Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast

Marketing Gelbvieh & Balancer Feeder Cattle And Cattle News
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner
Guest: Harold Burtz, American Gelbvieh Association
Air Date: September 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tigger and BEC dive into the latest cattle industry news, with a strong focus on marketing Gelbvieh and Balancer feeder cattle, current market trends, value-added programs, and the importance of risk and financial management for ranchers. Special guest Harold Burtz of the American Gelbvieh Association provides insight on maximizing the value of feeder calves, utilizing association programs, and the opportunities present for producers in heifer retention and hybrid vigor. The episode rounds out with a comprehensive cattle market recap and practical financial strategies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Industry News and Market Updates

[01:02–05:19]

• Beef Board Investments: The Beef Board will allocate approximately $38.1 million toward promotion, research, consumer/industry information, foreign marketing, and communications for FY2026.
  • Rebecca: "The Beef board will invest approximately $38.1 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications during fiscal 2026..." (01:02)
• Vision Grading Instruments: USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service approved the use of three new grading technologies, promising more consistent beef grading and improved premiums for producers.
• Global Beef Trade:
  • Challenging trends: U.S. beef exports to China were down 19% in July and 8% for the first seven months of 2025, largely due to trade tensions and China’s revoked export licenses for U.S. producers.
  • The only growth market: South Korea saw a 9% increase in U.S. beef imports by both volume and value.
  • Higher tariffs are impacting U.S.-Brazil beef trades but imports remain strong.
• Market Risk Management:
  • Dr. Andrew Griffith’s perspective: Rising prices create bigger risks and larger losses; emphasizes managing price and financial risk.
    • Tigger (paraphrasing Griffith): "The management of that risk has more value when cattle value is higher. Every animal that perishes before being marketed is now a larger loss of value than when prices were lower..." (05:19)

2. Value-Added Programs for Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

[09:16–13:36]

Guest: Harold Burtz, American Gelbvieh Association Executive Director

• Balancer Edge Program:

  • A partnership with IMI Global for agent, source, and genetic verification, aimed at highlighting the quality of calves and capturing value differentiation even in high markets.
    • Harold: "We've got several programs...our Balancer Edge is our agent, source and genetic verifier...we've sure seen...even in the highest market we've ever seen, everything you do to separate yourself from the rest...matters. And I think the Balancer Edge is one way..." (09:16)

• Feeder Finder and Online Marketplace:

  • Tools to promote and market calves directly to interested feedlots and buyers, including website listings for replacement females—free and with strong site traffic.

• Active Marketing Team:

  • Tom Strom and Wes Anglin travel to sales and engage with buyers on behalf of producers.
    • Harold: "I think the most important thing we have is Tom Strom and Wes Anglin...they'd love to help folks market whatever class of feeder cattle or replacement females..." (11:16)

• Host Perspective:

  • Tigger: "Taking 20 to 30 minutes out of your day, that may get you the buck that you wanted for sure." (11:16)
  • Importance of using available (often free) tools for even a small market advantage.

3. Navigating Heifer Retention vs. Feeder Markets

[13:36–16:34]

• Current Market Reality:

  • High prices tempt producers to sell heifers rather than retain them.
    • Tigger: "There is not a lot of heifer retention...with prices, what they are, that's extremely attractive to market those females as feeder cattle..." (13:36)

• Strategic Retention Opportunity:

  • Now may be a rare chance to acquire premium genetics as more producers offer top heifers for sale.
    • Harold: "The really good ones are going to town that a lot of times you never get an opportunity to see...I think that the time to capture those is now." (14:58)
  • Value of the Gelbvieh cow: fertility, longevity, milk, moderate size, and calf performance.

• Report from the Field:

  • Special cow sales in eastern Kansas and western Missouri have seen Galvy and Balancer females top the market at $4,700 for bred heifers, reflecting the strength of demand and quality.

4. The Power of Hybrid Vigor

[16:34–18:21]

• Versatility in Breeding:
  • Gelbvieh and Balancer cows offer flexibility (with either Angus or Red Angus) and a chance to maximize hybrid vigor for terminal or maternal goals.
    • Tigger: "Versatility is the word that I'm really looking for right there...if you're just chasing the terminal market, you can absolutely capture hybrid vigor..." (16:34)
• Breed Innovation:
  • Gelbvieh Association’s leadership in managed hybrid systems with the Balancer program.
    • Harold: "They were the first to implement a managed hybrid system...and they're still in front... The advantage for the commercial producer is they can still reap the rewards of that hybrid vigor..." (17:08)

5. Cattle Market Recap

[20:42–22:25]

Guest: Kirk Donsbach, Stonex Financial Inc.

• Market Conditions (as of Sept. 5):
  • October feeder futures: down 7.42½ cents, CME feeder index down $1.42 at $363.96.
  • October live cattle: down $3.82½, cash trading tight between $242–243.
  • Choice boxes, though down on the week, remain high at $410.76.
  • Slaughter numbers reflected the holiday-shortened week (down 78,000 from last week).
  • December corn at $4.18, down two cents.

6. Financial Strategies for Profits & Taxes

[24:01–25:15]

• Guest Excerpt: Aaron Berger, via Shea Wanner’s “Casual Cattle Conversations” Podcast
  • Keep a cash cushion—strategic tax management enables producers to take advantage of opportunities.
    • Aaron Berger: "Having some cash that you can have access to gives you opportunity to take advantage of opportunities when they're presented. I think is an important thing to strategically position yourself..." (24:20)
  • Emphasis on investing in personal and operational growth.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Everything you do to separate yourself from the rest...matters." – Harold Burtz on value-added programs (09:16)
• "Taking 20 to 30 minutes...may get you the buck that you wanted for sure." – Tigger on using marketing programs (11:16)
• "The time to capture those [top females] is now." – Harold Burtz on capitalizing on heifer retention opportunities (14:58)
• "If you can take advantage of free services...that's the easy pickings." – Harold Burtz on maximizing value (12:17)
• "Having some cash that you can have access to gives you opportunity to take advantage of opportunities when they're presented." – Aaron Berger, Casual Cattle Conversations (24:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02] Beef Board investment announcement & program breakdown
• [05:19] Risk management advice from Dr. Andrew Griffith
• [09:16] Value-added marketing programs for feeder calves (Harold Burtz)
• [13:36] Discussion of heifer retention opportunities
• [16:34] Strategic use of Gelbvieh and Balancer cows for hybrid vigor
• [20:42] Market recap with Kirk Donsbach
• [24:20] Financial flexibility and strategic tax management (Aaron Berger)

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with timely market intelligence, action-ready marketing advice, and strategic operational insights tailored for the working rancher. The focus on Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds illustrates the importance of value-added verification, association support, and forward-looking genetic investment—even (or especially) when current prices may tempt producers to make short-term sales. As always, the Ranch It Up team delivers on their promise to support the ranching community with practical knowledge, actionable steps, and genuine respect for the Western way of life.