It’s The Ranch It Up Radio Show! Join Jeff Tigger Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and their crew as they talk about the latest import and export news, where check off dollars are being allocated and to whom and how to market those Gelbvieh about Balancer feeder cattle. Plus a whole lot more of the cow stuff on this all new episode of The Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.
Season 5, EPISODE 254
Source & Age Verification Program For Feeder Cattle Sired By Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls What Is the Balancer® Edge Program?The Balancer® Edge program, developed by the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA), is designed to add value for cattle producers by verifying Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics in their herds. To qualify, at least 75% of sires must be registered Gelbvieh or Balancer bulls, with each bull carrying a minimum of 25% Gelbvieh genetics.
Verification Requirements for ProducersParticipation in Balancer® Edge requires simple but essential documentation, including:
- First and last calf born dates
- Headcount support
- Registration papers of sires to confirm Gelbvieh genetics
This verification process ensures genetic accuracy and builds buyer confidence in Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced cattle.
Market Value Through Source & Age Verification (SAV)Since its launch in 2004, Source and Age Verification (SAV) has been a proven tool for U.S. beef producers. Balancer® Edge automatically qualifies cattle for SAV, opening doors to value-added marketing programs such as:
- China Export Verification Program
- Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program for the EU
- Verified Natural Beef
- GAP 5-Step Animal Welfare and others
Additionally, Balancer® Edge documentation can:
- Establish cattle age at the processor
- Serve as proof of maturity for grading purposes
- Ensure cattle qualify as A maturity if under 30 months of age at harvest
The AGA has partnered with IMI Global, an accredited, independent verification company. IMI Global evaluates livestock attributes, production practices, and compliance to ensure unbiased and trustworthy certification for Balancer® Edge participants.
Cost & Tag Options for ProducersEnrollment in Balancer® Edge is affordable and straightforward:
- $3.00 per head (includes tags + application processing)
- Producers may select from 982 or 840 EID tags (840 EID tags require a premise ID)
- Combo sets (visual tag + EID) available for an additional $1.25/head
- Standard turnaround time: approx. 2 weeks from order date
- Rush orders available for an extra fee
By participating in the Balancer® Edge program, producers gain:
- Verified Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics
- Access to global and domestic value-added beef markets
- Documentation for age, source, and maturity verification
- Affordable verification backed by trusted third-party certification
Find out more from the American Gelbvieh Association, and marketing programs by clicking HERE.
Cattle Industry News Cattlemen's Beef Board Approves $38 Million BudgetThe Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $38.1 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications during fiscal 2026, subject to USDA approval.
In action at the end of its September 3-4 meeting in Denver, Colorado, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) approved Checkoff funding for a total of 14 "Authorization Requests" - or grant proposals - for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. The committee, which includes 10 producers and importers from the Cattlemen's Beef Board and 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils, also recommended full Cattlemen's Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.
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