Technical Conference

Czech Republic 2023

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The Brno Exhibition also featured many other breeds of cattle, horses, sheep and farm machinery. Delegates could visit many other trade sites around the grounds. Interesting in the beef exhibition hall there was a meat vending machine where you could purchase the cut of your choice with a credit card. A whole pavilion was dedicated to game keeping and hunting with all sorts of weaponry on display and available for sale. Dinner on this night was a combined event with exhibitors.

The Technical Day was held in the hotel meeting rooms with three speakers from the Czech Republic starting proceedings. Josef Kucera from the Czech Moravian Breeders Corporation spoke on beef cattle breeding in the Czech Republic. He explained the Czech Republic has 10.5million inhabitants, 4.2 million hectares of agricultural land of which 1.1 million hectares is permanent grassland or pasture. Cattle production of total agriculture production is 19% milk and 6% beef. In 1996 there was 712,000 cattle of which only 38,000 were beef. In 2022 the national breeding herd has reduced to 358,000 of which 230,000 are beef females. The majority of beef herds are less than 200 head. Meat consumption per capita is low at 85kg per head of which only 8kg is beef.

The CMSCH also track animal registration and movements and distribute eartags for registered animals. Along with beef genetic evaluations they also operate a milk recording laboratory and a Genomic laboratory. Genetic material of endangered breeds are stored in a cryo bank and the company conducts research and development to aid farmers.

Alena Birovaš presented on the Czech Beef Breeders Association. The Czech Beef Breeders Corporation (CSCHMS) is an organization authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate and organise a genetic selection program for all beef breeds in the country. Included in the main objectives are performance recording certified by ICAR, exterior linear classification, selection of young bulls for breeding, provision of EBV’s, maintaining the herdbooks and promotion of beef cattle.

Each breed has their own Breeders Club which are independent in coordinating the activities and objectives for their breed. Of the 25 beef breeds in the country, Charolais, Angus, Beef Simmental and Limousin are the most popular. Charolais numbers have increased from 1,698 performance recorded calves in 1999 to 5,597 in 2022. Charolais bull calves born in 2022 averaged 46kg birth weight and 570kg at twelve months. Alena expanded on the selection and testing process for young bulls.

Zdeňka Veselá, Institute of Animal Science, Prague (Department of Genetics and Breeding of Farm Animals) presented on the genetic evaluation of beef cattle in the Czech Republic. She highlighted the first Czech breeding values were produced in the year 2000. An analysis is run four times a year. Her presentation showed excellent responses for calving ease and weaning weight since the introduction of EBVs with strong positive trends. Of interest the Angus breed are about to introduce scanning data for analysis.

With most of the European beef market having a low fat specification this has not been high priority in the past. Angus and Limousin breeds are also due to introduce a Single Step genomic evaluation in 2023. The Czech Republic also participate in Interbeef (European Evaluation) two times a year which is useful when selecting AI sires for import.

After these speakers the Annual General Meeting of Charolais Charbray International was held. Outgoing President, Kamil Milat (Czech Republic) handed over to Helge By from Canada as the incoming President. Canada is hosting the next World Congress in 2024. Colin Rex was re-elected as Chairperson of the International Breed Development committee which also held a meeting after the Annual General Meeting. This meeting allowed delegates from around the globe to raise items for discussion and feedback. Discussion on items such as Progressive Ataxia were extremely useful to assist each country to formulate their policies on the topic.

The next International Youth program will be hosted by Ireland with Australia hosting in 2024. The next Technical Conference will be hosted by Mexico in 2025. Australia will host the World Congress in 2026. After lunch each country in attendance presented on Charolais breeding and marketing in their countries and robust discussion took place between delegates. The Charolais breed has a presence in 80 countries around the world and it is a testament to the breeds ability to be able to meet market specifications in such diverse markets.

Dinner this night was in a wine cellar underground, where we had a wine explanation, wine tasting and Moravian folk music. The cellars were used as cells during the communist regime. Built soundly of brick the acoustics made for a super night of entertainment and conversation.