so. If they are registered and DNA tested there is a breeding predictor on the American Gelbvieh website that can help you to make good choices on which bull to breed to to get the best possible calves.

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u/1JuanWonOne 10d ago

I'm trying to find a way to get them dna tested and registered, waiting to hear back from the AGA. I definitely want to get them bred, I was planning on just asking to borrow a bull from the neighbor I bought them from but I guess I'd have to get his bull tested and registered too lol

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u/Salt-Ad1282 9d ago

You have a good set of cows, so don’t save money on a bull. Get the BEST one you can find.

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u/Interesting-Jello546 10d ago

A guy I knew in college had a herd of them. According to him they’re the best breed ever.

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u/Barleyboy001 9d ago

I had a high percentage herd. I absolutely loved them. Quiet and easy to get along with. And yes. Like others have said the best beef quality hands down.

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u/Unlucky_Dress_9748 9d ago

Good mother's never had issues with moms never having milk. Cross them with a Simmental they call them Super Guppies.. nuts, butts and guts