When it comes to high performing European bulls, the Charolais has the goods.
Charolais Society of Australia general manager Colin Rex said the breed was ranked number one for European bulls in Australia, based on auction sales and registrations.
He said the breed's key characteristics including weight gain, muscle, and an ability to handle hot northern environments, were most attractive to beef producers.
After claiming the prestigious Horton Trophy at the 2019 Sydney Royal this year, the breed is preparing to celebrate 50 years since the birth of the first Charolais calf in Australia. The breed society will host the World Charolais Congress, starting with events at the 2020 Ekka in Brisbane and concluding in Sydney.
Mr Rex said the Charolais was a functional breed.
"The Charolais breed has been consistently performing since its introduction but really expanded in the early 2000s," he said.
"The beauty of the Charolais is that it stamps its progeny with a unique colour so it's quite obvious when you walk through saleyards, the penetration of the Charolais breed into northern markets.
"We have taken a high performance breed from France and the Australian breeders have done a tremendous job in making some modifications to suit the Australian environment and market.
"Our calving ease is so much better and the ability to finish to specifications but, importantly, without losing the traits for which they were introduced in Australia."
Long regarded among the top European breeds in the Australian beef industry, the rest of the world is also lining up to get a piece of Australian Charolais genetics.
"We have just reported on Australian semen sires being used in Sweden, UK, France, Canada, US, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam and China," he said. "Australia's reputation for export is so clean we have access to those markets. Some of those countries are looking for cattle to improve their native beef cattle herds, and by providing access to higher performing cattle and management tips, it is helping increase productivity in some of those countries."
The breed hopes to emulate its 2018 performance at the various paddock to palate, carcase competitions and prime cattle competitions this year.
The beauty of the Charolais is that it stamps its progeny with a unique colour so it's quite obvious when you walk through saleyards, the penetration of the Charolais breed into northern markets.
- Colin Rex
