Secretary: Sam Edwards Tel: 0410 678 458 E: charolaissa@outlook.com
Western Australia:
Chairperson: Kevin Yost Tel: 0400 651 021
E: libertycharolais@gmail.com
Secretary: Elle Craig Tel: 0428 275 227
E: charolaiswa@hotmail.com
Tattoo Letter for 2025: W Charolais Youth Committee
Chairperson: Joshua Fenech Tel: 0418 605 959
Secretary: Amy Whitechurch Tel: 0437 617 149
Treasurer: Sophie Inder Tel: 0476 209 643
Committee: Eleni Fogden Tel: 0427 872 272
Amanda Cavenagh Tel: 0428 849 802
Gabby Stokes Tel: 0409 613 260
Youth Committee Email: charolaisyouthau@gmail.com
Year Identification for
Born Calves:
Features
20
32
Worth Their Weight
Queensland Feedlot & Carcase Trial
Another great cohort of Charolais infused cattle were evaluated on feed and over the hooks. The trial run under industry standard feeding conditions generates solid evidence of Charolais attributes. The trial results support the Charolais “Cross into Profit” motto, read the full results on page 20.
Charolais Charbray International Youth Program 2024
The Charolais Society of Australia hosted the 2024 International Youth Program. Delegates from Estonia, Scotland, England, Canada, United States and New Zealand interacted with our Youth program and learnt about farming and Charolais in Australia.
56
Auction Exchange Youth Stampede
The Charolais Youth Stampede returned in 2024 from a Covid hiatus. Charolais youth converged onto the Inverell Showground for a great weekend in October. Read more in the report with the results.
64
Canadian World Congress 2024
Read the full report on the 2024 World Congress hosted by the Canadian Charolais Association. Helge and Candace By presented a comprehensive view into the Canadian beef industry and culture starting in Ontario and concluding in Alberta. A tour to remember.
President’s Perspective
As a breeder and board member it gives me great pleasure to see Charolais achieving success across many aspects of the industry. Last year, 2024 has been an active year with many events for the breed and our faith in the breed has been proven time and time again. Highlights since the last report in July include interbreed success at Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne Royal shows, the highly successful Auction Exchange Charolais Youth Stampede, the results of the Queensland Region Feedlot and Carcase trial and spring bull sales. Reports on these activities are featured in this publication.
Our Youth committee with the assistance of mentors delivered a tremendously successful youth stampede at Inverell, NSW with over 50 participants having the opportunity to increase their knowledge, network and just have fun. I extend the Societies appreciation to all our sponsors, educators and members that helped across the weekend. Congratulations to all the participants, it was a pleasure to be involved in this event and see how keen the youth were to take on new ideas.
Hosting the International Charolais youth program was a highlight for the year. Eight international delegates from six countries spent ten days touring Australian Charolais operations, taking in the EKKA and some tourism opportunities. We had the opportunity to host the delegates at 4 Ways to tour our herd and what a great bunch of youth they were. The interaction these delegates had with our members, both young and more mature is positive and has benefits for the breed globally. We farm in a global environment and having strong international networks with fellow Charolais breeders can only assist us in the future. We look forward to sending more Australian delegates to future youth programs internationally. Canadian Charolais are host for the 2025 program.
The results presented at a dinner for the Queensland Feedlot & Carcase trial strongly supported the performance attributes of the Charolais breed. This trial, has now analysed over 800 head offering entrants performance feedback on their cattle and a database for the Society to quantify performance.
At the board meeting in October the spring bull sale season was not complete, however early data indicates strong demand for Charolais sires both in the auction ring and paddock sales. The data indicated more bulls sold at auction than last year with a stronger clearance rate. These results are largely driven by the commercial sector which indicates that our bulls are performing in the real world. Sale reports in rural papers regularly quote Charolais market toppers which is very encouraging.
Our goal should be to maintain Charolais as the largest European breed of cattle in the country and the number one choice for a terminal sire. The data, General Manager Colin presented to a recent board meeting indicates we are on the right pathway. Our registrations are increasing and bull sales at auctions have shown positive signs. Across the beef industry we can safely say the Charolais breed has become a staple genetic source for many commercial breeders. As Charolais Society members we must all take responsibility to breed and offer genetics to the industry that are capable of delivering the results our clients demand. That could be increased calf drop from strong libido, increased weaning weights or excellent weight gain and finishing ability for the feeding sector. One of the reasons the Charolais breed has been so successful has been the attention to the core breed attributes we associate with the breed.
We have an opportunity to increase Charolais market share in the next few years with the responsibility falling on all members to contribute. We all need to shout the Charolais benefits to the industry and promote what we know the breed can achieve. Many hands make light work.
I extend my appreciation to my fellow board members including Sam Taylor who has recently joined the board as the Victoria Region delegate. These colleagues have contributed to robust discussion with breed advancement as their core objective. Deearn, Hayley and Colin in the office have continued to provide great support for the membership and operate a very capable administration. We are very lucky to have this team working for our breed. Looking forward to a successul Charolais year in 2025, with good rain, sales and market results.
David Whitechurch
BRENDALE TAB (P)(R/F)
The Champion....
Age: 24 mths Weight: 1078kg, E.M.A. Scan: 156cm2
Interbreed Champion Male EKKA 2024 Supreme Interbreed Pair (Male)
Sire: Colinta Levi (P) Dam: Palgrove Elegance N565E (P)(R/F)
One of the highlights in the Charolais year is the Annual Toogoolawah (Qld) Weaner sale hosted by agents Shepherdson and Boyd in May. The sale features large runs of Charolais cross calves predominantly from Bos Indicus dams, bred on forest country. The Charolais cross calves feature strongly in the primary runs on offer and are keenly sought after.
In 2024 the sale offered 5,320 head with over 70% Charolais influenced (Slightly more if Charbray progeny are included). Charolais cross weaners topped at $1370 per head in 2024 with a line from Paradise Grazing, Nanango.
In a Queensland Country Life article, Toogoolawah agent, Ben Fogg (Shepherdson and Boyd) said “most of the Charolais cattle in his area were crossbred. A lot of people cross Charolais over Brahman cross cows, Santa cross or Droughtmaster cross cows. The Bos Indicus cow handle our tough coastal conditions a bit better and then they are crossing the Charolais bulls over them. Using Charolais had massive benefits”.
“Charolais give a consistent line of weaners no matter what cow they put them over, and they also get good growth out of them. A lot of our clients are crossing them over Bos Indicus cows, and getting that hybrid vigour and the extra growth. At the end of the day it’s the weight you get paid for. We get buyers who continually come back to buy these Charolais cross cattle because they do so well for them. Charolais cross cattle suit most markets, they suit the trade market right through to export markets”.
One of the vendors in the annual Toogoolawah weaner sale are the Gittens family near Barambah. Scott and his parents, John and Beryl run 600 Droughtmaster type females in a self replacing herd plus joining to a Charolais as a terminal sire. They target the Charolais market at Toogoolawah and have found the Charolais Droughtmaster cross are by far the best type of animal for that market. The Gittens aim for their Charolais cross weaners to weigh 300kg at 7 to 10 months although the tops can be up around 350kg. “We find that with the Charolais influence, our target weights are easily achievable. The muscling and meat that you can pack into those 300kg plus animals makes for a beautifully muscled and fat weaner”.
Another Toogoolawah vendor is Eskdale Cattle managed by Ben Fogg. Eskdale Cattle regularly feature in the top prices at Toogoolawah. Ben said “the Charolais just puts some punch into our calves, adding extra weight, bone, softness and muscling. The crossbred calves are generally up to 20 to 30 kilograms heavier than the pure Santa Gertrudis steers”.
If you are in southern Queensland in early May keep an eye out for the Toogoolawah Weaner Sale, it’s well worth a drive to see Charolais genetics doing what they do best!
Cross Into Profit With Charolais
The Charolais influence is plain to see in the weaners at the annual Toogoolawah Weaner sale.
80 Cows and Calves
Rejoined and ready to join.
15 PTIC Heifers
Featuring elite red factor heifers.
5 Show Prospect Heifers
Both red and white.
Our “Heart of the Herd” Female Sale offers outstanding Charolais genetics. Whether starting out with entry level females or you’re ready to step up to the next level and build on what you have, there will be female’s to suit everyone’s goals.
Glenlea Beef has a long track record of breeding Charolais and we are in our 51st year in 2025. Our focus with our stud female clients is helping you make your purchases provide a great financial return and your personal satisfaction from producing breed leading charolais cattle.
Purchasing your Glenlea females is just the start of our relationship. We can provide full-service advice to our new stud clients, including breeding, feeding and marketing advice, sales outlets for the best bulls you produce, and so much more!
It’s our service to our stud clients that sets us apart from other breeders selling stud females. Our goal is to make your charolais breeding program a success!
Performance Red Factor Cows
White Cows
GM’s View
Colin Rex, General Manager
CROSS INTO PROFIT, a message so simple and yet such a powerful message for commercial producers to access a breeding pathway. The science of heterosis (crossbreeding) is proven across so many species and production systems like Australian Prime Lamb, live by it. The beef industry still has a way to catch up and it is important as Charolais breeders we focus on delivering the genetics to provide the profit pathway producers desire. Our Canadian colleagues use the by line, Be Identifiable, Use Charolais (no tag required), our cover image speaks to that line in volumes. A brindle cow with a calf at foot that is undeniably sired by a Charolais. You can see the muscle expression developing and the colour consistency our sires are renowned for delivering. True, we do not eat colour but we market it. Look at the image on the previous page of Charolais sired weaners indicating tremendous uniformity. Buyers want the whole pen to perform and our Charolais sired weaners have a strong track record here. Charolais sires are renowned for adding performance to their progeny.
The results from the Queensland Region trials are outlined in detail from page 20. One of the biggest take home messages from the data analysis is the value potential of a Charolais cross heifer. On feed she just keeps growing adding carcase weight whilst still finishing easily. As a commercial beef breeder, remember half your annual production are heifers! Value the whole drop.
Currently Charolais bull demand is driven by actual knowledge of what the breed does in the Australian environment. The new and shiny tag is long gone and 55 years of performance in local conditions have set the ethos of the breed. There is still room for many more producers to cross over and harness Charolais heterosis and this will always be a society goal. Later in this edition is a recap on the 2024 bull sales. These reports show the value the Charolais breed is recognised by the commercial industry. At auction we sold more bulls, increased the average price and amassed the second highest gross value for sale bulls since the breed arrived in Australia in 1970. Some 29 bulls sold at auction for $30,000 with a significant number of these sold to commercial producers. A Beef Central article on bull sale trends at the end of October indicated strong trends for Charolais including auction clearance increasing from 86% to 94%. Their comment was “these figures highlight strong demand for certain resilient breeds, as producers align breeding choices with environmental resilience”.
The other two features in this edition I would like to preempt in this column are the International Youth program (page 32) and the World Congress in Canada (page 64). Agriculture is and most likely always will be a “people’s industry”. Values such as integrity, honesty, reliability and many more, drive deals in this industry. Both of these events highlight across the global Charolais industry, core values exist in volume. The strength of character of Charolais industry drivers is second to none and is critical to the respect our breed generates in the industry. Our international youth delegates that we hosted for ten days in August were an outstanding cohort of young people. We have seen firsthand the value in sending Australian youth to these international programs and it was a pleasure to host our international visitors this year. Our Youth committee had the opportunity to network with these delegates and we hope that this networking continues and builds a stronger Charolais global influence.
General Manager Colin Rex presenting Canadians Craig Scott, Candace and Helge By, appreciation gifts for hosting the 2024 Charolais World Congress. Image courtesy Charolais Banner.
Stud sire: ANC SABLE S368F (PP)
Stud sire: ANC SKIDOO S799F (PP)
Stud sire: ANC TEACHER T256F (P)
Stud sire: ANC STUART S39F (PP)
GM’s View
...cont from page 14
Blast from the past! when I was breeding Charolais (19962001), I held the position of Publicity Officer for the New South Wales Region. Searching in the archives recently I found a press release I wrote and sent to head office on the 28th March 2000. An extract from that document penned back at the turn of the century included the following;
“The vision of cattleman back in the last century when they imported Charolais genetics into Australia has proved justified as the breed strives forward. Being the first of the European breeds to enter, the Charolais could have easily been the “lamb to sacrifice”. Perseverance and determination to impact on the Australian cattle industry has seen the evolution of a uniquely adapted Australian Charolais.” …“with the benefit of outstanding young individuals like the above (Donna Knox, Kylie Bridges, Belinda Turner), a well-educated membership and the natural attributes of the Charolais breed, breeders can look to the future with confidence. Having evolved the breed to meet current market requirements, Charolais breeders have the diversity within the breed to meet future changes if and when required. The Charolais may have been the first European breed into Australia, but Australian breeders are convinced we will be there when “the lights are turned out”.
So far, the industry lights are still on and blazing strongly although there is some white noise about our social license to farm. As people involved in the agricultural industry we are accustomed to dealing with external influences that can significantly impact our production.
Our youth members mentioned in the press release and many more like them have gone on to contribute to our breeds development and pleasingly our breed has maintained a broad genetic base.
The task at hand now is to further increase the impact of Charolais into the commercial breeding herds of Australia. I feel that last year has shown some indications of change in the industry and certainly adherence to sustainability pressures moving forward may work in the Charolais favour. Talk is, smaller framed breeding females may be sustainably beneficial. Commercially that may make sense if those females produce to capacity by using Charolais genetics to increase weaning weights. Having scope to turn off the same weight at a younger age, has sustainability advantages. Whilst there is some convoluted messaging coming through, to ensure that we have the license to raise beef cattle unfettered into the future, one thing is clear, our future product must hit targets with great accuracy.
Here in Australia we are fortunate to have a gold standard performance evaluation system in BREEDPLAN and the brain power at the hub of that, Animal Genetics Breeding Unit (AGBU) is amazing. Use the science and start now if you have not already, the old adage of “but we have always done it, that way” may not hold water in the future. Far better to be on the pathway than starting from scratch if push becomes shove with regulations and sustainability accountability. A focus of the next Technical Conference to be hosted by Charolais Charbray Herd book de Mexico will be reduction of methane and sustainability. These are conversations we need to be part of. Charolais have a seat in the Southern Multibreed Project and data from this five year project is set to flow into our analysis very soon. This project includes many hard to measure and new traits that offer benefit to our breed moving forward.
Published information from Meat and Livestock Australia latest intentions survey indicate more rain and more signs of a stronger cattle market ahead appear to be encouraging beef producers to focus on breeding and building up numbers. Optimism is strongest in the country’s biggest cattle state, Queensland, with 82 per cent of those surveyed intending to either increase or retain their numbers. Most of those cited “good summer rainfall was having a strong influence on their more positive outlook”. Overall, the results found that one in two producers had a positive outlook, resulting in a net positive sentiment increase of 11pc to 34pc compared to the last survey in November 2023.
We can all look forward to a positive 2025 for Charolais breeders, be it bull breeders or end users. We have an article desired across many levels of the marketplace with well earned credentials. The Australian Charolais has been a revelation to the Australian beef industry and continues to offer profit pathways for commercial breeders prepared to utilise crossbreeding principles.
Colin Rex, General Manager
Charolais Charbray International Executive committee, Sven-Olaf Hagg (Sweden), Chairperson Breed Development Committee, Candace By (Canada), Secretary, Antonio Delgado (Mexico) President, Colin Rex (Australia) Vice President. Absent Hugo Retailleau (France) Vice President and Cecile Lane (France) Treasurer. Image courtesy Charolais Banner.
PARK CHAROLAIS
David & Janene Ellis
m: 0427 170 965
e: david.kooyong@hotmail.com 318 Fishermans Rd, Coolup WA 6214
19th March 2025 Watch for the Kooyong sale team Supreme Bull Sale, Brunswick WA
FIFTY TWO YEARS OF BUILDING PERFORMANCE PEDIGREES
Kooyong Power (PP)(R/F) Sire of Kooyong Titanium (P)
Kooyong Glen (P)(R/F) Grandsire of Kooyong Sunset
Kooyong Eric (P) Great Grandsire Kooyong Sunset
– Elder’s Blackjack x Harvie Redemption
Elder’s Blackjack, Palgrove Rockerfella,
Worth Their Weight
The 2024 Feedlot and Carcase competition conducted by the Queensland Region attracted entries from across Queensland and northern New South Wales including ten new entrants. Competing for a prize pool valued over $10,000, the competition attracted a great cohort of cattle.
The 284 head this year brings the accumulated total for the four years the event has processed cattle to over 800 head. The data generated by this competition is building a valuable database for future reference. Entries in the Queensland Region’s Feedlot and Carcase Competition highlighted the Charolais advantage in profitability. Charolais Society General Manager, Colin Rex said this year’s competition was an exceptional showcase of what the breed can achieve. Run under industry standard feeding regimes this competition reflects real world commercial operations. “This event takes a team to coordinate and the contribution of the team at Bartholomew & Co, Beaudesert is instrumental to the success that this event has achieved,” Mr Rex said. “They have been with the Charolais Society for all four trials to date and have proven fantastic in marketing the cattle to ensure exhibitors are rewarded for the quality cattle entered. This competition is building a bit of momentum and we see it as a very good way of showcasing what the Charolais breed can achieve,” he said. “When you evaluate pens of cattle like these with a wide variety of dams, you have to be impressed with the ability of the Charolais sire to stamp their progeny with desirable attributes” he added.
Freestone Feedlot, Warwick have hosted all the trials and all entrants are fed on the feedlots normal ration. This year, Zoetis sponsored the trial and provided the induction treatments for all entrants under their IMMUNE READY protocols.
The trial undertakes to replicate real world feeding conditions in the Queensland environment. Through the trial, feedback on weight gain, carcase quality and yield abilities are generated for entrants to analysis. The competition also generates great statistical information on gains and carcase attributes for the Charolais Society to quantify the attributes of the breed. Looking at a graphic analysis of carcase quality and lean meat yield the Charolais and Charolais cross cattle excelled in both traits which are important contributors to profitability. The Charolais breed is renowned for weight gain and adding carcase merit and applying pressure to eating quality traits will add to the value proposition.
The carcases were graded under Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Index and yield measurements. The MSA index is a single number and standard national measure of the predicted eating quality and potential merit of a carcase. Meat Livestock Australia reported the MSA program delivered a record $204 million in estimated additional farm gate returns to MSA beef producers in 2020-21.
The weight gain on feed section of the trial consists of Charolais cross cattle fed together for 106 days at the Freestone Feedlot before being processed. All cattle were given a settling period after entry into the feedlot until the starting date for feedlot weight gain. With cattle entered from all over Queensland and Northern New South Wales, this gives all cattle the opportunity to fill and settle in their pen groups before the appraisal of weight gain commences.
Charolais heifers are just as good as the steers when it comes to weight gain, we have known that for a long time, but this trial has proved it.. “
Ross Sticklen, Queensland Region President
All cattle were weighed exiting the feedlot with the daily weight gain calculated over 106 days. No cattle in the trial received HGP treatments. The competition was open to milk, two and four tooth animals and carcases were appraised in weight ranges. In the pen classes all three carcases were required to fit the specifications of the class to qualify for awards.
In the feedlot performance for the heifers entered, Alan and Natalie Goodland, Clare Charolais took the top honours when their entry Tag 510 placed first with a gain of 272kg over 106 days. This equates to 2.566kg day. Reserve honours for Heifer weight gain was Ross and Paula Warren, Elridge Charolais with Tag 316 gaining 271kg for a daily gain of 2.556kg/day. In the 2023 event, Elridge pipped Clare in this section. The top ten heifers in this section all gained over 2.20kg/day with no HGP. Bauhinia Park Charolais had the third best heifer feedlot performance.
The top two heifers placed second and third overall for feedlot performance. The ability of a Charolais sired heifer to perform on feed as an equal to a steer is a trait that is worth money to the industry. Cattle producers can benefit from purchasing Charolais cross heifers and can either breed on with them or finish them and still achieve great feed conversion and gains.
The same two studs performed well in the steer section of the feedlot performance achieving the same placing. Clare Charolais topped the steer section with their Tag 159 gaining 274kg (2.585kg/day). This animal’s performance gave Clare Charolais the Champion Feedlot gain of the trial. Elridge placed second in this section and Moongool Charolais took third.
Table 1: Feedlot Weight Gain Heifers
Table 2: Feedlot Weight Gain Steers
Worth Their Weight
...cont from page 21
In the Youth Division open to Charolais members under 25 years of age the Cooper Girls from Jeebropilly won both Champion and Reserve Weight Gain awards. Their best performer was Tag 34 with a daily weight gain of 1.745kg followed closely by Tag 35 on 1.717kg/day. The youth section was initiated and supported by Greg Nicholson, Black Duck Charolais to encourage younger entrants.
Within the competition all animals are judged as individuals and can be entered in a Pen of Three. Pens of Three must all process out within the same weight range and are evaluated to promote consistency across a drop. The top pen of steers was entered by Clare Charolais with their pen gaining a combined 643kg. Moongool Charolais placed second with 635kg and Palgrove Charolais third with 632kg. New commercial entrants, Grassbrook Pty Ltd, Rushes Creek, NSW placed equal fourth (620kg) and fifth (613kg) in their first year of competing.
Elridge Charolais took the top spot in the Pen of heifers with their team gaining a combined 677kg. This was 34kg more than the top pen of steers reinforcing the value in the Charolais heifer. Clare Charolais took the next 4 places with their second and third teams gaining 675kg and 664kg respectively. New entrant, 4 Ways Charolais, Inverell placed 6th with their pen gaining 615kg.
In the Carcase division a commercial breeder took the top honours. The Stanton family trading as AK & WA Stanton from Goomeri took home the champion steer and grand champion carcase awards. Their grand champion steer scored 87.63 points on the hook. The carcase had a hot standard carcase weight of 260.2kg, a MSA index of 62.65, P8 fat of 12mm, an eye muscle area of 72cm2, and a lean meat yield of 60.45. Wade Stanton said he had targeted the winning traits, but the result was unexpected. I love that side of it, the genetics and thinking about the carcase,” Wade said. “We normally run a composite breed of cow, with about 25 per cent Brahman for coat, and fat content. It was a surprise to get the win.”. The Stanton’s winning steer came from the lightweight class.
Brendan and Marnie Scheiwe from Brendale Charolais at Tallegalla, Queensland had the Reserve Champion Carcase with their steer entry. Scoring 87.05, just 0.58 of a point behind the grand champion their Colinta Levi (P) sired Angus cross steer won the Carcase Class 281 to 340.9kg. This steer gained 185kg over the trial and killed out with a 59.34% Lean Meat Yield and 11mm of fat on the P8 site. Regular carcase winners Chris Knox and Helen Alexander placed second in this class with their entry scoring 86.76 points. This was the fourth best steer carcase over the 144 entries.
The overall third steer carcase came second in the light class 240-280.9kg for commercial entrants BT & RM McLay from Inverell, NSW. This carcase scored 87.03 points.
In the Pen of Three steer Carcases Palgrove Pastoral Co had success taking both the Champion and Reserve Champion pens with their crossbred teams. The Champion pen scored 255.92 points and their Reserve pen 255.12 points. Palgrove’s winning team had an average HSCW of 319.7, MSA index of 61.1, P8 of 14, EMA of 79cm2, and a Lean Meat Yield of 58.5%.
Palgrove general manager Ben Noller accepting their awards said “the awards showcased the Charolais breed’s strengths. Improving profitability comes down to carcase traits, that’s where the Charolais breed is so prevalent, in traits such as eye muscle area and fat cover. I still think the Charolais breed is under-utilized. The cattle perform really well in terms of bang for buck.”
Jilabri Family Trust placed third and new entrants Grassbrook Pty Ltd placed fourth and fifth. Grassbrook also had a team of heifers place fourth in the pen section highlighting the uniformity of their cattle entered.
Champion heifer carcase was won by Greg and Kel Kelly, Juandah Charolais, Gulugaba Queensland, supporters of the event since inception. Greg and Kel took the champion double also winning the Reserve champion heifer carcase. Both heifers were in the Class 240-280.9kg class. The winning heifer scored 86.53points and the Reserve 86.14 points. Lean Meat Yield % was exceptional with 61.97% and 61.26% respectively.
Images Courtesy: Zac Braxton-Smith, QCL
Paula Warren collecting the Grand Champion Carcase Banner on behalf of the winner, AK & WA Stanton from Glen Poole, Teys Australia.
Greg Kelly, Juandah Charolais with Queensland Region Chairperson Ross Sticklen and the award for Champion Heifer Carcase.
Sponsor Marnie Scheiwe, Brendale Charolais presenting Ivan Price, Moongool Charolais the ribbon for Highest MSA Index for a Heifer.
Supreme Performance Animal
Clare Charolais, Theodore Qld.
Alan Goodland, Clare Charolais and Bartholomew & Co’s Garth Weatherall with the banner for Supreme Performance Exhibit. Image courtesy: Zac Braxton-Smith, QCL
Juandah also exhibited the grand champion carcase in 2022 with a heifer and 2021 with a steer. Juandah Charolais co-owner Greg Kelly said he and his wife Kel had targeted diverse attributes. “We’re trying to breed a fertile female and still have a good carcase, with attributes like IMF, you just have to know what genetics you’re using, what works and doesn’t work. We use mostly our own genetics, and a mixture of other studs.”
The two heifer champions combined with another Juandah heifer to win Champion Pen of Three Heifer Carcases with 260.80 points. Clare Charolais placed second with their team scoring 250.33 points and Moongool Charolais placed third with 249.33 points.
In the Carcase Section for youth members of the Charolais Society, CCJ’s Charolais won Champion and Reserve carcases. Their champion scored 84.74 points and their reserve 84.69 points.
This year awards were introduced to recognise carcases that achieved high Meat Standard Australia (MSA) Index scores. In the Heifer section Moongool Charolais, Yuleba Qld placed first and second with MSA Index scores of 63.42 and 62.62. Bauhinia Park Charolais placed third with an index score of 62.60.
Sponsored by Charolais Society of Australia. (Qld)
Worth Their Weight
...cont from page 25
Bauhinia Park won the steer section with an index of 64.56. Commercial producers the Curran Family (Pimlico Pty Ltd) from Glenmorgan placed second with 64.32 with a flatback Charolais cross steer with some content. This highlights the ability of the Charolais sire to add carcase merit to Bos Indicus type females. This carcase came third in the 341 to 450.9kg class. Third in the MSA Index class for steers was Natalie Goodland with an index of 64.04.
Carcase Results: Steers
All cattle entering the competition are valued on weight range and sale quotations from the previous day. This year the quotations were from the Roma Sale.
The value of the cattle from processing is then used to calculate a dollar value add during the feeding period. Ross and Paula Warren, Elridge Charolais had the two top gaining heifers with an increase of $1,701.44 and $1,658.93. The Whitechurch Family from 4 Ways Charolais, Inverell NSW placed third with their heifer gaining $1,567.54.
Interesting across all entrants the top 23 animals in $ value gained were heifers. This highlights value in putting Charolais heifers on feed. Feeding a Charolais cross heifer is profitable and this is a major plus for the breed. In the steer section Rory Bodey’s steer gained $1,378.92 in value winning the class. Clare Grazing had a steer gain $1,276.76 and a Moongool Charolais steer placed third with an increase of $1,224.88.
The pinnacle of the competition is for a Supreme Performance Exhibit. This is done firstly in sex divisions then one animal is evaluated supreme.
-
1st - AK & WA Stanton, Goomeri, Qld. Tag #: 199 Pts: 87.63pts
1st - BP & MJ Scheiwe, Brendale Charolais Tallegalla, Qld. Tag #: 25 Pts: 87.05pts
1st - Palgrove Pastoral Co Pty Ltd Bukkulla, NSW. Tag #: 196 Pts: 85.42pts
Ranking points are awarded for Feedlot gain, Carcase Points and the dollar increase in value. This year the Supreme Performance Exhibit was Clare Charolais stud with their steer (Tag 20) placing 5th in feedlot gain, second in $ value add and 27th in carcase placing. Clare Grazing’s winning animal for the supreme performance exhibit had an exit value of $2,687.40, an overall gain of 238kg and an average daily gain of 2kg. Clare principal Alan Goodland said the award was humbling. “To be considered in the same league as the big studs is pretty special,” he said. “We have focused on softening in recent years, and have targeted higher IMFs (intramuscular fat).”
Whilst competition is one aspect of the event, the opportunity to benchmark against other breeders and receive comprehensive feedback is a very important goal of the competition. The competition is also building a substantial database of information for the Charolais breed and can be used for analysis in the future. To date we have evaluated over 800 Charolais and Charolais cross animals in these trials. It would be remiss not to mention the efforts of our agents, Bartholomew and Co, Beaudesert. Garth and Carolyn and their team contribute an enormous effort to coordinate our feeders, Freestone Feedlot and processors, Teys Australia to enable this competition to run.
Our major sponsors, Rosewood Veterinary Services, sponsors Black Duck, Brendale, Charnelle, Lilydale and Lockyer Charolais are also greatly appreciated. We also extend our appreciation to those members that contribute to make this event run smoothly. This competition has a great prize pool and requires no breaking in, feed mixing or major work. Open to Charolais cross cattle from anywhere in Australia, maybe you should consider entering in 2025!
Cross Into Profit With Charolais
Champion Pen of Three Steer Carcasses - Palgrove Pastoral Co Pty Ltd
Tag #: 189, 190, 191 Team points: 255.92pts
Reserve Champion Pen of Three Steer Carcasses - Palgrove Pastoral Co Pty Ltd
Tag #: 192, 193, 194 Team points: 255.38pts
Left: Ben Scheiwe, Brendale Charolais collects the Rosette for Reserve Champion Steer Carcase from sponsor Paul Scheiwe, Lockyer Charolais.
Images Courtesy: Zac Braxton-Smith, QCL
Ben Noller, Palgrove Charolais collects the Rosette for Champion Pen of Three Steer Carcases from sponsor Dr Marnie Scheiwe, Rosewood Veterinary Services, Rosewood Qld.
Charlotte Cooper representing CCJ’s Charolais collecting the Youth Exhibitor Champion Carcase Rosette from sponsor Greg Nicholson, Black Duck Charolais.
of Three Heifer Carcasses - Juandah Grazing Pty Ltd
Carcasses - Clare Charolais
Kenmere Charolais
12th Annual Bull Sale 14th March 2025
“Moorak”, Rankins Lane, Holbrook NSW
BREEDPLAN Recorded A Charolais “Five Star” level recording herd.
Dominant Poll Line
Proven Pedigrees
Semen Tested Bulls
DNA Tested Bulls
Scan Data on Sale Bulls
All calves weighed at birth
International Youth Down Under
For the first time since its inception in 2018, the Charolais Charbray International Youth Program headed to the southern hemisphere. Eight delegates from Estonia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America recently toured Australia and interacted with our Australian Charolais Youth.
The Charolais Society of Australia hosted the International Youth Program commencing at the Brisbane EKKA and concluding in Sydney. The nine-day program gave the international delegates the opportunity to network with our Australian Youth and breeders at the EKKA before heading inland to see Charolais in paddock environments.
With a key goal of the program to foster international networking and self-development for our future leaders of Charolais Charbray International and member organisations the program has many long-term benefits. Previously we have sent Heidi Nicholls and Sarah Nesbitt to Canada and Amanda Cavenagh to the USA and all have given exceptional reports on their experiences.
Our international visitors included Deana Barfoote from New Zealand, Tuuli Pikmetts and Dirgis Jõemaa from Estonia, Ethan Shoemake from the United States of America, Justin Harcourt and Maddison Saunders from Canada, Charlotte Hitchen from England and Edward Scott from Scotland.
The delegates and the Charolais Youth committee met for dinner on the first night to welcome our visitors. This function gave everybody an opportunity to meet before heading to the Charolais judging at the EKKA on Saturday. Delegates observed how we judge in Australia and the type of cattle in the showring as well as see the Bos Indicus breeds, which some were not familiar with.
The interbreed judging and parade of champions was of great interest to our visitors. During the day our youth committee hosted the visitors and had the opportunity to discuss different farming practices and developing the Charolais and Charbray breeds into the future. Strong bonds were formed during this time and this will be of benefit into the future. After judging an informal get together was held at the Jubilee Hotel where more members had the opportunity to network with the delegates.
Sunday morning the tour headed up to Mount Coot-tha for spectacular views over Brisbane before heading to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to see our unique fauna.
International delegates in the Youth Program: Justin Harcourt (Canada), Deana Barfoote (New Zealand), Ethan Shoemake (USA), Charlotte Hitchen (England), Dirgis Jõemaa (Estonia), Tuuli Pikkmets (Estonia), Maddison Saunders (Canada) & Edward Scott (Scotland) enjoying a Sydney Harbour cruise on the tours final day.
L-R:At Brisbane the Youth committee interviewed the international delegates and loaded the video on their Facebook page. Amy Whitechurch is flanked by Estonians, Dirgis Jõemaa and Tuuli Pikkmets with Sophie Inder handling the tech. Amanda Cavenagh, Deana Barfoote (NZ) and Maddi Saunders (Canada) at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Ethan Shoemake (USA) getting up close to a kangaroo. Team building at Adrenaline Sports go cart racing.
“Gathering with fellow Charolais enthusiasts from around the globe was truly inspiring. The exchange of ideas and experiences highlighted the incredible dedication we all share for advancing this remarkable breed. The future of Charolais is bright, and driven by our collective passion and commitment. “
We had a bus driver today and extend a thank you to John for his insights into the local area. On board we had the international visitors, youth committee members Eleni Fogden and Amanda Cavenagh, Nicole Nicholls and General Manager Colin. The team had the opportunity to pat kangaroos and see many other species of wildlife. After lunch we headed to Adrenaline Sports for some team bonding and light entertainment.
Some friendly competitive streaks were unearthed Go Cart racing with some participants strongly focussed on fast times. We discovered our bus driver had great kart skills as well. In the final race Edward Scott from Scotland handled the track best to take fastest time and win some Charolais merch. Tonight, we headed up the range to stay in Toowoomba and bid farewell to our driver.
After breakfast on Day 3 we hired a 22-seater bus and Nicole Nicholls, Tookawhile Charolais became our bus driver for the rest of the tour. Nicole’s daughter Heidi was a participant in the first International exchange in Canada and proved to be an excellent driver and co-host. Thank you, Nicole, for giving up a week to assist with the tour, your efforts were immensely appreciated by all.
First visit today was Branch View Charolais at Dalby run by Andrew and Jemma Postle. Both Andrew and Jemma were actively involved in Charolais youth in their younger days and were excellent hosts. A tasty morning tea greeted the delegates on arrival, before the opportunity to inspect heifers and bulls yarded on display. There was great interaction from our visitors with Jemma and Andrew as they started to develop an appreciation of Australian farming and Branch Views operations. After thanking Andrew and Jemma the tour continued towards Chinchilla.
cont page 34....
Charlotte Hitchen, Yorkshire, British Charolais Cattle Society
Andrew and Jemma Postle, Branch View Charolais flanked by the International Delegates.
Jemma Postle, Branch View Charolais with Charlie Hitchen (UK) & Ethan Shoemake (USA).
Deana Barfoote (NZ), Andrew Postle, Branch View Charolais & Maddi Saunders (Canada).
Ben Noller, Palgrove Charolais showed the tour Palgrove sale bulls.
International Youth Down Under
...cont from page 33
At Palgrove’s Glen Wilga property, Ben Noller gave a run down of the Palgrove operation and the new bull selling facility. The scope of this operation was eye opening to some of the delegates especially when Ben started discussing cattle numbers. The tour inspected the handling facility at the sale site. Ben O’Dwyer then joined the group for a tour of sale bulls onsite. Delegates had access to the online catalogue and favourable comments were made about the type and consistency of the bulls inspected. The group were also introduced to the Ultrablack program briefly and how they fitted into the Palgrove operations.
A quick pit stop for snacks at Chinchilla before the team settled in for the two hour drive to Roma. Tunes and conversation made the road trips enjoyable.
After overnighting in Roma, the group quickly visited the Roma Bottle Tree before heading to the Roma Selling Complex and took in the visitor tour. The tours are run by graziers and was informative across many aspects of the sale yard operations and the beef industry. Around 5,000 head were yarded in wet conditions and our delegates got an education in how the cattle are sold and weighed. A look through the Val Harms Interactive Centre concluded the visit and the tour rolled onto Surat.
At Surat there was time for a visit to the Cobb and Co museum to stretch the legs before heading to Moongool and meeting up with Ian, Dell, Ivan, Helen and Iva Price. Ivan and Ian gave the group a background on the Moongool operation and their breeding objectives. Braving the abnormal strong winds, the group then headed to the yards where there was a comprehensive display of bulls and some breeding females.
During all the visits it was informative discussing with the international visitors the difference in type from their country to Australia. This exchange helps everybody develop an understanding of variation in the global Charolais population and how to make progress for certain traits. The Price family provided an amazing lunch for the tour featuring homemade pies and then a delicious sponge cake for dessert. It was then back on the bus for the trip to Goondiwindi for the last night in Queensland.
Whilst it was great for the countryside, heavy rain limited viewing of the country as we drove through. Wednesday morning, we set off for the 4 Ways herd at Inverell. Here David, Lynette, Blake and Amy Whitechurch welcomed us for morning tea and an introduction to their program.
We then loaded into three vehicles to go touring the farm in the mud. The first paddock we visited included the $265,000 Moongool Revolution (P) sire and his cows. David, Amy and Blake showed great driving skills to get us in and out of a very damp paddock. The investment 4 Ways has made in sires was evident in the females and calves on display with great uniformity. We toured another mob of breeding females before looking through the sale bulls for their Queensland sale. The Whitechurch family then provided a great lunch to cap off an informative visit.
An easy drive down to Armidale and the opportunity to take advantage of the rain by visiting Dangar’s Falls which were flowing nicely. This local tourism spot is on Armidale’s doorstep and is well worth a visit. The falls drop around 125 metres into the gorge below. Armidale was the base for the next two nights. A quick run through the car wash with the bus and we headed off to dinner.
What a great opportunity it was to meet with our international delegates and learn about the Charolais programs in each of their countries. The passion and enthusiasm shared amongst all of us young breeders is really positive and shows what a great breed we are all a part of. “
Amanda Cavenagh, Boyanup W.A. Charolais Youth Committee Member
Ben Noller and Ben O’Dwyer, Palgrove Charolais flank the international delegates at the Palgrove Glen Wilga property.
What a great opportunity it was to meet the international delegates, forming connections around the world. It was eye opening to compare similar and different breeding objectives and genetics within the Charolais breed. “
Tonight, we welcomed Society Registrar, Deearn to dinner and farewelled bus driver Nicole who was returning the bus to Toowoomba the next day. A thank you presentation was made to Nicole for her awesome contribution to the tour.
Thursday was an educational day at the University of New England (UNE). The group visited the C.J Hawkins Homestead with Catriona Millan from the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) giving a rundown on ABRI and BREEDPLAN. Then Dr’s Kirsty Moore and Brad Walmsley from the Animal Genetics Breeding Unit (AGBU) discussed the activity of AGBU and their involvement in the Southern Multibreed (SMB) project. Five breeds representing the most popular breeds in southern Australia (Charolais, Shorthorn, Angus, Wagyu, and Hereford), and the Brahman breed from northern Australia, have been included in the project to date. The inclusion of the Brahman breed links the SMB project to the Repronomics2 project currently being run in northern Australia, ensuring national outcomes and benefits, led by AGBU. Foundation cattle were sourced from across Australia and are producing progeny that are being recorded head-tohead on NSW DPIRD research stations from conception to slaughter over the five years of the project (2020-2025).
cont page 36....
Charolais Society President David Whitechurch, Lynette Whitechurch, Deana Barfoote, Charlie Hitchen, Edward Scott, Tuuli Pikkmets, Dirgis Jõemaa, Ethan Shoemake, Maddi Saunders, Amy Whitechurch, Justin Harcourt and and Blake Whitechurch on the 4 Ways verandah, the only dry spot that day.
Moongool females on display. Ivan Price discussing his bulls on display with delegates.
The Price family and the international visitors at Moongool. Females on display at 4 Ways Charolais, Inverell NSW
Sophie Inder, Merriwa, NSW: Charolais Youth Committee Member
International Youth Down Under
...cont from page 35
It is planned that a total of more than 8,000 calves will be born, with close to 3,000 heifers retained for joining. Specifically, the project will produce up to 2,000 calves per annum at five DPIRD research stations across NSW. To date, more than 84,000 different individual phenotypes have been collected for the project including close to 7,500 birthweights and calving ease scores as well as significant other traits. Brad ran through the design of the project including discussing hard to measure traits with impacts on environment and sustainability. These were super informative talks and having Charolais data in the discussion, added more interest to our group. The AGBU team encouraged the delegates to follow the project online as more results and information is released.
Delegates were then toured through the Methane Testing Facility at UNE and got to understand the process involved in testing cattle. The setup here is first class and we all developed a better understanding of the complexity of the testing process and why.
We headed back in the Charolais office for lunch and then everybody made a PowerPoint presentation to the group on Charolais breeding in their country. These presentations highlighted the variation in the breed due to different environments and market specifications. A robust question and discussion session was held after each talk and we all left with a better understanding on the capabilities of the Charolais breed in different environments.
Friday, we flew down to Sydney arriving in time to enjoy a harbour cruise. This was a fantastic way for the delegates to get their bearings and see the important landmarks from a different perspective. After the cruise the delegates had free time to explore on their own before we met up with Youth Committee chairperson, Josh Fenech for a final dinner. The dinner venue, a former Customs House established over 160 years ago provided an excellent venue to recap the tour and the friendships made.
The next day had delegates heading back to their countries with a glimpse into beef production and the Charolais breed in Australia. General Manager Colin Rex commented “the international youth exchange has the full backing of Charolais Charbray International and in the five exchanges held to date, they have provided positive outcomes. The eight delegates that visited Australia this year were an outstanding cohort of young people and a pleasure to tour with. We look forward to their ongoing commitment to the Charolais breed in their home countries”. He added “the opportunity for our Charolais Youth committee to interact with the international visitors will enhance their journey in leading our youth program and lead to future opportunities for all youth members”. The Society extends their appreciation to all members that contributed to the success of this tour.
The International Youth Tour was an outstanding experience. The people we met along the trip and the property hosts were very welcoming. The cattle at all the studs we visited were very impressive. Australian farming conditions can vary from extreme to extreme, so seeing animals bred to suit these conditions well, retaining their breed traits was nice to see. It is certainly positive seeing the Charolais are such an important influence in beef crossbreeding systems and their popularity is on the rise.
Most of the crew in front of Dangar’s Falls, Armidale NSW.
Students in Warialda NSW built a replica of R2D2 providing an awesome photo opportunity on the way to 4 Ways Charolais.
Inside the Methane Testing Facility showing the complexity and equipment required to generate data accurately.
At the EKKA, our Australian Youth Committtee and the International delegates had the opportunity to
and forge lasting friendships,
The educational sessions included speakers from AGBU and ABRI at the CJ Hawkins Homestead.
Dr Brad Walmsley presented to the group on the Southern Multibreed Project including the Charolais breed.
L: Catriona Millan from ABRI and Dr Kirsty Moore from AGBU presented to the delegates.
Maddi Saunders, Ethan Shoemake and Nicole Nicholls at Dangars Falls, Armidale NSW.
Edward Scott, Charli Hitchen, Dirgis Jõemaa and Deana Barfoote.
Dirgis Jõemaa and Tuuli Pikkmets.
Ethan Shoemake, Maddi Saunders and Justin Harcourt.
Ben O’Dwyers working dogs at Palgrove, these guys provided a great example of working dogs bringing the bulls up for inspection.
The final dinner in Sydney at the Custom House Bar bought an end to a fantastic tour.
network
Back row: Amanda Cavenagh, Eleni Fogden, Ethan Shoemake, Edward Scott, Josh Fenech, Sophie Inder and Amy Whitechurch. Front Row: Carlotte Hitchen, Tuuli Pikkmets, Dirgis Jõemaa, Deana Barfoote and Maddison Saunders. Absent: Justin Harcourt
Immune Ready
The new Immune Ready Guidelines program continues to gain traction and support throughout the cattle industry.
Background
Immune Ready is a cross industry collaboration to improve vaccination uptake and on farm biosecurity. The ongoing risk of endemic diseases in the cattle industry drove the establishment of a working group to look at vaccination guidelines to reduce the risk of disease transfer while cattle are traded through the supply chain. The ACV brought together a working group of veterinarians representing a range of cattle production systems - dairy, beef, feedlots, live export, academia and pharmaceutical. The goal for the group was to define the criteria of core vaccines and risk-based vaccinations, and then apply these criteria across different classes of cattle and in some instances geographical regions, to create the vaccination guidelines that suited different trade markets within the vast diversity of cattle production systems in Australia.
The Outcome
The outcome was the development of the Immune Ready Guidelines that identify the key diseases that need to be managed and / or monitored with appropriate vaccinations to mitigate disease transmission. The Immune Ready Guidelines are also endorsed by all the leading industry bodies including AVA, Australian Cattle Veterinarians, MLA, Animal Health Australia, Dairy Australia and Australian Lot Feeders Association as well as all key industry suppliers such as Zoetis Australia.
The National Cattle Health Declaration (NCHD) and the Immune Ready Guidelines
The Immune Ready Guidelines are underpinned by the NCHD. These declarations are a way for producers to provide information about the health status of the cattle they are selling and their vaccination status. Buyers should ask vendors for a declaration and use the information provided to determine the health risks associated with the animals on offer.
When sellers utilise the Immune Ready Guidelines logo, they agree to provide the NCHD verifying the health status of the animals advertised.
By following standardised vaccination programs and increasing biosecurity, participants can safeguard the health of their cattle and enjoy a more sustainable future.
The ACV encourages the industry to continue to support and communicate the benefits of the Immune Ready Guidelines. Further information is available from the Immune Ready Website at: www.immuneready.net.au
Futurity Ultimate U232E – 2024 Top Price of $32,500 purchased by Ross Sticklen, Lilydale Charolais
Brisbane Royal 2024
A familiar face returned to adjudicate the EKKA Charolais ring with Mr Scott Waldron from the highly respected Kindara Charolais herd doing the honours. Scott alongside running his own commercial herd works with Stanbroke Pastoral in their backgrounding arm.
When the Interbreeds rolled around later in the day his selections stood up extremely well. The Grand Champion Male, Brendale Tab (P)(R/F) won the Interbreed Champion Bull for Brendan, Marnie and Ben Scheiwe with the Champion cow Clearview Actress 2 (P) making the final cut. This pair then combined to successfully stamp further dominance on the Charolais grip for the Supreme Interbreed Pair. In the 14 shows since 2009, Charolais have won this award nine times. In the past 35 years the award has been won by Charolais 23 times.
Queensland Country Life reported the judges commenting “It was the consistency of the group that put the exhibits ahead of the others in the final line-up - Angus, Limousins, Simmentals, and Shorthorns”. In announcing the judge’s decision, Mr Raff emphasised the importance of breeding for specific traits to improve the seedstock and commercial beef industry. I know we strive to breed what the industry wants, but...this is at a seedstock production level, and sometimes we need to breed animals a little bit out there, or have animals a little bit out there for specific traits to then blend and dilute into your program to breed what you want. I’ve been really encouraged today to see the sheer performance in the front-line ups, bulls, particularly, they’re real powerful individuals with massive carcase merit and respected relevant to their breed.
They carry those breed character traits, and these are animals that take the commercial industry forward down the track”. The Charolais Pair also won the People’s choice award conducted during the Interbreeds.
The Grand Champion bull, Brendale Tab (P)(R/F) weighed in at 1,075kg with an EMA scan of 156cm2 and was sired by Colinta Levi (P), himself a member of a winning Interbreed Pair when he was Champion Charolais bull at Brisbane in 2017. Tab has really laid down the muscle since Beef Australia where he was Junior Champion Charolais male with a significant increase in EMA. In Charolais judging he won the Bull 22 to 24 months class before taking Senior and Grand awards. Judge Waldron commented “he is certainly an eye-catching type of sire, wonderful head, great length of body, power through his eye muscle with 156cm2, coupled with a well laid in shoulder and is still mobile on parade”.
Gabby, Alexander and Lachlan Stokes continued their success from Beef Australia with a second Senior and Grand Champion female. Clearview Actress 2 (P) sired by Lilydale Hard Yakka, won the eldest female class on her journey. Mr Waldron remarked “the winner is a first calf heifer, I think she is very complete, wonderful and smooth in the way she is put together, you can appreciate her overall smoothness. She is a classic show ring type, extremely smooth and well-made and puts it all together with a great udder, she epitomises where the Charolais breed has evolved to”.
A strong first class of nine heifers in the 8 to 12 months class was a great opportunity for the judge to get his eye in. Class winner was the Skillington families’ Cassaglen Lady Two Up (AI)(P) who was later elevated to Junior Champion.
Judge: Mr Scott Waldron, Stanbroke Pastoral Meandarra, Queensland.
Supreme Interbreed Pair winners, Charolais: Ben, Marnie & Brendan Scheiwe with Brendale Tab (P)(R/F) and Gabby, Alexander and Lachlan Stokes with Clearview Actress 2 (P). Image courtesy Ben Harden, ACM.
Sired by SCR triumph 2135 (P) the judge remarked “this heifer appealed for most overall correctness, she has a feminine laid in shoulder, volume, depth, shape and thickness. Second in this class was Clearview Raine U2E sired by Brendale Ridley exhibited by the Stokes Family. This heifer was the calf at foot of the Grand champion cow at Beef Australia this year.
A moderate early maturing heifer appealed to the judge in the second class when Black Duck Unique Eclipse (AI)(P) won the class. Scott commented “I like this type of female, just twelve months, moderate early maturing type that is well balanced”. This heifer is a maternal half sister to Black Duck Queen Street (AI)(P)(R/F), Junior Champion heifer at Sydney Royal in 2021. Second in this class was Calais Digna 134 shown by Deb Snaith, Inverell NSW. Deb Snaith then won the Heifer 14 to 16-month class with her Calais Digna 152 (P) sired by homebred sire Calais Quartz (AI)(P).
Reserve junior champion heifer came out of the Heifer 16 to 18 months class. CB Liberty’s Uno Girl sired by Winchester Lock N Load Q1E (P) appealed to the judge. This heifer was described as “a wonderfully smooth, feminine heifer, she has depth and width throughout and she has a slight advantage with her maturity pattern”. This heifer was exhibited by breeders, Nigel and Casey Wieck, CB Charolais from Delungra in NSW. Second in this class was Brendale Hayley U21 (P) sired by Palgrove Radical R930E (P) exhibited by Brendale Charolais, Marburg Qld.
A daughter of a cow with a highly decorated career, Wakefield Amaze 38 (P) won the Heifer 18 to 20 months for Greg and Jenny Frizell, Wakefield Charolais. Amaze 38 has been Grand Champion Charolais female at Brisbane 2019 and Sydney 2023 as well as Interbreed Champion Female and member of the winning Interbreed Pair Brisbane Royal 2019. Wakefield Amaze 117 (AI)(P) sired by Silverstream Manhattan M171 (P) continued the family success. A ProChar Diamondback 113H (P)(R/F) daughter, Charnelle Panache 22 (AI)(P) placed second for Charnelle Charolais, Gatton, Qld. Across the day the junior heifer classes were the strongest numerically with many youth members entering and parading in the classes.
The Junior Champion bull also came from the youngest class on the day. Moongool Under Contract (P) sired by the $52,000 Moongool Pilgrim (P) won his section strongly appealing to the judge. Under Contract was shown by the Price Family, Moongool Charolais weighing 552kg at 10 months and scanned 102cm2 EMA. Scott commented on his champion “this bull has a wonderful outlook and sires’ presence, wonderful balance, strength through his spine, good spring of rib, thickness in the hindquarter and a good loose hide. He is a bull that is particularly well balanced”.
Second in the class and Reserve Junior Champion Male was Clearview Undertaker sired by Brendale Ridley. Ridley was sired by Colinta Levi (P) who sired the Grand Champion bull this year and himself was Reserve Calf Champion at Beef Australia 2021. Undertaker was shown by breeders, Gabby, Alexander and Lachlan Stokes. Scott Waldron explained his reserve selection “the reserve champion bull is slightly different in type and makeup, he is a complete young calf, structurally sound and mobile on parade. His overall fullness through barrel and width and strength over the topline makes him the Reserve”.
Stephen and Kelly Skillington had success in two junior bull classes, firstly 12 to 14 months with Cassaglen Unleaded (P)(R/F) sired by 2022 EKKA champion Cassaglen Raptor (P(R/F) and then in the 16 to 18 months class with Cassaglen Under Rated (P)(R/F) sired by Palgrove Hallmark (P)(R/F). Unleaded weighed 760kg at 14 months and Under Rated hit the scales at 770kg at 17 months.
Second in the Bull 12 to 14 months was Greg Nicholson’s Black Duck Ultimate Justice (AI)(P). This bull was sired by Palgrove Justice (AI)(P), a well-used sire internationally and here in Australia. Second in the 16 to 18 months class was Milford Maximus (AI)(P) sired by LT Venture 3198 (P) and exhibited by Milford Charolais. Maximus was Reserve Calf Champion Male at Beef Australia 2024.
Tor-Galen Umberto (AI)(P/S) sired by full French sire Johnny (P) won the Bull 14 to 16 months class. This calf weighed 642kg at 15 months. Moongool Charolais placed second in this class with Moongool Under The Louvre sired by ANC Kind (P).
Clearview Actress 2 (P) Senior & Grand Champion Female, exhibited by Gabriella, Alexander & Lachlan Stokes, Mt Walker, Qld.
Brendale Tab (P)(R/F), Senior and Grand Champion Male and Interbreed Champion Male exhibited by Brendan Scheiwe, Tallegalla, Qld.
Brisbane Royal 2024
...cont from page 41
In the senior female section, Moongool Fanmail 12 (P) was the Reserve Senior champion Female after winning the 24 to 30 months class. Sired by Airlie Kris K737E (P) her dam was Grand champion female at Brisbane Royal in 2022 and her grand dam, Sydney Royal Champion in 2018 and 2019. This female Moongool Fanmail 8 (R/F) also won the Urquhart and Hordern Trophy interbreeds in 2019 at Sydney. The judge admired her natural doing ability, depth of body, flank and refinement. This female paraded with her first calf at foot.
Second to the grand champion in the aged cow class was Cassaglen Deep Secret sired by Palgrove Kingston and from the highly successful breeding family based on Mullum Panache.
Charnelle Charolais won the other two senior female classes. Firstly, in the Heifer 20 to 22 months with Charnelle Elle 8 (AI)(P) sired by New Zealand sire Silverstream Padra P7 (P). Padra is a trait leader for 400-day weight and has been widely used around the world. Second in this class was another Calais Quartz daughter shown by Deb Snaith, Calais Refine 12 (P).
Brendale Tab (P)(R/F) Senior & Grand Champion Male with Shannon Lawlor (International Animal Health), Andrew Meara (Elders Studstock), Brendan Scheiwe, Robbie Wilson (T Cottee’s great grandson) and kneeling Marnie and Ben Scheiwe.
In the Heifer 22 to 24 months, Charnelle Emma 6 (AI)(ET)(P) won the class, this time sired by Silverstream Landis L179 (P). Graham and Katrina Blanch also placed second in this class with Charnelle Panache 31 (AI)(ET)(P).
The most successful exhibitor for the judging was Cassaglen Charolais including the Reserve Senior champion Male award with Cassaglen Titan (P) (R/F). Scott Waldron commented when selecting Titan as Reserve “he has a lot of softness; a good maturity pattern and strong sires head and I admire him for the overall package”. Again, this bull was sired by EKKA champion Cassaglen Raptor (P)(R/F) and from the Panache line. At 21.5 months he weighed 928kg and EMA scanned 134cm2. Another Raptor son, Cassaglen Tonka placed second in this class. Tonka weighed in at 1,188 with an EMA scan of 155cm2 at 22 months.
Clearview Charolais continued their success with class winner. Clearview Tuxedo (P) winning the Bull 24 to 27 months class. This bull was sired by Brendale Ridley and weighed in at 966kg. Moongool Charolais won the Bull 30 to 48 months class with Moongool Tab (P)(R/F). Tab was Reserve Senior Champion Charolais bull at Beef Australia this year.
During the judging we had international youth delegates sash classes as part of their Australian “show” experience. The interbreed and Parade of Champions was a great spectacle for the delegates with many having little exposure to eared cattle breeds. After judging drinks was held for members to interact with the international delegates.
Cassaglen Lady Two Up (P) Junior Champion Female with Stephen Skillington and Ben Scheiwe.
Moongool Under Contract (P) Junior Champion Male with Ivan & Tori Price & judge Scott Waldron.
Clearview Actress 2 (P) Senior & Grand Champion Female with RNA Steward Andrew Sinnamon, Gabby and Alexander Stokes, Andrew Meara (Elders Studstock), judge Scott Waldron and Shannon Lawlor (International Animal Health).
Charolais, All Over “Paddock to Palate”
Charolais entrants featured strongly in the 26th RNA
Paddock To Palate competition. With over 847 head on feed this is a significant competition attracting a strong entry. The overall results highlight the ability of the Charolais bred to generate performance in real world production systems.
Conducted in four classes the competition has scope for HGP free classes, HGP aided and Wagyu cattle. Competition classes 37, 38 and 40 are three phased comprising best aggregate weight gain, carcass and MSA eating quality, while the Wagyu Challenge is four phased finishing in a beef taste off judged by some of Queensland’s top chefs. The exhibitors who poll the highest aggregate scores across all phases of the four classes are awarded the overall prizes.
Event coordinator, Mr Gary Noller said the “100-day Paddock to Palate Competition winners would exclusively go to the JBS Royal 100 Brand and the 70-day winning cattle will form part of the JBS Queenslander brand. There are retail outlets and wholesalers from across Queensland that will sell this award-winning beef this year, the product is hotly sought after with JBS being inundated with demand, year after year. No other Australian supply chain competition has such a strong connection to the wholesale and retail market.”
Class 37 is based on a 100 day feed program with HGP for Export. In the top 12 overall placings Charolais genetics featured in six including the top pen. Juandah Grazing scored an overall tally of 701.1110 points to take the title for this class. Another Juandah team placed third in this class. Palgrove, Moongool and Simon and Myriam Daley also featured with Charolais genetics. In this class weight gain section, Juandah Grazing placed third with their Charolais cross team averaging 2.672kg/day. Individually in this class a Charolais cross steer entered by Palgrove Pastoral had the equal top weight gain of 3.16kg/day.
In the Carcase judging Juandah Grazing topped the Pen section for their six carcases scoring 527 points. Moongool Charolais entered a Charbray team to place second with 520 points. A carcase from this team was the Reserve Champion individual carcase.
In the Eating Quality section Palgrove Pastoral placed third with their Charolais cross team. A steer from this team had the highest Individual Index score of 60.83.
Class 38 is based on a 70-day feed regime, HGP domestic Trade. Overall honours in this class went to Rosedale Charolais with a pen of Charolais Angus cross. The carcases from this pen placed third overall. Rosedale place high emphasis on these competitions and achieve a great success rate with their genetics.
In Class 40, an HGP free 100 day Export section a team of Charolais cross from Palgrove Pastoral placed fifth overall. Another team from Palgrove placed tenth overall with the Daley Family placing ninth overall. In the Pen of Six Carcases, Simon and Myriam Daley placed second with their Charolais entries and Palgrove placed third with Charolais cross cattle. Palgrove have an excellent history in this event. The company entered 21 Charolais-cross steers into class 37, boasting an average daily weight gain of 2.32kg, securing them a place among the top eight performers in the class. Palgrove general manager Ben Noller said they were pleased with the results. “We’ve won class 37A for the last six consecutive years, and class 40 the year before in the overall competition,” Mr Noller said.
Simon and Myriam Daley had the champion individual carcase in this class scoring 96 points. Their carcase had a weight of 375kg and dressed out at 55.97 p% with a P8 and rib depth of 16 and 9mm. They also achieved success in 2022 when their Charolais cross entrant was overall champion carcase in the competition.
These results reinforce the ability of the Charolais breed to perform in real world conditions. The science behind heterosis and advantages of crossbreeding are well grounded and these results add weight (literally) to the discussion. Cross into profit with Charolais.
Image courtesy: Queensland Country Life.
Perth Royal 2024
Judge: Mr Geordie Elliott, GCL Simmentals
Breakaway Creek, Victoria.
The calf at foot of the reigning Sydney Royal Supreme Exhibit stepped out into the limelight at Perth Royal emulating her dam’s success achieving Supreme Charolais Exhibit. Taking the stride from calf at foot to junior heifer, Venturon Starstruck 157U (AI)(P) entered by Venturon Livestock won the Heifer 9 to 14 months class. Sired by Lt Countdown 9712 (P) and from the highly decorated Venturon Starstruck 157S (AI)(ET)(P) this deep bodied heifer appealed to the judge. He commented on her overall style, saying “she was the complete package, a very complete heifer with a big deep maternal rib”. This heifer impressed Mr Elliott to make her his junior champion heifer before making her grand champion Charolais female and then Supreme Charolais Exhibit.
This result was backed by the judging panel in the interbreed when Venturon Starstruck 157U (AI)(P) won the junior heifer section, judge Tim Reid commented “I love the showiness and style about her, the power and performance she carries with her femininity, softness, muscle performance and a good udder setup underneath her”.
Second in the baby heifer class was Venturon Naughty But Nice U164 (AI)(P), another heifer by Countdown and from a highly decorated cow family. Both these heifers exhibited tremendous depth and strength of spine.
Venturon continued their success winning the Heifer 14 to 18 months class with Venturon Under The Stars U102 (P) sired by Venturon Maximum Impact (P). The judge remarked on her big middle and maternal qualities. This heifer went on to become Reserve Junior Champion Heifer.
Bardoo Charolais took the Heifer 18 to 21 months class with first and second placing with similar type heifers. Bardoo Rosalie U74E sired by Bardoo Braxton Q107E (AI) (ET) won the class ahead of team mate Bardoo Panache U198E (R/F). The winner of the class was a larger framed female with capacity and growth.
Senior champion cow was the Quilty families’ Elgin Park Topaz T16E (AI)(P) sired by LT Del Rey 6161 (P). This 30-month-old female paraded with a calf at foot and was very well grown. Topaz also achieved success in the interbreed winning the Senior cow division.
Venturon Ultimate Impact U128 (P), Junior and Grand Champion Male exhibited by Venturon Livestock, Boyup Brook, WA. Image courtesy Venturon.
Bronwyn McNair and David Ellis with the Junior and Grand Champion bull, Venturon Ultimate Impact U128 (P) exhibited by Venturon Livestock.
Harris Thompson and Kevin Yost with Senior Champion Bull, Venturon Trust T253 (AI)(ET)(P) exhibited by Venturon Livestock.
Morgan Yost and Amanda Cavenagh with Senior Champion Female, Elgin Park Topaz exhibited by Elgin Park Charolais.
Interbreed judge Tim Lord commented “this female is feminine but powerful, a really good beef female that will still retain femininity in her daughters but have the power to produce bull calves. She has a lovely outlook to her as she gets around the ring and I really admire the udder and teat quality”.
Junior and grand champion bull was Venturon Ultimate Impact U128 (P) sired by Venturon Maximum Impact (P) from a former Perth champion, Venturon Naughty But Nice (P). This young sire weighed in at 702kg at 15 months and had tremendous length combined with a very smooth muscle pattern. His half sister Venturon Clementine Q11 (AI) (P) was Supreme Charolais Exhibit at Perth in 2021.
Venturon also had success in the senior bull classes with Venturon Trust T253 (AI)(ET)(P) winning this division. Sired by Canadian sire, SVY Trust 6H (P) this bull was also from the Venturon Naughty But Nice (P) matron. Trust weighed in at 888kg at 23 months. This bull also achieved interbreed success winning the Senior Interbreed bull. Judge Geordie Elliott commented “this is an impressive bull, he carried an exceptional carcase, big body, big top and base in a nice, free easy moving package. Whether it’s stud or commercial he is going to get calves on the ground with red meat yield and softness to meet the market specifications we have.”
Reserve junior champion bull went to Elgin Park Upstate California U20E (P) exhibited by Elgin Park. Sired by Kooyong Revolver (P) this bull weighed in at 668kg at 17 months. His dam, Elgin Park Californian Girl was Supreme Charolais exhibit at Perth in 2016.
Venturon Livestock continued their success at the show winning the Breeders Group of Three and the Most Successful Charolais Exhibitor. In the Interbreed group classes, Venturon Livestock won the Pair of Heifers section with their two LT Countdown 9712 (P) daughters. These two heifers are very similar in type. Judge Elliot commented “the Charolais were a powerful pair of females but with functionality to be females going forward in the industry. Plenty of red meat, big square hips, strength of spine and rib, clean made shoulders, good feet and legs. A very stylish, attractive functional pair with a lot of punch about them”.
Trailblazer Progeny Available in 2025!
28th November 2025 Starting at 1:00pm (WA) Barry & Dot Bell M: 0427 966 126 (Barry) E: bwdjbell@live.com
Bardoo Charolais, established in 1994, is based at Capel, two hours south of Perth. All bulls are bred from our 200 BREEDPLAN recorded female herd with high maternal capacity. Plan a visit & view the herd!
Harris Thompson holds the Supreme Charolais Exhibit, Venturon Starstruck 157U (AI)(P) with Robin Yost and judge Geordie Elliott.
BARDOO Kendall Q3E with Bardoo Quadrant CAF
Charolais Grand Champion at Brunswick Show 2024
BARDOO Talent T200E Bardoo Quadrant son
CAITHNESS CHAROLAIS
3 Caithness Charolais Steers win 3rd in the TFI prize for team of 3 Carcase Award.
1st, 3rd and 5th in purebred “Export on Hook”.
Charolais Society Challenge Trophy for best Charolais Carcase. Vic O’Grady Memorial Prize highest scoring Export Charolais Carcase.
With South Australia experiencing one of the worst years in the last century, numbers across all cattle breeds at Adelaide Royal were diminished. Mrs Wendy Mayne from the highly regarded Texas Angus stud, Warialda NSW officiated the Charolais display with youth members, Alizah, Thomas and Eleni Fogden triumphing for Supreme Charolais Exhibit. Their entry, Boulview UHenri (P) sired by Chenu Profile (P) won junior and grand champion male before taking Supreme Exhibit. His dam Boulview McKenzie had a successful show career before being flushed. This bull won the 16 to 18 months class. The judge commented on her champion bull, “he caught my eye as soon as he came in the ring, he is a very well-balanced bull, he exhibited enough softness, performance and ease of mobility, very free-moving and walked out well.” The success of this bull through judging helped Boulview Charolais be awarded most successful Charolais exhibitor.
Reserve junior champion bull was Boulview Usami (P) sired by Venturon Super Duty (P). This bull won the 8 to 14 months class. Second in this class was a Winchester Lock N Load son, Arabar Top Gun U112 (P) entered by the Wilson Family, Balaklava.
In the female section the Wilson’s entry Arabar White Gold U32 (P) won the Heifer 8-14 months class before taking Junior and Grand Champion female. This heifer was sired by Palgrove Quinella Q1794E (P) who has bred well in the Arabar herd. Mrs Mayne said the grand champion female was a “really nice, well-balanced heifer” which showed “plenty of femininity and was a very good walker”.
In this class, Boulview placed second and third with Venturon Super Duty S30 (P) daughters UCharli and UHeidi. Venturon Super Duty S30 (P) progeny won the Sired Group later in the judging. Boulview UCharli was awarded the Reserve junior champion female.
Arabar White Gold U32 (P) Junior & Grand Champion Female, exhibited by RF & DR Wilson, Balaklava, SA.
Boulview UHenri (P), Junior and Grand Champion Male and Supreme Charolais Exhibit exhibited by AJ, TR & EJ Fogden, Loxton, SA. Image courtesy Boulview.
Josh Wiltshire sashes the Supreme Charolais Exhibit, Boulview UHenri (P) held by exhibitor Alizah Fogden and judge Mrs Wendy Mayne.
Judge Mrs Wendy Mayne, Murray Ferme and Duane Wilson with Junior and Grand champion female, Arabar White Gold U32 (P).
Mountview Charolais
Mountview Tungsten (P) (R/F)
Mountview Selling 20 Bulls at “Blackstump Invitational Bull Sale” 18th March 2025, Blackall Saleyards.
Agent Mark Duthie 0448 016 950
Mountview Unbelievabull (P) (R/F)
Dates for your 2025 Sales Calendar
Mountview Selling 5 Bulls at “February All Breeds Bull Sale” 10th February 2025, CQLX Gracemere.
Agent Michael Smith 0428 541 711
Umpire (P) (R/F)
Mountview Selling 10 Bulls at “CQ Premier Charolais Bull Sale” 11th September 2025, CQLX Gracemere.
Agent Josh Heck 0409 732 676
Mountview Selling Females at “Charnelle Invitational Female Sale” 1st March 2025, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Private on property sales always welcome!
Breeding Charolais for over 45 years
Ian & Katrina Bebbington, “Mount View”, 164 Ramsay Road, Ramsay QLD 4358 follow us on
Contact Ian Bebbington 0427 583 412
bebbo61@bigpond.com
www.mountviewcharolais.com.au
Mountview
From the
Chair -
It’s been a very successful year for the Charolais Youth. As we reflect on 2024 and look ahead into 2025, it is fair to say that Charolais Youth is making some well needed traction. Throughout the year the Charolais youth committee was able to grow the Charolais Youth membership, who are now valuable members to our society. I feel that the Charolais breed is often underutilised within the beef industry but as our Youth membership grows it ensures that our breed continues to grow into the Future.
A very successful Youth show was held at Inverell in October that was a great event for all participants. We received some great feedback from the event, and this was also noticeable with the engagement from the competitors during their time in Inverell. As always, these events are not possible without the generous sponsorship that we received and the help from all the parents and helpers that were in attendance. It was great to see many sponsors and Charolais members at the youth show interacting with the competitors. Once again, we sincerely thank the event sponsors as without their generous support these events cannot happen. I would also like to personally thank all the parents, speakers and Colin Rex that all gave up their time to ensure the smooth running of the event, so I thank you for all your help and support.
At Brisbane Royal Show in August the Charolais Youth Committee was very fortunate to attend and be engaged in the International Youth Program. The committee was able to interact with the delegates and learn about the different Charolais programs in their home countries. Some very interesting stories were swapped, and we learnt a lot. It was a great time that we all enjoyed and it’s fair to say that we all made connections and friends from around the world that we will be able to engage with into our futures.
As we continue into 2025 the core focus of the Youth Committee has not changed and is heavily focused on retaining and growing Youth Membership. We aim to provide support to our current members as well as introduce new members to the breed. We are also planning to run more events in the new year to engage youth in the Charolais breed. I look forward to 2025 for the opportunities that the youth committee can bring to the table to successfully engage the youth of our breed.
Youth Committee Chairperson Josh Fenech
Youth Succeed at Royal Shows
Gabrielle, Alexander & Lachlan Stokes continued their winning streak after taking out Grand Champion female at Beef Australia 2024. The sibling trio went on to receive Grand Champion Charolais female and Interbreed pair with Clearview Actress 2 at this year’s EKKA. Monique Miller achieved success at Melbourne Royal. Monique and her cow and calf unit, Clarinda Que Gaiety (P) were awarded grand champion Charolais female, Supreme Charolais exhibit before winning Supreme Senior Female of Melbourne show. Monique sold this female for $24,000. Congratulations goes to CCJ Charolais for winning the youth section in the Charolais carcase trial in September. It is incredible to see our youth succeeding so well at both local and royal shows as well as commercially.
Youth camp great success!
The Charolais youth committee would like to thank all the sponsors that contributed to making such a great event. Without your support we cannot run these camps and continue to support our youth. We would also once again like to thank Palgrove Charolais for their generous donation of Palgrove Clara and know that she will be a huge asset to Gabby’s herd. We had tremendous feedback from the camp and look forward to a bigger and better camp in 2025. Be sure to watch your socials and emails to find out where the camp will be held next.
Internationals
The Charolais Youth committee thoroughly enjoyed getting to mingle with the internationals at Ekka while they were here. The knowledge and conversations that were shared over the 2 days between the committee and the internationals are contacts and friendships that we will cherish. Recognising the aspect of how diverse the Charolais breed is in other countries was an eye opener to the committee. We would like to thank the international’s for giving us an insight of how Charolais are used in their perspective countries and hope that one day we can travel overseas and visit some of their countries. Safe to say, our youth members are strong in all countries across the globe.
LOOKING FOR INPUT
The Youth committee are always open to helping our youth further their education. If you have any ideas that you would like to see the committee run, please feel free to reach out through phone call, Facebook messenger or email us.
International Youth Success
Charolais Society Youth member Amy Whitechurch, TNT Charolais, Inverell NSW was presented the Banner for the 2023 Charolais Charbray International Virtual Show Champion Purebred Female by Colin Rex at Brisbane Royal. Her entry in the global competition was 4 Ways Refine R32E (P) who was also Grand Champion Charolais Female at Brisbane Royal 2023.
Palgrove Support Youth
The grand finale of the Auction Exchange Charolais Youth Stampede was the announcement of the Most Potential Breeder Award sponsored by Palgrove Charolais. Ben and Gemma Noller from Palgrove said “we are grateful to be in a position at Palgrove that has allowed us to support the next generation at the Charolais Youth Camp, Palgrove are proud to have donated a heifer to the most promising breeder attending the camp and this year that person is Gabriella Stokes”. Gabriella was overcome with excitement when Gemma made the announcement and made a very gracious acceptance speech thanking Palgrove for the opportunity to own such an outstanding heifer.
Gabriella and her brothers run the Clearview Charolais stud at Mt Walker in Queensland. The Clearview Charolais herd was founded in 2019 and achieved success in 2024 with grand champion Charolais female at both Beef Australia and Brisbane EKKA also winning the Supreme Pair for the breed at the EKKA with Brendale Tab. Ben and Gemma Noller commented “we can’t wait to see how this young breeder will develop her skills and knowledge and contribute to the future of the seedstock industry. It was not an easy task and there is a lot that goes into being a successful breeder. A successful breeder needs an eye for cattle, a genuine love and understanding about improving genetics. The dedication and commitment to wake up each day and be focused on your breeding goals and find joy in the results of your breeding decisions. But most importantly you need to have integrity, passion and respect”.
Fifteen youth members made written applications applying to win this heifer and whilst Ben was judging at Melbourne Royal, Gemma thoroughly enjoyed chatting to every single one of those who took the time to enter.
The team at Palgrove dug deep into their heifer pen and donated Palgrove Clara U1350E (P) ET to compete for. Palgrove promoted “starting out in the beef industry as a young individual can be challenging, but sometimes all it takes is a little spark to ignite your passion for this incredible field. That’s why Palgrove is proud to donate this beautiful heifer to the ‘Most Potential Breeder’ at the Charolais Youth Camp. We hope this heifer will serve as the cornerstone for a dedicated Charolais breeder, inspiring a lifelong commitment to excellence in our industry”.
Palgrove Clara U1350E (P)(ET) is a full sister to the heifer Palgrove sold at the National Sale at Beef Australia, U1305E (P)(R/F) ET– which sold for $24,000. Her grand dam, Palgrove Clara 48 (AI)(P) is a well respected Palgrove donor female with 54 calves registered. A son Venturon Talladega T192 (AI)(ET)(P)(R/F) was grand champion bull at Sydney Royal this year. Palgrove Clara U1350E’s sire, Palgrove Qracker (P/S) sold for $75,000 and has been used extensively in the Palgrove breeding program.
Ben and Gemma said “the Charolais breed is in great hands with so much enthusiasm and dedication. We believed in nurturing young talent in the cattle industry and were excited to see how this heifer will contribute to the recipient’s breeding journey. Let’s continue to support and inspire the next generation”.
We look forward to seeing Gabriella’s progress with this heifer and extend a sincere thank you to Palgrove Pastoral Co for the donation of this exceptionally well bred heifer. Opportunities like this don’t come along every day and we congratulate all youth members that took the time and effort to apply. Sometimes the journey is the reward.
Charolais Society President David Whitechurch, Gabriella Stokes and Gemma Noller, Palgrove Pastoral Co with Palgrove Clara U1350E (P)(ET). Image courtesy: MG Rural Media.
Youth Stampede Inverell, 2024
Images: MG Rural Media
Relaxed and refreshing were words heard after the 2024 Auctions Exchange Charolais Youth Stampede held in October. The Charolais Youth committee did a great job balancing education, participation, cattle events and personal development in a program that was enjoyed by all. The event commenced with Senior competitors touring Bindaree Beef and learning more about the processing side of the industry. Following registration and the inductions, the crew broke into teams for some team building and slightly competitive games. These events proved to be a great mixer across the age groups and had everybody involved.
After dinner the older competitors had a career discussion with Dr Jemma Postle, Brendan Scheiwe and Colin Rex. The conversation was informal and focussed on different pathways to progress careers. The next morning after tending to livestock the education program kicked into gear. Different age groups had sessions on all aspects of cattle production and showing,
Peewee and junior competitors made halters and learnt knots as well as the gear needed in a showbox. These groups also learnt correct washing and blowing techniques and had the opportunity to get experience in leading. Intermediate and senior competitors had sessions with animal health guru, Matt Falconer from Virbac as well as Animal structure talks.
All competitors had sessions on public speaking with Gary Noller. Jemma Postle and Meg Salter gave reproduction and A.I. tips and nutrition was also featured. Intermediate and senior groups also had BREEDPLAN and listen to Vytelle’s Andrew Donoghue talk on IVF and modern reproduction techniques. Other education sessions included Marketing and photography with Morgan Guest from MR Rural Media who was the official photographer for the event.
All competitors were put through an intensive junior judging competition under overjudge Brendan Scheiwe. Two classes were judged with placings and written reasons on both classes. All youth then spoke on one class.
An interesting part of this event was many of the parents and education leaders have been participants at Charolais Youth events in the past and are now passing on their knowledge to the next cohort of youth members.
On the Saturday night a dinner was held at the Riverside Café in Inverell which was a great night. The youth committee organised some door prizes with the opportunity to catch up and mingle.
Andrew and Jemma Postle, Branchview Charolais were presented with a certificate for 40 years continuous membership and sponsors thanked. The Youth committee did a tremendous job in obtaining sponsors to offset costs of conducting the event. We extend our sincere appreciation to all the sponsors and volunteers (and there were many) that allowed this event to run so smoothly and offer our youth a great educational opportunity.
2024 CHAROLAIS YOUTH STAMPEDE
Virbac Australia - GDL - L J Cattle Kent Saddlery - 4 Ways Charolais TCW Livestock - DSK Charolais Charolais Society of Australia The Cattle Shop
Youth Judging Judge: Brendan Scheiwe
Peewee Division (8 -10)
1st Slater Gould
2nd Hunter Will
3rd Emmett Skillington
4th Jack Postle
5th Lachlan Gardner
Junior Division (11 -13)
1st Fletcher Skillington
2nd Dusty Düll
3rd Angus Fay
4th Jessica Salter
5th Kirsty McIndoe
Intermediate Division (14 -16)
1st Clancie Düll
2nd Lucy Selby
3rd Azalea McConochie
4th Isla McIndoe
5th Byron Perrett
Senior Division (17 -25)
1st Gabriella Stokes
2nd Sophie Inder
3rd Oscar Golding
4th Amy Whitechurch
5th Joshua Fenech
Grand Champion Youth Judge Gabriella Stokes
NSW
On Sunday morning highly respected cattle breeder and exhibitor, Ms Kirrily Iseppi-Johnson judged the paraders classes. Kirrily has been involved in showing cattle her entire life and she worked through the heats and championships with precision. In her commentary after every class she offered guidance to the competitors to improve their parading abilities.
To conclude a well-run and interesting stampede a presentation ceremony was held. Special mention to sponsor, The Cattle Shop for their support of our event with prizes. The culmination of the event was the announcement of Gabriella Stokes as the “Most Potential Breeder” winning the Palgrove heifer.
Herdsperson Awards Judge: Panel
Peewee Division (8 -10)
1st Lachlan Gardner
2nd Will Holden
3rd Darcy Skillington
4th Morgan Fay
5th Hunter Will
Junior Division (11 -13)
1st Allora Gould
2nd Fletcher Skillington
3rd Jessica Salter
4th Harper Will
5th Chloe Bannerman
Intermediate Division (14 -16)
1st Isla McIndoe
2nd Heidi Zwiers
3rd Charlotte Sippel
4th Byron Perrett
5th Ashley Smith
Senior Division (17 -25)
1st Amy Whitechurch
2nd Oscar Golding
3rd Sophie Halliday
4th Nick Hilton
5th Edward Johnstone
Grand Champion Herdsperson
Amy Whitechurch
Inverell
Youth Stampede 2024
...cont from page 57
Youth Parading
Judge: Kirrily Johnson-Iseppi
Peewee Division (8 -10)
Heat 1
1st Darcy Skillington
2nd Slater Gould
3rd Jack Postle
4th Hunter Will
Heat 2
1st Ledger Gould
2nd Emmett Skillington
3rd Morgan Fay
4th Will Holden
5th Lachlan Gardner
Champion Peewee Parader
Ledger Gould
Reserve Champion Peewee Parader
Darcy Skillington
Junior Division (11 -13)
Heat 1
1st Fletcher Skillington
2nd Kate Lau-Sticklen
3rd Mia Mackay
4th Chloe Bannerman
5th Kirsty McIndoe
HC Imogen Blandford
Champion Junior Parader
Fletcher Skillington
Heat 2
1st Dusty Düll
2nd Allora Gould
3rd Bella McAllister
4th Harper Will
5th Jessica Salter
HC Angus Fay
Reserve Champion Junior Parader
Dusty Düll
Pee Wee Parading: Reserve Champion Darcy Skillington, Ross Sticklen, Champion Ledger Gould and judge KIrrily Johnson-Iseppi.
Senior Cattle Judging: Roderick Binny, Champion Gabriella Stokes, Sophie Inder (2nd), Oscar Golding (3rd), Amy Whitechurch (4th) and Joshua Fenech (5th).
Senior Parading: Reserve Champion Jane Dockrill, , Champion and Grand Champion Parader Laura Lockhart and judge KIrrily Johnson-Iseppi, GK Red Angus, Dalby Qld.
Melbourne Royal 2024
With cattle from two states on display, judge Harris Thompson had a great line of Charolais to work through at Melbourne Royal. Commenting on the honour to judge his own breed, Harris mentioned he would be looking for cattle with elevation of front and elegance in the front end.
He found this in the winner of the Heifer class 9 to 12 months. Geoff and Noelene King exhibited Hazel Downs Utopia (P) for the win with Mr Thompson saying “this heifer grabbed my eye, I love the front end setup and elevation of front and elegance in the front end, her rib design and length of body”. Sired by Hazel Downs Scotchman (P) from a Kenmere bred dam this heifer won through the division to take the Junior Champion Heifer. In the junior line up Harris commented further “she is a beautiful female with great length of body, I love her front end and foot setup and leg structure hair and skin type”.
Second in the young class was Tuerong Springs Ultraviolet (P) sired by Tambo River Quicksilver exhibited by Jane Wedgwood and Terry Devries. This heifer had great length of body and rib design.
The class for heifers 12 to 15 months had eight entries and was won by Winchester Daisy Duke U3E (P) shown by Gavin and Kristie O’Brien, Walbundrie, NSW. Sired by Eaton’s Royal Dynasty 6164 (P) this heifer comes from a family that has been very successful in the show ring. The judge commented on the class “a really great class and I found a heifer that I really admire, she has a well laid in shoulder, a beautiful female with the front end carriage that I like to see. She is a moderate design female with a beautiful front end, a female with beautiful rib shape and her udder should be exceptional with great hip shape”.
Second in the class was Montaaro Quack Like A Duck 6 (P) with the judge commenting the second heifer is similar to the class winner with maybe a touch more rib and a great body. This heifer was sired by Turnbull’s Duty Free 358D (P) with her full sister Reserve junior champion heifer at Melbourne Royal in 2023. Junior member Summer Kelly exhibited Charnelle Panache 33 (P) for third in this large class. This heifer was described as having carcase merit and freedom of movement.
Regular exhibitors, the Cook Family from Rangan Charolais won the Class 15 to 18 months with Rangan Aletta U22(P) sired by Ascot Queenslander (P) Harris described this heifer as “a powerful heifer with a great hair type, I love the carcase attributes in this female and she is a big workhouse female”. This heifer was later selected as the Reserve Junior champion female in judging. Second in this class was Golden Rose Unflossabale U11 (P)(R/F) which appealed to the judge for her middle and cow power. This heifer was sired by Turnbull’s Duty Free 358D (P) from the well known DSK Flossy line. Her dam was Reserve Junior Champion female at the National Showcase in 2017, Golden Rose also placed third in the class with Golden Rose Upsiedaisy U10 (P) sired by Pro-Char Diamondback 113H (P).
Murray Van Der Drift and Erin Ferguson from Golden Rose continued their success winning the Heifer class 18 to 20 months with Clarinda Duty Maid (AI)(P) sired by Turnbull’s Duty Free 358D (P). This big strong heifer was purchased at the Clarinda dispersal from the Manton family. The judge commented on this heifer’s capacity, rib, top and middle. Another Clarinda bred Duty Free daughter placed second in this class for Monique Miller and her Clarinda Duty Vanilla (AI)(P). Rangan Charolais placed third with Rangan Estella U2 (AI)(P)(TW).
Clarinda Que Gaiety (P) Senior & Grand Champion Charolais Female, Supreme Charolais Exhibit and Interbreed Champion Senior Female exhibited by Monique Miller, Pine Lodge, Vic. Image courtesy BA Showcase.
Winchester Unlimited U1 (AI)(P), Junior and Grand Champion Charolais Male exhibited by G & K O’Brien, Walbundrie, NSW. Image courtesy BA Showcase.
In the Senior female section there was only one class for females over 36 months. Youth member Monique Miller bought out another Clarinda bred female, Clarinda Que Gaiety (P) with her first calf at foot to win this class. Sired by Clarinda Downtown Q32 (P) who is a trait leader for all growth traits as well as scrotal this cow caught the judge’s eye. This female was selected as the Senior champion female. Mr Thompson commented “when breeding cattle at home we have a focus on breeding a more modern type Charolais, cattle with extra cover, udder quality with an ability to reproduce early. The senior champion female is a clear winner for udder quality, the foot quality and the overall way she moves. She has a gem of a calf at foot”.
Winkel Park Charolais took second place and reserve senior champion female with Winkel Park Penny (P) (R/F). Sired by Caloona Park Nuggett she paraded with a big seven month old bull calf. The judge commented “the female in second has an exceptional bull calf at foot and the cow is going to make money for the breeder, she has a really good hair and skin type and great front end. Placing third in this class was Rangan Aletta S84 (P) sired by Rangan Quartermaster Q86 for the Cook Family. She was described as a “sweet young female that is moderate with a beautiful young calf with a lovely front end and hair type”
In selecting the senior champion female, Clarinda Que Gaiety (P) as his grand champion female, Harris pointed out “she is a female from a strong division, I love this cows length of body and udder quality, she is so smooth fronted with her head above her spine with a really nice heifer calf”. This female was declared Supreme Charolais Exhibit, later in the judging. She was also successful in the Interbreed winning the Interbreed Senior Champion Female. Monique offered this female for sale in the Royal Rumble Sale where she topped that event at $24,000 selling to Ivory Downs Speckle Park stud.
The junior bull classes saw Winkel Park U Good Thing U1 (P) take the Class 9 to 12 months. Sired by SVY Trust 6H (P) this calf was described by the judge “as a tank. From behind this bull had serious muscle expression, he is an absolute bundle of muscle with good front end extension”.
Winchester Unlimited U1E (AI)(P) won the junior bull class 12 to 15 months. Very similarly bred to the Winchester heifer class winner exhibited earlier in the day, this bull weighed in at 668kg at 14 months and had an EMA scan of 115cm2. Sired by Eaton’s Royal Dynasty 6164 (P), this bull was the calf at foot on the 2024 Sydney Royal Reserve Senior Champion female, Winchester Daisy Duke S10E (P). His grand dam was the Interbreed champion female at Sydney Royal in 2022, Winchester Daisy Duke N16E (P).
Mr Thompson commented “ absolutely love his front end, the way he moves, his hair type, I love his thickness and middle and a clear stand out winner, overall front end and smoothness and refinement through the shoulder.” This bull was later elevated to Grand champion Charolais bull in the judging.
Second in this class was Myona U-Turn U17 (P) exhibited by Winkel Park Charolais. The judges evaluation on this calf included he was a powerful bull with thickness through the rear third. U-Turn was sired by Wakefield Raise The Bar (P) who Myona purchased for $31,000 in 2022. Third in this class was Golden Rose UDL U13 (AI)(P) from the Golden Rose team.
Rangan Charolais exhibited Rangan Ulysses U8 (AI)(P)(R/F) to win the 18 to 20 months class. Sired by Rosedale Flemington (P) he weighed in at 808kg at 19 months and scanned an EMA of 118cm2. Harris commented “I admire this bull for his overall presence and power, looking at his rear end he has so much thickness down through the lower third, I really appreciate his front end quality for a bull so thick, he moves very well and I love the centre in him”. This bull went on to win the reserve junior Champion bull award.
Senior champion bull was Myona Trust Me T31 (AI)(P) sired by SVY Trust 6H (P) and shown by Winkel Park Charolais. This bull won the 20 to 24 months class weighing 826kg and EMA scan of 126cm2. The judge commented “he weighs 838kg which is ample weight for his age, he is a big long bull with a good front end design, he moves well for his weight with good thickness through his middle and rear third, he is set up well through his scrotal and sheath design”.
Hazel Downs Utopia (P) Junior Champion Female, with Erin Grylls, Katie McIntyre, judge Harris Thompson, Noelene King, James Barton and Geoff King from Hazel Downs.
Clarinda Que Gaiety (P) Senior & Grand Champion Female and Supreme Charolais Exhibit, with Monique Miller, Maddy Telford, Gwen Robinson, judge Harris Thompson and Eliza Babazogli from International Animal Health.
Winchester Unlimted U1E (AI)(P) Junior and Grand Champion Male, with Gavin O’Brien, Monique Miller and judge Harris Thompson.
Myona Trust Me T31 (AI)(P) Senior Champion Male, with Stephen Martin, Anne Thompson and judge Harris Thompson.
Above images courtesy Jen Wilson.
Technical Genotyping Females,
The Other Half of Your Genetic Equation
While females contribute 50% to the genetics of their offspring, there is often a tendency amongst beef producers to concentrate on the male side of the pedigree. While individual bulls typically have a bigger influence on the herd than individual cows, simply because they produce more progeny, females also play a role in the genetic improvement of the herd. This article will explore reasons why Charolais producers may consider genotyping their females and discuss strategies to genotype the female herd.
Why Genotype Females?
Just as there are a variety of reasons to genotype male animals, there are a number of reasons why Charolais producers may consider genotyping their female herd. These include:
1. Parentage Verification
This could be for parentage verification of the female animal and/or parentage verification of her future calves. While full parentage verification (e.g. the animal verified to sire and dam) is not currently compulsory for most animals registered with the Charolais Society of Australia (the exception being overseas AI sires), some producers may wish to parent verify their animals to have more certainty regarding their pedigrees.
Even in the best managed herds, parentage errors can still occur. Possible reasons for parentage errors include multisire matings, rogue bulls, uncertainty as to whether the AI bull or the back-up bull is the sire, mismothering and/or human error.
2. Management of Genetic Conditions and Quantitative Traits
The Charolais Society of Australia offers a genetic test for a two genetic condition, being Myophosphorylase Deficiency and Bovine Progressive Ataxia. The Charolais Society of Australia also offers genetic testing for horn/poll status.
For producers who wish to know the genetic condition status of their females (for example, to avoid carrier to carrier matings if using a carrier bull) genotyping select females may be of interest.
3. Genomics
Since January 2024, genotypes on Charolais animals have contributed to EBVs in the BREEDPLAN Singlestep analysis. Under Single-Step BREEDPLAN, Charolais producers may wish to genotype their heifer drop prior to making replacement decisions, to ensure that they have the most accurate EBVs possible before selection decisions are made. Alternatively, Charolais producers may wish to genotype a subset of females, such as high genetic merit females. There may also be a desire to genotype animals that are likely to be in single animal contemporary groups or small contemporary groups (e.g. ET calves, show animals, animals from a small herd).
While the above offers a number of reasons to genotype females, often there is more than a single reason for genotyping an animal. Instead, Charolais producers may decide to genotype female animals for a combination of reasons described above (e.g. both to manage genetic conditions and to help build the Charolais reference population).
Which Females Should I Genotype?
Deciding which females to genotype will vary from herd to herd, and will depend on the motivation for genotyping. For producers who are keen to do full parentage verification, all dams of the calves they wish to do parent verification on will need to be genotyped. This could be for all calves in a calving year, or a select subset (e.g. full parent verification on sale bulls only).
Which Females Should I Genotype?
Producers who are managing genetic conditions may wish to genotype cows from certain lines that are likely to be carriers. The animals that a producer wishes to genotype for genomics purposes may also vary, from a subset of females through to all heifers in the calving drop.
Strategies to Genotype the Whole Female Herd
Deciding which females to genotype will vary from herd to herd, and will depend on the motivation for genotyping. For producers who are keen to do full parentage verification, all dams of the calves they wish to do parent verification on will need to be genotyped. This could be for all calves in a calving year, or a select subset (e.g. full parent verification on sale bulls only).
Producers who are managing genetic conditions may wish to genotype cows from certain lines that are likely to be carriers. The animals that a producer wishes to genotype for genomics purposes may also vary, from a subset of females through to all heifers in the calving drop.
Strategies to Genotype the Whole Female Herd
Some Charolais breeders may be interested in genotyping all of the females in their herd. However, for many, the cost of genotyping all females in the herd in one hit can be prohibitive. To genotype an animal using a TSU and the Charolais standard bundle currently costs $61.82 inc GST. For a herd with 200 cows, this would mean an outlay of $12,364 to genotype all cows in the herd. An alternative strategy for Charolais producers to consider is genotyping their replacement heifers each year. While it will take longer to reach the point where all females in the herd have genotypes, the total cost of genotyping is spread across subsequent years.
An example of this strategy is shown in Figure 1. In this herd, cows are cast for age at 8 years of age. In year one, the 1 year old heifers are genotyped, while the remaining females (2 years old – 7 years old) do not have genotypes. In year two, the 1 year old heifers are genotyped, the 2 year old heifers already have genotypes (having been genotyped in year one), while the remaining females (3 years old – 7 years old) do not have genotypes.
Some Charolais breeders may be interested in genotyping all of the females in their herd. However, for many, the cost of genotyping all females in the herd in one hit can be prohibitive. To genotype an animal using a TSU and the Charolais standard bundle currently costs $50.64 ($2.64 + $48). For a herd with 200 cows, this would mean an outlay of $10,128 to genotype all cows in the herd. An alternative strategy for Charolais producers to consider is genotyping their replacement heifers each year. While it will take longer to reach the point where all females in the herd have genotypes, the total cost of genotyping is spread across subsequent years.
This cycle repeats each year, until, in year seven, all females in the herd have genotypes. In years eight and beyond, the 1 year old heifers are genotyped, ensuring that all females in the herd have genotypes going forward. (British Charolais require all first calf heifers to be genotyped prior to registration of their first calf. This reduces the incidence of testing virgin heifers that may not a) get in calf or b) be satisfactory mothers.)
An example of this strategy is shown in Figure 1. In this herd, cows are cast for age at 8 years of age. In year one, the 1 year old heifers are genotyped, while the remaining females (2 years old – 7 years old) do not have genotypes. In year two, the 1 year old heifers are genotyped, the 2 year old heifers already have genotypes (having been genotyped in year one), while the remaining females (3 years old – 7 years old) do not have genotypes.
Year One
1 Year Old Heifers
2 Year Old Heifers
3 Year Old
Year Old Cows
This cycle repeats each year, until, in year seven, all females in the herd have genotypes. In years eight and beyond, the 1 year old heifers are genotyped, ensuring that all females in the herd have genotypes going forward.
Of course, how long this takes to achieve depends on the age of the cows in the breeding herd, and which age group of cows are genotyped each year. For example, if cows are not cast for age until 10 years old, it will take longer to reach the point where all cows are genotyped.
Conclusion
(British Charolais require all first calf heifers to be genotyped prior to registration of their first calf. This reduces the incidence of testing virgin heifers that may not a) get in calf or b) be satisfactory mothers.)
Of course, how long this takes to achieve depends on the age of the cows in the breeding herd, and which age group of cows are genotyped each year. For example, if cows are not cast for age until 10 years old, it will take longer to reach the point where all cows are genotyped.
Conclusion
There are several reasons to genotype Charolais females, including for parentage verification, to manage genetic conditions and to contribute to the reference population for genomics. Now Australian Charolais utilises a Single-Step BREEDPLAN analysis, genotyping female animals will also provide additional information for the calculation of EBVs. However, for many, the costs of genotyping the whole female herd at the one time can be prohibitive. Charolais producers who wish to genotype their breeding females may wish to consider doing so over multiple years, by genotyping the heifer portion of the herd each year until such a time that all females in the herd have genotypes. While slower to reach the point where all females in the herd have genotypes, this strategy has the advantage of spreading the cost of genotyping over subsequent years.
There are several reasons to genotype Charolais females, including for parentage verification, to manage genetic conditions and to contribute to the reference population for genomics. When Charolais moves to a Single-Step BREEDPLAN analysis in the future, genotyping female animals will also provide additional information for the calculation of EBVs. However, for many, the costs of genotyping the whole female herd at the one time can be prohibitive. Charolais producers who wish to genotype their breeding females may wish to consider doing so over multiple years, by genotyping the heifer portion of the herd each year until such a time that all females in the herd have genotypes. While slower to reach the point where all females in the herd have genotypes, this strategy has the advantage of spreading the cost of genotyping over subsequent years.
Three
1 Year Old Heifers 2 Year Old Heifers 3 Year Old Cows 4 Year Old Cows 5 Year Old Cows 6 Year Old Cows 7 Year Old Cows
Year Four 1 Year Old Heifers
2 Year Old Heifers
3 Year Old Cows
4 Year Old Cows
Old Heifers 2 Year Old Heifers 3 Year Old Cows
Year Old Cows 5 Year Old Cows 6 Year Old Cows
Year Old Cows
while those that already have genotypes are highlighted blue.
Figure 1. Genotyping one year old replacement heifers each year will allow Charolais producers to eventually reach the point where all females in the herd have genotypes. Animals genotyped in the current year are highlighted in red,
World Congress 2024: Canada
The Canadian Charolais Association promised an exceptional World Congress and boy, did they deliver. Delegates from twelve countries joined Canadian breeders at events and farm visits as the Congress travelled from Toronto, Ontario across the prairies to Calgary, Alberta in mid-2024.
From start to finish the tour just kept delivering exceptional cattle, vistas and events to generate memories and friendships for the ages. In Toronto we were welcomed by tour directors, Candace and Helge By (Charolais Banner), Craig Scott, Canadian Charolais General Manager and Board member Darwin Rosso.
Delegates had the option to travel the full distance or join or depart at scheduled towns to suit their time frames. A welcome reception was held in Toronto where old friendships were celebrated and many new ones formed. Toronto was our base for the first four nights of the Congress. Countries represented included Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Mexico, Ireland, Hungary, Czech Republic, New Zealand and the United States along with local Canadians. Once again, the Australian delegation was the most numeric with twenty delegates.
Saturday June 22 the two buses rolled into the hotel for a departure to the St Jacobs Markets in the Waterloo district of Ontario. St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is the largest year-round indoor/outdoor farmers’ market in Canada. Established in 1975 and one of the Region of Waterloo’s most beloved attractions, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market welcomes more than one million visitors each year. Several large buildings hosted stalls along with many more outdoor sites. The fruit and vegetable stalls offered a vast range of high-quality produce.
At the market there was a Mennonite Interpretive Centre sharing the history of this faith in the Canadian provinces. Some stalls were run by the members of this order and on the roads around the markets were signs advising of horse and buggies ahead. On the way to the markets we were treated to a gift “kupica” (small cup) from the Hungarian delegation and naturally some palinka.
After lunch we headed for the Rollin’ Acres Charolais herd where hosts Chester, Karla, Griffin and Bennett
Tupling welcomed the tour. Chester outlined their program including their use of Full French genetics in both their registered herd and commercial herd. Their property supports a cow calf unit on two acres during summer. Also displaying cattle were fellow vendors from the “Uppin
The Ante” sale group. After a very heavy downpour all the visitors headed to the marquee for a delicious supper and then entertainment by a band.
Day two in Ontario saw the tour heading out towards Cedardale Charolais at Nestleton. On route to the farm we passed through significant wetlands with an abundance of birdlife. Cedardale Farms consists of approximately 607 hectares of cropland and 160 registered Charolais cows. Cedardale is well known to Australian Charolais breeders through AI sires, Zeal 125Z (P), Yellowstone 25Y (P) and Abracadabra 123A (P).
Delegates at John Scott Productions. Image courtesy Charolais Banner.
A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles “ “
Tim Cahill
We called into the farm for lunch before heading to a local feedlot. The Swain Family run a lot, feeding heifers only in a traditional type of feedlot for Ontario. Capacity of the lot was in the 450 to 500 head. Living so close to the city the Swains had previously direct marketed beef to the public from the property. After a while the family decided that this wasn’t where they wanted to focus their efforts and discontinued that practice.
The Swains also toured the group through their new handling facility which was impressive and functional. The property also had a traditional bank barn where some cattle are fed. The property grows most of their own feed requirements. The pens here featured significant numbers of Charolais cross heifers exhibiting excellent muscle types.
We then returned to Cedardale inspecting several pastures of cows and calves on the way. The buses pulled up on the road and the cattle came to a call, for inspection. This herd was exceptionally consistent in type and style with great maternal qualities on display. In one paddock the 2023 sale topper Cedardale Legacy 100L (P) was running with females before heading off to his new home. This calf by WC Uncharted 7328P was impressive for his muscle and volume. Once back at the home property a pen of heifers available in the “Genetics for the World” sale attracted a great deal of attention. The entire Nesbitt family pitching in to make our visit enjoyable was super appreciated.
Other breeders on display here were M&L Cattle Co, Southview Farms and Burgomaster Agri Marketing. During dinner Emily Yarascavitch, a talented violin player provided entertainment. Whilst in Ontario we discovered it takes 40 litres of Maple sap to make a litre of Maple Syrup.
Above: Produce at the St Jacobs markets.
Colin Rex, Australia and John Gibson, USA (far right) thank Griffin, Chester, Karla and Bennett Tupling for hosting the World Congress tour. Image courtesy Charolais Banner.
One of the many Maple Syrup brands from Ontario, Canada.
Impressive calves on display from Cornerview Charolais. Below: Chester Tupling far right shows his herd on Day one.
World Congress 2024: Canada
...cont from page 65
A highlight of the Congress for many was heading to Niagara Falls on Day three. With an informative commentary from our excellent bus driver, a local in the area, we visited the Niagara Floral Clock. Measuring 12 metres in diameter as many as 16,000 plants are used to maintain the beautiful design. Students from the nearby prestigious Niagara Parks School of Horticulture assist in keeping the attraction spectacular through the year.
One of the snippets our bus driver shared was the rate of erosion at the falls was once a metre a year, but due to water control it had been reduced to less than 30cm a year. Niagara Falls has moved back seven miles in 12,500 years and may be the fastest moving waterfalls in the world. More than 168,000 cubic metres (6 million cubic ft.) of water go over the crestline of the falls every minute during peak daytime tourist hours. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls drops an average of 57 metres into the Lower Niagara River.
A tour of the Niagara Parks Power Station (est 1905) was very informative with our guide imparting a concise commentary on the 100 year operation of the power station. Harnessing the powerful energy of the Horseshoe Falls, this pioneer of hydropower highlights both the remarkable history and unique architectural features of this 115-yearold engineering marvel. At the conclusion of the tour we headed 55 metres down in a glass panelled elevator where original working infrastructure was visible on the descent. A 670 metre long tunnel then led to a spectacular viewing platform at the base of the Horseshoe falls. The views of the waterfalls were amazing and uninterrupted.
From here we headed to the Queen Victoria Place Restaurant for lunch where another spectacular view of the falls was available. The food on offer here was abundant, varied and so good. It was a shame we had to board the bus to leave. Whilst waiting for everyone to board the coach, our driver treated us to a rendition of “Sweet Caroline” and some other tunes, a very talented man!
Next visit was Miller Land and Livestock where George, Dianne, Dwayne, Ashley and family greeted us in picture book gardens with an array of snacks and fluids. Running 70 purebred females and 90 commercial females the family sell about 20-25 bulls a year. Around 850 head of cattle are also on feed and they supply local abattoirs and butcher shops. Cropping over 1,800 hectares with corn, soybeans, winter wheat and lucerne hay, the family had an impressive display of equipment for inspection. Cattle were penned close for inspection before we toured on the buses past the feedlot pens and some breeders in pastures.
Charolais cross heifers on feed at the Swains Beef Feedlot, Ontario.
Charolais yearling heifers at Cedardale Charolais, Ontario.
Charolais bull calves at Cedardale Charolais, Ontario.
Niagara Falls from the end of the Tunnel, spectacular
Chris & Helen Curry (UK) with the view from the lunch table. The end of the tunnel at Niagara Falls and the viewing platform.
Niagara Floral Clock, the workers show the scale of this clock.
Temperament was impressive at Miller Land and Livestock.
A short drive and we had dinner at the Erie Beach Hotel at Port Dover, in sight of Lake Erie. The gardens of this hotel were spectacular and we enjoyed a local specialty, perch with some different salads than usual. With the extended daylight hours in Canadian summers the drives back to the hotel each night allowed sightseeing along the journey.
Day 4 had an early start as we made the short drive to Toronto Pearson International Airport to fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba for the next sector of the journey. There may have been some anticipation of doom with several bag drop sections not operating and a rapidly approaching boarding time! Crisis averted and everybody made the flight with their bags and we met two new bus drivers for the rest of the trip. Lunch today was your choice at The Forks, a public place where the Assiniboine River flows into the Red River. This area has a 6,000-year history with native tribes meeting in the area before becoming a fort in the fur trade era 1738-1880. In the 1880s the area became a major railway infrastructure before being converted into a Winnipeg public space for the enjoyment of all. Numerous food outlets and shopping opportunities greeted the delegates with many taking the stroll down to the river confluence.
With Helge By making the “mount up” cry to load the buses we headed to Steppler Farms, one of the larger herds in Canada. Hosting both a bull and female sale the sale barn here was very impressive. Andre, Katie, Brynn, Brayden and Declan displayed some Charolais as well as some Char cross Angus steers and some Angus cows from their program. Andre and Katie run a herd of black cows where the value of Charolais heterosis is proven day in day out. Sunshine Oak Charolais, LEJ Charolais, C2 Charolais and Hidden Lake Stock Farms also displayed giving delegates a wide range of programs to discuss and view. Dinner entertainment was a bucking bull with many trying, few succeeding but providing many laughs for the rest of the visitors.
cont page 68....
The Miller family welcoming the tour to their property.
Herd sire joining heifers at Miller Land and Livestock.
Gardens at Erie Beach Hotel, venue for dinner on Day Three.
Landscaped gardens at “The Forks”, Winnepeg, a popular public place. The mechanical bull was a popular dinner entertainment at Steppler Farms.
C2 Charolais bulls on display at Steppler Farms.
Full French heifer, EMB Abigale 53L joined the delegates for dinner in the Steppler Sale Barn, impeccable temperament.
World Congress 2024: Canada
...cont from page 67
Whilst in Winnipeg we had the opportunity to visit the Assiniboine Park Zoo where the highlight was the polar bear display along with many other northern species. The polar bear display included a glass tunnel under their pool where the bears could be observed swimming and playing around. These animals are huge and the paws alone would give you no chance of survival, if the bear was cranky. A few kangaroos called this zoo home and they looked very content. Lunch was a taco in a bag on the journey to HTA Charolais owned by the Airey family.
Shawn Airey, the current CCA president along with Tanya and their children Chase and Blake had cattle penned and also provided tours from a trailer of two cow mobs. The HTA herd has been breeding Charolais for over 50 years and the cows on display were very impressive with an immaculate temperament. A strong focus on functional females is maintained here. At the front gate was a monument marking over 100 years (1901 to 2001) of farm ownership by the Airey family. R & G McDonald Livestock and Pleasant Dawn Charolais had pens of cattle on display as well. One feature of the congress was meals in community halls where the facilities were excellent. Catering on the congress was first class from day 1 to the final events. Gradually moving westward tonight we called Brandon home in Manitoba.
To encourage population growth in Western Canada the government had a program to offer free land. The 19th century marked the dawn of homesteading in Canada, initiated by acts like the Dominion Lands Act of 1872. This legislation aimed to populate the vast and untamed landscapes of the west by offering 160 acres of land to settlers willing to cultivate it. Pioneers, drawn by the promise of land ownership and a new beginning, embarked on the arduous journey to establish their homesteads. They faced the daunting challenges of clearing dense forests, building from scratch with limited tools, and cultivating land that had never been farmed. Many settlers from European countries took advantage of this offer and their influence can still be seen today.
Our last day in Manitoba started with a visit to the Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic site. In the past elevators were every 11 kilometre’s for farmers to cart their grain. As transportation became more mobile and farms increased in size many of the grain elevators fell by the wayside. The Inglis elevators have been preserved and are open to the public to preserve this important part of western Canada’s history. We toured the inside of these uniquely shaped wooden elevators which also included certificates of merit and other historical information. High Bluff Charolais live practically next door to these elevators and they penned up some cattle for display including a sire, High Bluff JJ 85J and breeding females. This part of Canada had received excellent rains and the grass was very lush. On the bus today, our hosts provided cinnamon buns and other Canadian foodstuffs for the delegates to sample and savour. Lunch was at the Roblin Community Centre where we meet the Hunter Family of Hunter Charolais. Michael Hunter gave a brief overview of their operation before we headed to the farm to inspect the cattle. The herd now consists of over 300 cows and is a true family operation.
A large part of the program here has been built by using extensive AI. The Hunter family includes two qualified vets. The family penned a great cross section of their program to inspect including sires, donor females and sire progeny groups. Sunblade Charolais penned their cattle complementing the beautiful setting in the middle of a pasture. Whilst at Hunter Charolais we took the opportunity to grab a photograph of the eight, under 30 delegates on the tour. What a future our breed has if these are representative of the youth coming through from so many countries. World Charolais events are suitable for everyone regardless of age. We crossed the border into Saskatchewan tonight to stay at Yorkton.
Our first morning is Saskatchewan was a wet one, the local area received considerable rainfall overnight. Heading south to Regina one of the tasks today was to pick up another 19 delegates for the rest of the tour. A visit to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum gave an insight into the past. Featuring life size diorama and considered displays this museum was extremely interesting. The museum also features Scotty, the largest T-Rex skeleton ever discovered. Lunch was in central Regina at the Bar Willow where unfortunately the weather obscured the view of the manmade lake featuring in the centre of the city. The food was excellent though.
Cattle viewing for today was at White Cap Charolais outside of Moose Jaw. Rosso Charolais, Elder Charolais, Howe Coulee Charolais, Wilgenbusch Charolais used the pens on site to great advantage. The display was comprehensive of their bloodlines and very informative. We availed ourselves of plastic boots here due to recent heavy rains. Rosso Charolais had their Champion Virtual Show Purebred bull, C2 Heroshima 42H on display and were presented with their banners from the event. The hosts provided a great steak dinner and the dessert featured Saskatoon berries on the cheesecake, another Canadian flavour to discover. Kristine Bergman from Sweden celebrated a birthday and Lee and Connie Eaton were surprised with a cake to commemorate their 55th wedding anniversary. The Temple Gardens Mineral Spa in Moose Jaw became home for the next two nights. Hosting geothermal water pools, a spa and a casino this was a very pleasant venue to stay at.
The next two mornings in Moose Jaw were free time to pursue activities of interest to each delegate. Moose Jaw is home to a network of tunnels that Al Capone used during prohibition and these are available for tours. Some delegates took the opportunity to visit Rosso Charolais located just out of Moose Jaw. On the afternoon of Day 8 we visited the brand-new facility operated by Bovigen. This facility operated by Tyson Buyer DVM B.Sc. and family offers semen and embryo collection. The facility is state of the art and only commenced construction in June 2023. We had the opportunity to inspect a large pen of Charolais donors being flushed. Bovigen also offer IVF for donors.
Polar bear display at the Assininiboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Female herd at HTA Charolais.
HTA Charolais herd sire, Legacy’s Hulk Hogan 50J.
Historical grain evelevators at Inglis.
One of the awesome Canadian treats we enjoyed.
Historical ledgers at the Inglis Grain Elevators.
The unloading pit at the Inglis Grain Elevators.
High Bluff Stock Farms display.
High Bluff stock horses.
High Bluff JJ 85J (P) at High Bluff Stock Farms.
Departing the hotel Day One, our hosts Darwin Rosso, Canadian Charolais General Manager, Craig Scott, Helge and Candace By.
World Congress 2024: Canada
...cont from page 69
After lunch at Bovigen we travelled just down the road to inspect farm machinery at Norheim Ranching. Norheim Ranching were Silver sponsors of the Congress and owners Lee and Chelsea Norheim have a Charolais background. Lee reported they operate from three locations and offer a wide range of livestock and farming equipment. They sell Arrow Cattle Handling equipment which although manufactured in Canada was founded and owned by Australians.
The range of equipment on display was extensive and very interesting. Lee and his staff provided answers for the many questions from the delegates. One interesting product was a solar powered water trough system to take water from a dam and provide in a trough improving the water quality for the livestock.
A little more time on the bus took us to Cederlea Farms operated by Garner and Lori Deobald and family. Garner is well known to many Australians and the facilities here were very impressive. Valley’s End Charolais provided cattle for display and presented every delegate with a personalized goodie bag, which was very appreciated. They displayed Pleasant Dawn Mobile 103F (P), their herd sire who has semen available in Australia. The delegates loaded onto trailers with seating for a tour of joined heifers and then 175 Charolais cows and their calves in one pasture. This was a very impressive sight. The consistency of the cattle on display was impressive and highlighted the strength of this program. In the heifer pen we saw some progeny of Australian sire, Winchester Lock N Load (P). Cederlea provided a great dinner with a variety of entertainment. Delegates could shoot hockey pucks, learn to rope or enjoy the live band playing. The opportunity was available to inspect the ranches quarter horse program as well. This was a super visit and a lot of fun.
Departing Moose Jaw we headed north to CK Sparrows Farms where once again heavy rain changed plans. Cam and Josie Sparrow organized a convoy of vehicles to take tours of a mob of representative females they put together for us.
One of the drivers was Aussie, Harris Thompson who was in Canada at the time. The Sparrows herd has produced many herd sires across the globe and it was interesting to see their program. W2 Farms also displayed cattle with some impressive heifer calves. Tonight’s meal was a pitchfork fondue where a bunch of steaks are strung on a pitchfork and lowered in boiling oil for four minutes. Watching the cooking of the large steaks in this manner was very interesting to many delegates.
On July 1st we wished our hosts, Happy Canada Day and departed for the Highway 21 Group at Hanna AB operated by the Miller Family. Ed and Linda Miller started Highway 21 Feeders over 50 years ago and now incorporates three generations of the family. The rain got to us here and we toured through their facility in the bus with the team giving us commentary. They operate a Grow Safe operation in their cow calf division. They aim to make feeder cattle more profitable in their 20,000 head lot at Acme. Their cow calf operation consists of nearly 1000 mother cows including Charolais and Simmental/Angus breeders. They quoted 85% of their cost of production was feed costs. This was an interesting visit with information provided on feed conversion and the effect of profit in their feedlot.
During lunch at the Delia Hall the Highway 21 team presented data on their program and the benefits of feed efficiency and conversion. One slide showing the cost of feed and different conversion rates highlighted low converters producing a loss to highly efficient animals achieving a profit of over $500 per head.
The afternoon was spent at the Stettler Fairgrounds where Alberta Charolais breeders made a tremendous effort to display cattle from breeders around the province. Cattle were displayed indoors in large pens and delegates could meander round and visit with the breeders. Here we ran into Gavin O’Brien who was in town for the day. A large dinner was held that night with superb catering and entertainment by the extremely talented two-time Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, Ethan Harty.
Hunter Charolais welcome sign.
Hunter Charolais females on display.
Australians, Sharon Nesbitt, Sarah Nesbitt, Jen Wilson and Jane Wedgwood.
Sunblade Charolais pen on display for visitors.
A display at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
The attention to detail at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum was very impressive.
Eight youth delegates were on the World Congress. Laurena Jeannot (France) Miklos Szentpetery (Hungary), Dora Nemeth (Hungary), Eszter Szentpetery (Hungary), Harry Morris (England), Jessica Barfoote (New Zealand), Deana Barfoote (New Zealand) & Sarah Nesbitt (Australia).
Rosso Charolais herd sire, C2 Hiroshima 42H (P).
White Cap Charolais pen including sires OCR Fatboy J89 (P) and Diamond W Supremacy 68K (P).
Thankful for protective booties, very muddy
Elder’s Charolais ET calves on display at White Cap.
Howe Coulee Charolais females in the pasture.
Connie & Lee Eaton’s 55 wedding anniversary was announced at the White Cap Charolais dinner.
Breeders at Rosso Charolais, Moose Jaw.
Contented Charolais donor females at the Bovigen AI & ET Centre, Moose Jaw.
Bull pens at Bovigen.
Arrowquip gear at Norheim Livestock Equipment.
Breeders at Cederlea Charolais
Heifers being joined at Cederlea Charolais.
Valley’s End herd sire, Pleasant Dawn Mobile 103F.
World Congress 2024: Canada
...cont from page 71
The banner for Champion Full French bull in the 2023 Virtual show was presented to the owners of Southside Exotic 11H (P). Alberta Charolais Youth had a stand and operated a fundraising event during the visit.
In Red Deer the opportunity to undertake retail therapy at Jones Boys Saddlery and Western Wear store was visit one on Day eleven. Considerable packages were added to the storage compartments on the bus. A quick drive and we arrived at the Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail. This wildlife park features many animals with a strong bear exhibit. We took in the Bear Experience and after the opportunity was available to take a photograph with a live bear. This was a great experience with just a hot wire between the bear and the person. The staff here gave a highly informative talk on bears and how to deal with them in the wild. Two baby bear cubs being bottle fed was a neat viewing experience.
A drive through the Highway 21 feedlot at Acme was informative and some pens included some exceptional Charolais feeder steers. After lunch we headed to the last hotel for the tour in Calgary. A quick check in and the Charolais Charbray International Annual General Meeting was held. During the meeting Antonio Delgado from Mexico was elected President with Mexico to host the Technical Conference in 2025. Vice Presidents elected were Colin Rex, Australia and Hugo Retailleau, France, Secretary Candace By, Canada and Treasurer Cecile Lane, France. Sven-Olaf Hagg, Sweden was elected Chair of the Breed Development Committee.
Day 12 started with a visit to John Scott Productions at Longview, Alberta with the Rocky Mountains as a grand backdrop. This working ranch provides sets, livestock and staff for movie and television productions. The man himself is a super humble character that many would not know. He’s been involved in the industry for over 40 years, worked on 7 academy award winning movies, many television shows and other industry events.
Some of the actors he mentioned were Brad Pitt, Jackie Chan, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Selleck and films such as Legends of the Fall, Lord of the Rings, Billy the kid and more than one could remember. Different sets were spread over the ranch and you sort of expected a cowboy to ride over the hill at any time guns blazing. John mentioned on one film he had forty farriers working full time to keep the horses involved shod. This was an amazing experience and very interesting and informative.
After lunch we headed to McLeod Livestock at Cochrane where the CML herd and Triple M herds had assembled a great display. Delegates braved the winds to inspect a large display including the $245,000 sire SCX Jehu 233E (P). The highly successful “Genetics for the World” sale was conducted here giving international visitors an insight in Canadian auctioneering. The sale topped at $85,000 for the pick of the Elders Charolais herd.
cont page 74....
W2 Mr Leroy 315L (P), a M&M Outsider 4003 son.
Impressive calf at CK Sparrow Farm.
Females in the pasture at CK Sparrow Farm.
Cooking steak in a pitchfork fondue.
Herd sire at Highway 21 Charolais and Feeders.
Above and Below: Alberta Charolais breeders had a very impressive display at Stettler.
Steve Skillington, on the set of “Billy the Kid”. Part of a set at John Scott Productions.
Part of the impressive display at Stettler by the Alberta Charolais breeders.
Discovery Wildfire Park, Innisfail AB.
Discovery Wildfire Park, Innisfail AB.
Alberta scenery from the bus.
Tourist wranglers Robbie and Craig hard at it. John Scott was a great man to listen to.
Albert scenery at John Scott’s ranch. Longview AB.
Hospitality area at McLeod Livestock.
Triple M Charolais display at McLeod Livestock.
Part of the large display at McLeod Livestock.
A large crowd witnessed the “Genetics for the World” Sale held during the Congress.
The McLeod Family and Craig Scott.
The stunning beauty of Banff.
The stunning beauty of Banff.
Charolais Charbray International President Helge By and Secretary Candace By at the AGM.
World Congress 2024: Canada
...cont from page 73
Banff and a free day to explore was the activity for Day 13. This stunning part of Canada is majestic and delegates had a wide range of activities to partake in. Some took the gondola to the top of the mountain, others hiked to see the beautiful scenery and others shopped down the picturesque main street. On the way home, a wild bear popped out of the road side bush giving delegates a viewing highlight.
Tonight, the Final Banquet was held with another stunning meal. Delegates from all countries made presentations to the hosts for a super memorable tour where friendships were rekindled or made with a backdrop of superb scenery. The Charolais Charbray Herdbook de Mexico President, Antonio Delgado made a presentation to Candace and Helge By and Craig Scott for their efforts in delivering the World Congress. He also made a presentation to Australian General Manager Colin Rex for his work in chairing the International Breed Development committee for the last five years. In the Australian thank you to our hosts, delegates were welcomed to Australia for the World Congress in 2026.
The Robert Gosse band then played into the night for delegates to enjoy. Friday July 5th, the last day on tour started with breakfast at the Canadian Charolais Association office with Dustin Farr providing live music. After a pancake with maple syrup breakfast the offices of the Association were open to tour.
It was very interesting to see the history on the walls of the office including all the past president photos. The delegates then continued on to the Calgary Stampede for an afternoon of rodeo, chuck wagons and entertainment. All the attendees were impressed with this internationally renowned event.
So, after a fortnight of amazement, scenery, fellowship and great cattle, Saturday July 6th marked the day we dispersed either home or to onwards travel. Congratulations to all involved from the Canadian Charolais Association, your efforts made a memorable tour for all. To Candace, Helge, Robbie, Craig, Candice and Darwin our daily hosts, words don’t express the appreciation for all your efforts. The World Congress is a combination of culture, scenery and cattle, Canada, you got it right. The Canadian World Congress 2024 will be remembered, relived and remarked up on for many years to come. Look out for details on the next international event, the 2025 Technical Conference to be held in Mexico, April 2025.
The breakfast at the Canadian Charolais Association office with musician Dustin Farr.
Australian delegates at the Final Gala. Image courtesy Charolais Banner.
A huge thank you to our hosts, Canadian General Manager Craig Scott, CCA Board member Darwin Rosso, tour organisers Helge & Candace By, Candice and Robbie Chomik from Charolais Banner. Nothing was too much for this team. Image courtesy Charolais Banner.
New Charolais Charbray International President. Mr Antonio Delgado, Mexico.
It’s Canada, the last photo had to be hockey, Craig Scott and the Cederlea hound shooting pucks into a practice net.
The increased industry commentary on the strength of Charolais bull sales in 2024 reflects a great result. With more bulls sold for a higher average than 2023 the results reflect the industry assessment of Charolais capabilities. Commercial producers are taking the opportunity to access heterosis and the associated benefits to drive profitability in their enterprises.
Six of the top ten sires at auction have headed into commercial breeding programs. Twenty-nine Charolais bulls made $30,000 or more at auction and the overall breed average rose by $600 per bull. For the second time in history the 1,800 sires sold at auction was achieved. Amongst a plethora of breed choices, commercial cattle breeders are choosing to utilize the advantages of Charolais genetics in their breeding programs. This reflects the strong demand for Charolais sired steers and heifers generating great returns for producers especially in the northern breeding areas.
Overall 2024 ranks as the second-best year on record for Charolais bull auction sales in Australia. The best year was 2022 when the cattle market was exceptional so this result is right up there when you consider the variance in the current cattle market to 2022. The other pleasing point is the member feedback on the strength of private bull sales backing up the auction trend.
Several sales recorded exceptional averages for the entire draft with Palgrove annual sale achieving an average of $20,312 for 93 bulls. Bauhinia Park averaged $19,268 for 41 bulls with Ascot and Moongool both averaging over $16,000. Queensland sales achieved a clearance rate of 96% indicating the depth of demand for Charolais sires in the north.
Moongool MR T539 (P) topped the year in Queensland and nationally at $75,000 when he sold to Elridge and Clare Charolais studs at the Moongool on property sale. Sired by DSK K25 Quickshake Q29E (P) and from a dam of strong French bloodline influence this bull weighed in at 1032kg at 22 months with an EMA scan of 151cm2. Ross Warren speaking on behalf of the syndicate said “he had real sire’s presence, length and thickness with a beautiful skin”. This bulls EBVs rank him in the top 5% for all growth traits.
Second top price for the years was 4 Ways MM Tex (P)(R/F) sold for $62,500 to Rosetta Grazing, Mount Coolon at the 4 Ways, Emerald, Queensland based sale. 4 Ways MM Tex was sired by Moongool MR Q551 (P)(R/F) with a Moongool Lunar Rise (P) daughter as his dam. This bull carries a double cross of Silverstream Evolution. This bull has five generations of Moongool sires in his pedigree. This bull is destined for a bull breeding paddock with red Brahman cows to produce bulls for their own use. Rosetta Grazing, were strong operators at many Charolais sales this year including Moongool Under the Louvre U592 for $42,000, the 10th highest price. This bull placed second at Brisbane Royal this year and is sired by the poll full French sire, ANC Kind (P). Moongool also sold Moongool Trademark (P) at the National Sale during Beef Australia for $55,000 to Wellington Cattle Co.
cont page 78....
Palgrove Trout T1107E (P)
#=3: $60,000
Vendor: Palgrove Charolais
Purchaser: Minnie-Vale Charolais
Moongool Trademark (P)
#=5: $55,000
Vendor: Moongool Charolais
Purchaser: Wellington Cattle Co
Palgrove Testament T1258E (P)(ET)
#=7: $50,000
Vendor: Palgrove Charolais
Purchaser: L & S Bode
Ascot
The Man T207E (P)
#=3: $60,000
Vendor: Ascot Charolais
Purchaser: Rosedale & Silverstream Charolais
Palgrove Texas Ranger T1232E (AI)(ET)(P/S)(R/F)
#=5: $55,000
Vendor: Palgrove Charolais
Purchaser: L & S Bode
Palgrove Torpedo T950E (AI)(P) #9: $45,000
Vendor: Palgrove Charolais
Purchaser: Avalon Cattle Co
Rangan Duty Free T79 (AI)(P) #=7: $50,000
Vendor: Rangan Charolais
Purchaser: Futurity Charolais
Moongool Under The Louvre U592 #10: $42,000
Vendor: Moongool Charolais
Purchaser: Rosetta Grazing
Table 1: Top Ten Bulls at auction sales 2024
Performance in Demand
...cont from page 77
Palgrove had four sires in the top ten prices with their best, Palgrove Trout T1107E (P) selling to Minnie-Vale stud for $60,000. Sired by 200Wt trait leader, Palgrove Queenstown Q1757E (P) this bull has a very impressive EBV set. Strong Palgrove supporters, the Bode Family from McKinley purchased Palgrove Texas Ranger T1232E (AI)(ET)(P/S)(R/F) for $55,000 and Palgrove Testament T1258E (P)(ET) for $50,000. The fourth Palgrove sire in the top ten, Palgrove Torpedo T950E (AI)(P) sold for $45,000 to Avalon Cattle Co.
Ascot The Man T207E (P) a homozygous poll son of Rosedale Lump Son (P) topped the Ascot production sale selling to Rosedale and Silverstream (NZ) studs for $60,000. Ascot Charolais have retained a semen interest in this sire. The dam of this bull was sired by the $40,000 (3rd top price in 2016) Palgrove Kudos K735E (P)(R/F). Kudos is a trait leader for 200-day weight. Ascot commented on “The Man” in their catalogue “They don’t come much better than this very impressive, powerful bull. One of the best bulls we have bred. He has stood out since a calf & we picked him to use in the stud late last year & early this year, as we were so taken by him. He has so much capacity, length, volume, extra bone & depth of flank for a mid-frame score bull”.
Ascot was well supported by return buyers with Pointon Pastoral, Manumber purchasing 14 bulls to average $13,071. In an article in the Queensland Country Life in July, Pointon Pastoral manager Clint Gollan quoted they had 56 Ascot bulls in their program, adding they had been using Ascot bulls for nine years with the progeny having plenty of punch.
Rangan Duty Free T79 (AI)(P) was the only sire in the top ten sold outside Queensland. Topping the Rangan production sale in Victoria at $50,000 he is bound for stud duties at Futurity Charolais, Baradine NSW. This homozygous poll bull is sired by Turnbull’s Duty Free 358D (P) a Canadian sire that has bred very well in Australia. His sons have met strong demand in sales across the country. This is a record price for a Charolais sire at auction in Victoria. Breeder Graeme Cook considered this bull “as good as he has bred”.
Looking at the data in Table 2 below, the trend line for both sale numbers and average price is very healthy. As a society we have no doubt that more sires could be offered at auction and increase the number of bulls knocked down under the hammer.
Table 2: Charolais Auction Summary 2015 - 2024
At all times it must be remembered that there are many other breeds competing for the purchaser’s dollar and the fact Charolais sales and bull averages are increasing indicates the regard the breed is held in by the commercial industry.
In Queensland 1,344 bulls sold to average $11,634 at an 96% clearance. Across the Queensland sales $15,636,098 was grossed easily making it the best performing state on bull demand. Five sales, Palgrove, Ayr, ANC, Moongool and Ascot achieved a gross of $1 million plus with Palgrove generating an exceptional $1,889,000. In terms of bulls sold, Ayr sold 146 bulls at auction to average $10,829 and ANC sold 118 bulls to average $11,644. At all of the above sales there were many sires that were heading to other stud herds for sire duties with poll bulls having an edge on selection criteria.
In New South Wales, Palgrove had a solid sale at Scone with five bulls topping the sale at $20,000 with the overall average $13,154. Futurity Charolais topped the state at $32,500 when their Futurity Ultimate U232E (P) sold to Lilydale Charolais in Queensland. This bull has exceptional growth data and promising carcase data.
Sired by BREEDPLAN 200WT trait leader, Palgrove Quintessential Q1544 (P), this homozygous poll youngster was described in the Futurity catalogue as “rarely do we see such outstanding physical attributes match by a data set that can take a breeding program to a new level”. Futurity Ultimate (P) is a maternal brother to Temana Quest that sold for $42,000 to Moongool in 2021. Ultimate weighed 778kg at 17 months with purchaser Ross Sticklen commenting “the data, raw performance and EBV’s are outstanding for such a young bull”.
Rosedale Tequila (P) sired by Rosedale Premier made $24,000 selling to John and Roz Mercer, Kandanga Valley Charolais, Kandanga Queensland. This bull ranked in the top 10% of the breed for 200- and 600-day weight. John Mercer said after the sale “Tequila’s muscling and milk traits: were appealing”. Kandanga Valley also purchased another bull, Rosedale Trump Card (P) for $18,000. Mudgee stud breeders, Malcolm and Helen Swords paid $18,000 for Rosedale Typhoon (P) sired by Rosedale Maverick (P)(R/F). A third Rosedale bull made $18,000 when Rosedale Tax Free (P) sold to commercial operators, Merrivale Partnership, Curlewis.
Bull sales in the southern regions were more subdued due to the strong Angus influence in that market. Against the trend to purchase black bulls, Rangan Charolais had a cracker of a sale averaging $9,042 for 32 bulls sold. With the demise of the Yea multi vendor sale the number of bulls offered at auction has decreased in Victoria. Mount William topped at $11,000 twice and sold 27 bulls for a $6,556 average.
Charolais bulls returned to Alice Springs bull sale at the annual show last year.
Boulview Charolais operated by the Fogden Family at Loxton SA offered and sold three Charolais bulls to a top of $6,200 and average $5,967. Across northern sales it appeared that more Charolais sires were sold into the Northern Territory last year than in previous years.
In Western Australia the uncertainty of the government’s intervention in the live sheep export market and a very dry 2023 reduced purchasers’ confidence. The state’s top price bull was Silverstone Tex (P)(R/F) at $40,000. Sold at the on property Silverstone sale at Narrikup this bull headed east to B & C Scott, Maryvale, Wee Waa, New South Wales. Tex was sired by Ascot Kilo Packer Q38E (P) and weighed 984kg at 23 months. Ranking highly in growth traits this impressive sire caught many visitors attention. The Silverstone sale averaged $8,591 for the 22 bulls sold at auction. Two bulls sold for $12,000 each, one to local commercial breeders BJ Panizza Family Trust, Albany and the second to Clare Charolais, Eidsvold Queensland.
At the Supreme Multi vendor bull sale, Peter and Judy Milton topped the Charolais section at $13,000 for Copplestone Tramp (P) selling to SN Dunnett, Pemberton. The Dunnett’s run 200 commercial Angus females with 75% joined to Charolais sires.
The highlight for Charolais females sold at auction was the offering at the 2024 Charolais National sale held during Beef Australia. This sale topped at $26,000 for Glenlea Nolana 153rd (P)(R/F) offered by Glenlea Charolais and purchased by Taylor Livestock and Simpson Charolais. This 13 month old heifer was one of the first progeny of Canadian record sire ($CAN 235,000) SCX Jehu 233X (P).
Table 3: Top Ten Averages: Sales 2024
The Whitechurch family at 4 Ways Charolais sold a live heifer, 4 Ways MLR Refine T94E (P) to PJ Charolais at Glen Innes NSW for $25,000 and Palgrove offered a pick of two ET heifers. Palgrove Clara U1305E (ET)(P)(R/F) sold for $24,000 to High Country Livestock.
The Platzer family, Sanlara Park sold a female for $13,000 to top the annual Charnelle sale at Toowoomba in March. Sanlara Park Nadia with a Silverstream National bull calf at foot sold to Bauhinia Park Charolais at Emerald. Bauhinia Park then sold the second top price female, Bauhinia Park Sandra 27 to Lachlan Dickson, Chelbrook Charolais, Biloela for $11,000. ANC Charolais offered females for the first time in several years at their annual sale topping at $12,000 for ANC Oberon’s Freya selling to Judith Turner, Jay Tees Charolais at Carrara. All things considered, a great year for Charolais.
Bull Sale Summaries 2024
1: Kandanga Valley Sir (P)(R/F)
2: Ashdan Glenlea Louis S4E (P)
3: Mountview Texas (R/F)
4: Glenlea Pheonix S329 (P)
5: Moongool Trademark (P)
6: TCW Livestock The King (P)(R/F)
8: Lilydale Tailormade (P)(R/F)
7: Glenlea Pheonix T318 (P)(R/F)
9: Kandanga Valley Tryo (P)(R/F)
11: Glenlea Fairfield Phoenix U6 (P)
10: Diamond L Thor (P)(R/F)
12: Bauhinia Park Target (P)(R/F)
14: Kilkenny T151
13: Advance Tango T1 (P)(R/F)
15: ANC Tapestry (P)
18: Kilkenny T324 (R/F)
17: Clare Titan (P)
4 Ways
Bull Sale Summaries 2024
20: Hopgood Toughen Up (P)
21: Ayr Ngoora’s Antler
22: Reids Tabasco (P)(R/F)
22: Reids Tatum (P)(R/F)
22: Reids Tyson (AI)(P)(R/F)
23: Palgrove Trout T1107E (P)
25: Ascot The Man T207E (P)
24: Glenlea JR T243 (P)(R/F)
26: Moongool Mr T539 (P)
18: Kilkenny T95
19: Barambah-Dale T-Rex (P)
18: Kilkenny T401
Queensland
“Lucy has been an integral part of the branding of GLENLEA BEEF during the last decade, including the design of our logo! Her skills have helped us create digital and print ads, brochures and our MANY sale catalogues - producing 5 last year and 18 in last 4 years! Lucy understands the marketing of stud cattle, info from breed society data bases and how best to present images on the page.”
Roderick Binny, GLENLEA BEEF
2: Venturon Tax Free T40 (AI)(P)
3: Silverstone Tex (P)(R/F)
4: Copplestone Tramp T1 (P)
5: Liberty Unforgetabull U78E (P)(R/F)
6: Bardoo Talent (P)
Bull Sale Summaries 2024
New South Wales
1: Mount William Tug Boat (AI)(P)
1: Kenmere Tornado T291E (P)
2: Challambi Toronto (AI)(ET)(P)(R/F)
3: Violet Hills Thorpe (P/S)
3: Violet Hills Tallwood (P)
3: Violet Hills Tomaso (P/S)
4: Rosedale Tequila T135E (P)
5: Palgrove Teddy (P)
5: Palgrove Traction (P/S)
5: Palgrove Trademark (P)
5: Palgrove Throne (P)
5: Palgrove Trooper T2313E (AI)(P)
6: Minnie-Vale Tattoo (P)
9: Wakefield Thunderstruck (P)
8: Alpine Territory (AI)(ET)(P)(R/F)
10: Futurity Ultimate U232E (P)
11: Elstow Tipperary (P)(R/F)
11: Elstow Undies (P)
7: PJ Turbo T14E (P)(R/F)
Events 2025
All event/sale information is based on information supplied.
the latest information, event updates and new events
January 6th
(tbc) to be confirmed
Charolais office opens for trading, 2025.
January 31
2025 Charolais Membership Fees Due
February 10, 11
February All Breeds Bull & Female Sale CQLX, Gracemere Qld. Contact Agents Nutrien & Elders
February 14
Mt William Production Sale Mt William Station, Willaura Vic. Web: www.mtwilliamcharolais.com.au
February 21
Venturon Livestock Bull Sale
On property Boyup Brook, WA Web: www.venturon.com.au
February 21
Glenlea Heart of the Herd Female Sale Web: www.glenleabeef.com.au
Bardoo Charolais On Property Bull Sale On property, Elgin WA. Contact Barry Bell 0427 966 126
AUGUST 2026
WORLD CHAROLAIS CONGRESS AUSTRALIA
Born Calves: Year Identification for
Thank you Nicole
Nicole Nicholls, Tookawhile Charolais was our awesome bus driver and great company for the Charolais Charbray International Youth Program. Nicole did an awesome job in some exceptionally wet weather and got everybody safely from Toowoomba to Armidale via Roma. Thanks Nicole, you did an superb job and we all appreciate your efforts.
Thank you to the village
To all the Youth committee, parents, members, sponsors, educational lecturers, caterers, photographers, friends, judges, stewards, truck drivers and entrants, the whole village that came together delivering an exceptional Youth Stampede, so many contributed we won’t mention individuals, it really was a village effort from so many, thank you!
Thank you Chris
Chris Knox, DSK Charolais has made unique awards for the Charolais Youth Stampede for many years including this year at Inverell. One of a kind and truly unique, Chris does a great job in delivering something special each event. Chris also made a frame for a print sold to raise money for Youth activities in 20217. The General Manager purchased the print, and it now hangs in the Charolais Society office.
