Through the use of Charolais bull genetics, a Geurie producer is gaining access to an important operation tool and reaching his target markets.
Robert Millner, “Geurie Homestead”, Geurie, operates 600 cow breeders on 2800 hectares.
With a family history of breeding Charolais cattle spanning 20 years, the decision to introduce a Charolais bull over his Shorthorn and Angus cow breeders, was backed by genetic knowledge of what the breed is capable of bringing to a commercial herd.
The herd consists of an even split of Shorthorn and Black Angus cows, who are placed with a Charolais bull for three months, beginning in October.
Purchasing bulls from Rosedale Charolais, Blaney, Mr Millner said given the stud is owned by the Millner family, the use of the Rosedale bulls has allowed an important operation tool to be utilised.
“By using our bulls over the cows, it has been an important resource for the stud to see the bulls perform within a commercial operation – it’s a way of viewing first hand the performance of the bulls,” Mr Millner said.
Breeding aims include a vigorous selection of estimated breeding values (EBV’s) including early growth weight, looking to the 200-400 day-growth-weight as indicators, and calving ease.
“Using this selection guide, when we look for traits such as a conservative birth weight, we have good results including no calving problems, which is important,” he said.
“We also chase softness and carcase attributes - through using the Charolais bull, the bonus is we see yield and muscle quality, then we get fat coverage from the British breed cows – they’re hitting all the specs.”
Mr Millner continued, saying the standout positive among his commercial herd, has been the increased hybrid vigour achieved.
“Using a Charolais bull we have seen increased hybrid vigour in our calves, we are producing 400 kilogram calves at 12 months of age,” he said.
“Through weaning heavier and reaching the 12 month weight gain, we are finding we have versatility within the herd and we are reaching our target markets.”
Accessing multiple markets, the Geurie herd hit both the domestic and feedlot trades, including a consignment with supermarkets.
Hoping to see the versatility of the breed more widely utilised in the commercial arena, Mr Millner said if genetics continue to improve at the current rate, there is a possibility for the Charolais to become a stable contributor to the wider market.
“We have been apart of steer trials in the past and they are in the top 10 to 15 percent – this shows that all the way through the market chain they are performing,” he said.
