Breeding Objectives

Our aim is to breed the sort of cattle that good cattlemen know will do the job but with EBVs to back them up, we have a zero tolerance policy on cattle with bad feet, poor leg structure, bad temperament or poor conformation. We expect our females to breed reliably and at an early age. We are selecting for above average growth and earlier maturity patterns with good carcase characteristics and most importantly positive calving ease. We have used bulls from Europe, America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia in our breeding program and will continue to use sires from any country as long as they have traits we want in our cattle.

Genestar testing for marbling, tenderness and feed efficiency is just a glimpse of the future and we are very excited about the possibilities. The fact that an animal can be tested not long after birth for traits that would have taken much longer to measure traditionally or the animal needed to be dead to measure is a major step forward. Although only some of the genes for these traits have been discovered at this stage there is no doubt that a very full picture will emerge in time.  Recently a large collaborative research project has proven the accuracy of the tenderness genes in carcase trials and soon ebvs will be released for tenderness using gene marker information.  Marker assisted ebvs for marbling and feed efficiency still require more accuracy so more gene markers will be needed. 

Used in conjunction with traditional scanning methods these tests are very important. It is interesting to note that some lines of Charolais carry a remarkable number of stars for marbling, tenderness and feed efficiency and in the future an animal may not be judged by coat colour or the advertising campaign surrounding it but by the genes it carries. 

Net Feed Intake (NFI) is a very important measurement affecting profitability and in recent trial work at Tullimba Research feedlot near Armidale the Charolais had the best NFI of all British and European cattle tested.  With all agriculture experiencing rising input costs it is more important than ever to take advantage of every way of increasing efficiency, be it by crossbreeding or using the most feed efficient cattle, either way Charolais will deliver the best returns.