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History of
Taubenheim Gelbvieh
Breeding cattle to work for
the commercial cattlemen
~ by Nikki Krien of The
Nebraska Cattleman's magazine
Feeling his family's operation
wasn't au courant, a second-generation dairy producer from Nebraska took the
initiative to research the industry and evaluate different breeds, choosing an
alternative to take his family's business into a new era.
In 1981, Mike Taubenheim was re-evaluating his family's 130 head dairy
operation in Amherst, Nebraska. As a freshman, he just didn't think raising and
showing dairy cattle was very 'cool'. Looking to diversify, Mike studied
different breeds of beef cattle and interviewed other producers. He found what
certain breeds had to offer - the look, performance and longevity. For Mike, one
breed stood out. A combination of all the qualities he desired, and that he
believed the industry was gravitating toward - Gelbvieh.
Mike's first purchase was a pair or heifers from Wilson's Broken Bar
Ranch, Mankato, Kansas. The two heifers were bred, resulting in a set of bull
calves. Those calves later sold for $2,000 a piece.
Encouraged by the success, the Taubenheims worked for the next 11 years to
build their new herd. They were regulars at production and dispersal sales,
buying to accumulate numbers. By 1992, they were entirely Gelbvieh.
Today, Mike, along with his wife, Renee, and his parents, Dale and
Jenette, own and operate Taubenheim Gelbvieh. Mike and Renee's children, Justin,
10, Tanner, 8; and Sydney, 6, are becoming more involved as they get older.
Although running the business is a family affair, each individual has his
or her area of expertise. Dale is the farming expert of the bunch. Mike is in
charge of the ranch's extensive artificial insemination (AI) program. When
Jenette and Renee aren't out tending to the cattle with the rest of the family,
they keep tabs on the administrative center of the business. Jenette keeps the
books for the operation; Renee's niche is technical support, and can often be
found tapping away on the keyboard on behalf of Taubenheim Gelbvieh.
It requires a special dedication to successfully manage the 400 females
and 1,000 acres of farmland that make up their operation. In terms of the
cattle, the Taubenheims are very diligent in protecting the integrity of the
herd they've established.
The Taubenheims AI approximately 300 head each year. Even with such a
large number to play with, they rarely use new, heavily promoted sires. Rather,
they prefer proven genetics from bulls that have persevered in the breed because
of the consistency they offer. Mike even went so far as to say they use many
sires others consider 'has beens'. They use new bulls from time to time, but
when they do they only breed a handful of females, then wait a year to see how
the calves turn out.
This approach must be working. Taubenheim cattle have found their way to
the front of the class at show after show, and the operation has been honored at
both the State and National level. Their herd bull, SLC Freedom 178F, perhaps
the most influential red bull in the breed today, was purchased as a yearling
and went on to be named National Champion at the 1999 National Western Stock
Show, Denver, Colorado.
Mike said Freedom is one of the most widely used red bulls in the breed,
and he's making some definite changes. Freedom's progeny are strong-topped and
square-hipped, helping Freedom to be a standout.
'Talk to any Gelbvieh breeder', Mike said. 'He is one bull that's changed
the breed.'
One only needs to look back at the championship line-up of females at the
2002 National Western. All five were Freedom daughters. But that's not where it
ends. The Taubenheim's have had four National Champions in all. In addition,
they were named Premier exhibitor at the 1999 National Western and have secured
the title of Premier Exhibitor at the Nebraska state fair 8 out of the last 10
years.
Being competitive is important to the Taubenheim's. Mike said he is
enjoyed seeing their ascent in the breed. He delights in being the little guy
with the standout string at the shows they attend.
'I like making the big guys sweat,' he said. 'But we’re getting to the
point where we’re more than the little guy.'
The Taubenheims are making strides in every aspect of their operation. The
average at their annual sale has risen a steady $50 / year for the last eight
years. This can be largely attributed to customer satisfaction. Mike said one of
the ways they know their cattle work is when they see the same people coming
back year after year, and those repeat customers start bringing along friends.
'Customer service is very important,' Mike said. 'We realized that without
the customer, we wouldn’t be here.'
The Taubenheims are gearing up for their 13th Annual Production Sale
scheduled for February 11th, 2003. The sale, featuring 100 bulls and 30 females
is a huge undertaking for the group, who handles the management of the sale with
the help of family and friends.
One aspect of the operation that Mike highlights is their attention to the
commercial cattlemen. Not only do they incorporate bulls favored by commercial
producers in their breeding program, but they are also strong proponents of
Balancer bulls. These are halfblood bulls recognized by the American Gelbvieh
Association. The Taubenheim’s produce Balancer bulls by using Angus bulls on
their Gelbvieh females.
Mike said that many of their customers who buy these halfblood bulls have
used Gelbvieh bulls heavily in the past. Commonly, Balancer bulls are used on
halfblood females. This combination is producing progeny that find favor in the
commercial arena.
'There is no reason for the commercial cattlemen not to take advantage of
heterosis,' Mike said. 'The market is demanding it.'
The Taubenheim’s have made a name for themselves by producing sound,
functional cattle. Fleshing ability is the main focus in their production of
females. In fact, before Mike will consider and new herd bull, he has to prove
himself a producer of cows. The concern - hard doing females are harder to
breed.
'Fleshing ability, in my mind,' Mike said, 'is the most important trait in
a cow herd.'
Another focus of the Taubenheim management is producing cattle with plenty
of muscle to satisfy the market. Making an admittedly bold statement, Mike said
that they have built their cow herd to have more muscle than most in the breed.
In just two decades, the Taubenheim’s have rerouted and rebuilt their
operation, becoming one of the premier producers in the Gelbvieh breed. By
emphasizing the production of quality cattle and maintaining a vigorous
dedication to their customers, along with lofty personal goals for their
operation, Mike, Renee, Dale and Jenette are fulfilling their customers demand,
both seedstock and commercial, and, ultimately, the industry's. ~ WLR
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