New Zealand-First Charolais cattle in 1968.

NEW ZEALAND-40 YEARS OF CHAROLAIS CATTLE.

CHAROLAIS genetics were introduced to New Zealand in 1968 and since then the breed has proven to be adaptable and perform across a wide range of environments.

Stud breeders recognised the benefits of the Charolais breed’s high growth rates and carcase characteristics and set about evolving the breed through genetic selection to suit the New Zealand environment and farming conditions.

New Zealand Charolais genetics developed for grass-fed systems are combating the forces of the rising cost of production by producing fast growing cattle with superior carcase weights at a range of ages. Their high dressing out percentage and desired fat covers fit the payment systems currently operating in New Zealand. The changing environmental conditions along with consumer demands means continued attention is needed to keep adapting the breed.

Charolais are known for their weight for age and quality conformation. The breed is easy to market in the saleyards to finishers who know they will continue to grow and kill out well.

The colour marking of progeny make them easily recognisable by the calf producer within a terminal cross programme and as Charolais crosses cattle in the saleyards by finishers.

Richard and Liz Adkins farm 130 cows in Pakihikura, Northern Manawatu. They run Angus and Shorthorn cross cows which they put to a Charolais bull.

"About twelve years ago we decided to reassess our cattle policies and evaluate what terminal sires we should be mating with our mixed aged cows," they said.

"Charolais fitted our requirements and was the way we decided to go. We have since been well rewarded in our choice, with excellent results for our weaners at the sales."

Ian Donaldson from Okaroro Incorporation in Northland farms 550 cows and said his Charolais crosses had the potential to go on and perform for any farming system.

"We have a Hereford Angus base cow herd, so we get some variation in colour but no extremes, which makes it easy for the agents to draft lines.

"The calves show their growth and muscling ability early."

He said Charolais can go prime and heavy – and earlier compared to other breeds. Carcase EBVs (estimated breeding values) were an indication of carcase potential.

"Our cattle have a good reputation now and sell well at Kauri where there are so many Charolais crosses."

Mr Donaldson’s top line of 74 heifers sold for $638 and the top 34 steers sold for $755, average price over all calves was $629.

Charolais cross male progeny left entire for fast finishing bull beef are able to produce carcase weights in excess of 300kg at 15 to 16 months. This can be an extremely efficient production system in dry summer environments where the Charolais cross bulls are gone from the farm prior to Christmas, giving the farmer an economic advantage.

Farmers have the option to select sires with high retail beef yield and high 600-day growth as no finishing is required on manufacturing bull beef.

The Charolais cross steers and heifers have the benefit of extra carcase weight at young ages but with the added advantage that they can be marketed at any age without getting over-fat.

With the introduction of live animal scanning, farmers can select bulls with more positive rib and rump EBVs to assist in difficult finishing environments and also select for earlier maturing types.

Registered Charolais bulls have been adapted in New Zealand to produce progeny to fulfil the market requirements. Commercial farmers need to discuss their requirements of the end use of their progeny (whether the progeny are to be steered or left as bulls) so that they can select the type of sires to help produce the desired finished animal.

Calving Ease Direct EBVs are available to farmers. They are produced for Charolais Breeders New Zealand Inc registered Charolais through the Breedplan system. Calving Ease Direct EBVs indicate how this animal influences the birth of its own progeny.

More positive EBVs are favourable and indicate easier calving. With the guidance of calving ease EBVs farmers can now not only select Charolais bulls that are suitable for mature cows but select Charolais bulls that are suitable for use over dairy cows and well grown heifers.

John Lane, who farms 200 cows at Tepora in Wellsford, said the Charolais cross weaners grow to weights that command the best money.

"We have a beef base cow herd that suits our clients – the finishers from down south. I feel the beef base gives the calves better bone, stamina and constitution, which helps them hold their own though the dry summers.

He said Charolais were a popular choice in Wellsford, with the weaner fair "full of them", and always selling to repeat buyers.

"I find they calve well now which is a credit to the society and breeders who have corrected this fault."

Under the current payment system high carcase weight, muscle score and adequate fat cover, if applicable, are the main profit drivers and Charolais have proven their ability to achieve top results.

Commercial farmers need to be aware that only registered Charolais bulls have EBVs to help select the type of bull that will meet the end result they are attempting to achieve in their cattle breeding programmes.