Understanding Gelbvieh Carcass Traits   (Gelbvieh World, October, 1998)

By Tom Brink, AGA Executive Director

Every Gelbvieh breeder should develop a good working knowledge of Gelbvieh carcass characteristics. When a potential bull buyer asks about Gelbvieh carcasses, an accurate response will go a long way toward making a sale. Effectively communicating the strengths of your cattle---and the Gelbvieh breed---is an important aspect of seedstock marketing.

Gelbvieh excel in several important carcass traits, which should be relayed to both current and potential customers. Gelbvieh have a reputation for being a lean and muscular breed, with excellent growth rates. These core traits are clearly seen when Gelbvieh carcasses hang on the packer's rail. Gelbvieh carcasses are leaner and more muscular than average, with more pounds of saleable beef.

The above table compares Gelbvieh carcasses to the average carcass characteristics of all cattle processed through the Gelbvieh Alliance (the "all cattle" group represents numerous breeds and crosses). Take a few moments to study the table. Note that Gelbvieh-sired cattle produce more pounds, more Yield Grade 1s and 2s, but fewer Choice and Prime quality grade carcasses compared to the Alliance average. Now let's briefly discuss each of these important carcass traits.

Carcass Weight. Pounds are what we sell in the beef business, so the importance of carcass weight should never be underestimated. Pounds create dollars, and Gelbvieh are excellent pound-makers. Gelbvieh have a significant carcass weight advantage because of their rapid growth rate and somewhat above-average size.

The weight difference shown in the table would be even wider (more in Gelbvieh's favor) if the two groups were the same age. Gelbvieh-sired animals averaged almost two months younger at slaughter, which puts them at a significant weight disadvantage compared to other Alliance cattle. Despite this age difference, Gelbvieh carcasses still weighed more than the average Alliance carcass. This makes a strong statement for Gelbvieh's ability to create added value through added weight. Extra pounds are a documented strength of the breed.

Yield Grade 1s & 2s. Every beef carcass has three primary components: muscle, fat and bone. Fat and bone aren't worth much. It's the muscle (meat) that gives a carcass its value. Yield Grade 1 and Yield Grade 2 carcasses have significantly more muscle and less fat than Yield Grade 3s and 4s. Thus, it is desirable to have a high percentage of Yield Grade 1s and 2s.

Gelbvieh are lean and muscular, and they consistently produce a high percentage of Yield Grade 1s and 2s. As shown in the table, 80% of all Gelbvieh-sired carcasses attain this high cutability endpoint. Ultrasound data reveals that yearling Gelbvieh bulls have 1.0 to 2.0 square inches more ribeye area and one-tenth inch less backfat (on average) when compared to British-breed bulls at the same age. Like the other Continental breeds, Gelbvieh produce carcasses with high red-meat yields.

Choice and Prime Quality Grades. Breeds like Gelbvieh that excel in leanness aren't typically high in marbling (intra-muscular fat). Marbling is the primary factor that determines quality grade. As a result, these breeds produce fewer Choice and Prime carcasses. Gelbvieh-sired carcasses averaged 44% Choice and Prime, which is below the overall Alliance average of 59%.

Gelbvieh quality grades are similar to those seen in other Continental breeds. Choice and Prime percentages averaged from 37% to 49% in the Charolais, Limousin, Simmental and Salers breeds, based on Gelbvieh Alliance data. The overall average for all Continental breeds is 44% Choice and Prime. Thus, Gelbvieh are a typical Continental breed when it comes to marbling and quality grade.

Gelbvieh "Dollar Up" and Complement British Breeds

Overall, Gelbvieh dollar up well when sold on a carcass-merit basis. The breed's advantage in leanness, muscle and pounds typically offsets its lower quality grades. Gelbvieh-sired carcasses have been worth $4 more per head than the average of all Gelbvieh Alliance cattle.

The strengths of the Gelbvieh breed are also very complementary to the strengths/weaknesses of British breeds. Gelbvieh excel in leanness, muscle and pounds. British breeds (especially Angus and Red Angus) excel in marbling, but their carcasses weigh less and have more waste fat.

Gelbvieh's leanness, muscularity and strong growth characteristics also result in better feed efficiency in the feedlot. The Gelbvieh Alliance has documented a 10% feed-to-gain advantage for Gelbvieh-sired versus Angus-sired cattle. Fat deposition is metabolically less efficient than lean tissue deposition, which is the reason British breeds are often less efficient from a feed-to-gain standpoint.

Trait complementarity with British breeds opens up a huge opportunity for Gelbvieh breeders. Many of the nation's cow/calf operations have British-based cows. These herds can benefit greatly from Gelbvieh's growth and maternal traits, as well as from the complementary nature of Gelbvieh/British carcass traits. Value-based grids reward pounds, leanness and quality grade, and Gelbvieh x British cattle do an excellent job balancing these important carcass traits.

Building Better Carcasses

Carcass traits are becoming increasingly important in today's beef business. Gelbvieh breeders need to place some selection pressure on the important carcass traits (muscle, leanness, marbling and pounds). However, carcass traits should not take precedence over pasture traits like fertility, calving ease, disposition and growth.

The advent of Gelbvieh Carcass EPDs allows breeders to begin incorporating economically important carcass traits into a balanced, multi-trait selection plan. Generally speaking, breeders should maintain Gelbvieh carcass strengths (muscle and leanness), while placing positive selection pressure on marbling. Marbling in the Gelbvieh breed can use improvement. Sires that are significantly below breed average for marbling should be discriminated against. At the same time, breeders must avoid "single-trait selection" for marbling at the expense of muscle, leanness and other Gelbvieh core-competency traits