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 Producers

Participation 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

Third-Party Verification With IMI Global

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 Producers

Enrollment 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

Why Choose Balancer® Edge?

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 Budget

The 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.

REFERENCES:

https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/cattlemen-s-beef-board-approves-38-million-budget-lists-priorities-it-will-invest

USDA OK’s New Tech For Beef Grading

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is moving forward with the use of three new vision grading instruments to support the agency’s beef grading program.

AMS approved the use of new technologies that produce marbling scores for Prime, Choice and Select grades for beef, according to a statement announcing the tech updates. The three new vision grading instruments also will assist in the application of Yield Grades and measuring of the ribeye area that often is used in scores of Certified Beef Programs. These certifications are issued by a range of organizations and companies, including Certified Angus Beef, National Beef Certified Premium, Tyson’s Chairman’s Reserve Certified Premium Beef and Nolan Ryan’s Tender Aged Beef, for example.

The technology allows for consistent, uniform application of USDA beef grades, which drive payments for producers, help value determinations for packers and communicate quality to U.S. consumers.

For a reference chart, click HERE.

REFERENCES:

https://meatingplace.com/usda-oks-new-tech-for-beef-grading-procedures-programs/

Global Cattle Prices Continue To Rise While Exports To China Dwindle 

Global export volumes of U.S. beef to China were down 19% in July compared to a year earlier and are down 8% through the first seven months of 2025, as the mainland China market withers in the trade war.

China was the fourth largest destination for U.S. beef last year but President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China starting in February soured trade relations. In March, China revoked export licenses for U.S. producers, leaving the beef industry with only a few eligible exporters.

Compared to the first seven months of 2024, exports to China are down 46% and down 47% by value at $481 million.

Among the top six destinations for U.S. beef, only South Korea booked a volume increase through July — up 9% by both volume and value. All the others, including Japan, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan, are off so far this year.

However, according to a recent Rabo Research Report, global cattle prices continue to rise as global volumes are contracting. 

Although, for example, beef imports from Brazil into the U.S. rose 25% compared to last year in the first half of 2025, higher tariffs will have a material impact on the trade between Brazil and the US, analysts assured. In Europe, the tight market is also attracting higher imports.

The latest round of U.S. tariffs included an additional 40% on the already existing 10% global rate and 26.4% non-quota duty on Brazilian beef imports. Brazil supplied a record volume of beef into the U.S. in the first half of 2025, and RaboResearch believes this additional tariff will have a material impact on the trade between Brazil and the U.S.

Nearly a month after the U.S. began applying further import tariffs on Brazilian beef, shipments remain strong in a year-over-year comparison, and shipments to the U.S. have remained relatively stable even after the tariffs have taken effect.



REFERENCE:

https://meatingplace.com/beef-takes-it-on-the-chin-as-exports-to-china-dwindle/

https://meatingplace.com/global-cattle-prices-continue-to-rise-rabobank

Featured Experts in the Cattle Industry

Harold Bertz – American Gelbvieh Association

https://gelbvieh.org/

Follow on Facebook: @AmericanGelbvieh

Mark Vanzee – Livestock, Equine, & Auction Time Expert

https://www.auctiontime.com/

https://www.livestockmarket.com/

https://www.equinemarket.com/

Follow on Facebook: @LivestockMkt | @EquineMkt | @AuctionTime

Kirk Donsbach – Financial Analy