The Balancer® Edge program requires a minimum of 75 percent of the sires used on an operation to be registered Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls, and these bulls must be a minimum of 25 percent Gelbvieh genetics. The verification process for this program requires producers to submit first and last calf born date, head count support and registration papers of the sires to verify Gelbvieh genetics.
The Source and Age Verification (SAV) program has been in practice in the beef industry since 2004, and continues to play an important role in adding value for U.S. beef producers. Balancer® Edge meets the SAV base requirement for cattle to be eligible for marketing into the China Export Verification program, the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) program for the EU, Verified Natural Beef, and others. In addition, Balancer® Edge documentation is eligible for establishing age of animals at the processor and is also now an accepted method of determining maturity of animals for grading purposes – ensuring they fall into the A maturity category if they are under 30 months of age at harvest.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Balancer® Edge program to add new market opportunities to their progressive producer base,” said Doug Stanton, vice president of business development at IMI Global. “Buyers continue to push for more options when it comes to cattle marketing. They are looking to maximize their value opportunity with an animal by having many directions to go with it, and verification programs add that kind of flexibility. The Balancer Edge program will open new doors for producers to access markets they may not have been eligible for before, bringing more value back home to the ranch.”
IMI Global has been offering verification services to the beef industry since 1996 and is the uncontested leader in those services today. IMI is an accredited, independent verification company who evaluates specific attributes or practices associated with livestock production and provides an unbiased assessment of the ability of any animal or group of animals to meet those specific standards or claims. As a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc., IMI is able to offer beef producers a wide range of program offerings, including Source and Age, NHTC, Verified Natural Beef, GAP 5-Step Animal Welfare, grass-fed, organic, and many more.
The need for transparency in food production is only growing, and market options continue to reflect that. Whether it be the ask of high value trade partners, or those here domestically, verification programs tied to value-added markets are increasing every day. The Balancer® Edge SAV program is easily bundled with NHTC, Verified Natural, GAP 5-Step Animal Welfare, and more.
“Balancer® Edge provides the opportunity for producers utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics to participate in a breed-identified program and have their production practices verified to be able to add value and gain additional marketing opportunities for their cattle,” said Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director. “In addition, IMI Global’s recent partnership with the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator™ allows producers to quantify the genetic merit of the animal’s they are selling.”
For more information on the Balancer® Edge program, visit www.gelbvieh.org.
