Breed Information
Gelbvieh (pronounced gelp-fee)or yellow cattle were developed in the three Franconian districts of the Northern Bavaria region of Germany in the early 19th century. The "red-yellow Franconian cattle" were developed from several local strains including the Celtic-German Landrace and Heil-Brown cattle. Thus, with stringent sire testing and planned mating programs, Gelbvieh were moulded into a superior dual purpose animal for beef and milk production.Starting in 1850, systemic breeding work began in stud herds. These local strains have been further improved with intensive breeding work since 1870. Several societies for improving the breeding of cattle were formed. They aimed to select the best bulls for traits such as single color, fitness, and milk production. In 1887 the breed society for Yellow Fanconia Cattle for middle and upper Fanconia in Nurnberg was founded. It was followed by the breed society for Gelbvieh in lower Fanconia, based in Wurzburg and founded in 1889. Since WW II , Germany has used a stringent selection program to repopulate its cattle herds. Only 3% of the registered cows were used to provide bulls. These cows were selected on structural soundness and conformation. In the 1960's Red Danish cattle were introduced to the herd book to improve milk production.
Gelbvieh were selected for carcass traits: length of loin, leanness, early growth and maturity. In Europe, there
were far fewer cattle per farm unit and close contact with farm animals ensured that docility and longevity were
also part of this formula. All of this, in a golden brown, totally pigmented animal with dark hooves and genitalia.
(Pigmentation is a trait which is now believed to reduce problems associated with soft hooves, sunburned
udders and cancer eye.) Gelbvieh animals also adapt to most range or climatic conditions.
In addition, Gelbvieh were required to have outstanding maternal traits: fertility, excellent mothering instincts,
good udders and prolific milk production. Gelbvieh females meet these requirements and excel in early puberty,
quick re-breeding, high milk production, well-developed, structurally correct udders with pigmented teats,
strong legs and feet to give them longevity. They will produce a live calf with minimum calving difficulty, and produce high weaning weights every year.
In 1972, the first Gelbvieh genetics were imported into Canada when the Gelbvieh bull, Flag (CGA No. 1) arrived
from Germany.
Gelbvieh are currently the sixth largest beef breed in Canada, registering over 3,500 head of animals annually
with more than 300 active members in the Canadian Gelbvieh Association.
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