HOME

PRODUCTION

HISTORY

MANAGEMENT

BREEDING

SALES RESULT

HISTORY OF THE GELBVON STUD

Gelbvieh was officially recognised as a breed in terms of the Livestock Improvement Act in the Republic of South Africa on 11 December 1987. The founding of a breeders' society, in which Mr Jan Grey of Grey and Grey Estates played an integral and active role, happened soon after. Grey and Grey Estates have been involved with Gelbvieh breeding, through the so-called Gelbvieh project since 1974. Initially only semen was imported. The Gelbvon Stud was first to import bulls, cows, heifers and embryo's into South Africa after recognition of the breed. The utilization of a conscious embryo transfer and an upgrading programme, have contributed to the rapid expansion of numbers.

The Gelbvon Stud is at present the biggest Gelbvieh herd in  the country. We have 450 breeding female animals managed under entirely commercial conditions. The Gelbvon Stud is capable of presenting a wide variety to the industry, as a result of its wide basis and continuous flow of genetic material. Red and black, as well as natural polls are examples of this genetic variety. Grey and Grey Estates also farms with a S A Mutton Merino Stud.

ENVIRONMENT



The Gelbvon stud of Grey and Grey Estates is bred on a sour field, situated on the Eastern Highveld in the Ermelo District, Mpumalanga Province. An area known for its moderate summers (800 to 1000 mm precipitation annually) and cold, dry winters. Cash crop production forms and integral part of the farming system.

HERD MANAGEMENT IN THE GELBVON STUD

A spring and autumn calving season of 65 and 42 days respectively is applied to facilitate easier feeding and management. Animals graze mainly on natural field and during winter on saved pastures and hay. Maize stover, straws, chaff and irrigable pastures are also utilized, but mainly by the sheep. The calves' weights are measured at birth, as well as at 100 days, 205 days and 365 days. All potential bulls are submitted to a phase C or D test, as prescribed in the National Beef Cattle Performance Testing Scheme. The necessary veterinary programme is followed in respect of inoculation, dosages, as well as unfailingly the necessary CA and TB tests.

© 2001 - SASBA
These pages were developed and are being maintained by
The South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association