Gelbvieh Breed of Cattle

Gelbvieh which means "yellow cow" in German. They were developed in the three Franconian districts of the Northern Bavaria region of southern Germany in the early 19th century from self-colored Bernese and Swiss Brown cattle used on the local red or red-spotted cattle. Like most European breeds the Gelbvieh was originally selected for meat, milk and work.

Gelbvieh cattle are well-balanced, long-bodied and well-fleshed beef production units. Without being bulgy, the meat carries well down the hind quarters of these moderately framed animals. Gelbvieh cattle have strong, well-placed limbs which stand on dark, hard hooves. While originally a horned, light brown, a totally pigmented animal is now the norm through selective upgrading programs. (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.

The breed is red in color, with strong skin pigmentation, and horned. Polled cattle have developed in the United States from the use of naturally hornless foundation females. Gelbvieh producers have also introduced polled and black genetics into the breed. The Gelbvieh breed has outstanding maternal traits: fertility, excellent mothering instincts, good udders and prolific milk production. Gelbvieh females 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. The breed does very well in high mountain areas like the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Our Gelbvieh cattle are both red and black in color and many are poled.

The breed was introduced into the United States by Carnation Genetics through the importations of semen from Germany, starting in July of 1971.

Gelbvieh Characteristics

Easy Calving High Weaning Weight
Excellent Fertility High Slaughter Weight
Dark, Hard Hooves Outstanding Daily Gains
Docile, Good Nature Horned or Polled Genetics
High Quality Carcass Suitable for Crossbreeding Purposes
High Milk Production Uniform Color with Total Pigmentation
Good Acclimatization Good Mothering Ability


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