CCYA Essay Winners

Why Charolais? – Tyson Black, Foresters Fall, ON

Junior – $125

I was born into a charolais family. I wanted to know why we raised charolais cattle, so I asked my Dad. When my Dad was twelve years old they had a dairy farm with a few beef cows. One day when the AI man was at the farm to breed a dairy cow, one of the commercial cows was in heat. He asked if they wanted to breed the cow to a charolais bull. They had never heard of charolais in this area. It was 1969 and charolais came to Foresters Falls. The next spring the black white-faced cow had a tan coloured calf, and he named it Blackbern Brownie 1B. It was his first 4-H calf. Brownie outperformed all the other calves on the farm that year When Dad was seventeen he bought his first registered charolais cow. I wanted to know why he decided on Charolais and he said things were really exciting in the Charolais industry at that time. Charwil Ranch in Pembroke had a large group of full French cows in the front pasture. This was the most impressive group of cattle most people had ever seen. The beef industry needed to change from small framed British Breeds and Charolais bulls were used to increase size and muscle. Thirty-six years later we are still in the charolais business. Our charolais bulls out sell all other breeds in our area. Multi-coloured commercial cow herds like to use the big white bull to bring uniform colour to the calves. Stockyards like charolais cross calves because of their ability to gain quickly and produce more dollars per animal. I’m glad we raise charolais cattle. The cattle are quiet and easy to work with. The people in the charolais industry are friendly, helpful and a lot of fun to be around. That’s why I like charolais.

Why Charolais?– Wyatt Burgomaster, Peterborugh, ON

Junior – $75

Put “Why Charolais?” into Google on the computer (what most 11 year olds do to find answers) and you will see about 128,000 results. So how many pages can this essay be? "http://www.charolais.co.uk/why_ charolais.html" says that people pick Charolais because “Charolais delivers a consistent product…Quality confirmation… Ease of calving, temperament, growth rate and consistency.” Next on "http://www.charolais.co.za/whycharolais.php it says “Charolais cattle are highly efficient, well adapted, lean meat producers with tremendous growth potential.” Then I went to the Charolais Association website "http://www.charolais.com/" where it says “Proven Performance.” This is all interesting, but I am NOT like most 11 year olds. Where do I get my information from? My Poppa! Seeing as he has raised purebred Charolais cattle for 40 years, I would say Google’s got nothing on him! Poppa and Grandma are getting ready to drive out to PEI in a few weeks where they will celebrate that Anniversary. I sat down in my kitchen, where my Poppa grew up on this century farm, to interview him and find out “Why Charolais?”. When he was 19 he bought some Shorthorn and Herford cattle, 2 breeds popular to crossbreed. In 1961 he read about a Charolais Breeder who was using United Breeders here in Ontario to breed AI. He used his Shorthorn/Hereford females and Charolais AI Bulls and got calves that grew very quickly. Many local cattlemen told him that he was doing the wrong thing and that people wouldn’t want these calves. Poppa knew that it was the right thing and good choices aren’t always the popular ones. He didn’t get as much per pound but his calves had more weight than others at the sale barn. In 1967 Poppa married Grandma. They decided to start using Purebred Charolais Bulls along with their AI program. In 1971 they were using purebred bulls and getter whiter calves. They read in their local farm paper about another farmer who was a member of the CCA and the success he was having. It was Grandma’s idea to go purebred, they became members and formed their successful breeding operation. This was one time that Poppa was glad he listened to Grandma!

Since 1971 our family has been very involved with the OCA and CCA as executive and representatives. We have shown at fairs throughout Ontario, at the RAWF, Agribition and New York State Fair. Our Charolais cattle have won many awards including several times the Ontario Master Showherd Show Bull and Show Female and many Breeder’s Herds. We have even had many all breed competition wins and that says “Why Charolais” to me.

My Poppa told me about our cull cows after their breeding career and even calves that do not make our purebred cut, often topping the local stocker sales. For Poppa the business reason of “Why Charolais?”, is that “Charolais are a popular and well accepted choice in crossbreeds and many feed lots and have the ultimate beef production returns.” Why he would stay with Charolais if he remained in the beef industry all comes down to his experience over the past 40 plus years. “It is a pleasure working with these cattle and connecting with other Charolais enthusiasts and breeders across Canada”.

So “Why Charolais?” Who’s going to argue with Google, My Poppa or more importantly….My Grandma????

Intermediate – $200

High premiums, great demand, and growing popularity; these recent descriptions of the Charolais breed have many people asking the question “Why Charolais?” There are many reasons why this breed has been so successful. Cattlemen’s admiration of the yielding ability, consistency, and rate of gain that Charolais genetics offer has provided a new level of profitability for producers. In the cattle industry, where profitability is the main goal, efficiency is a key component to success, and the Charolais breed offers many traits that contribute to efficiency, and therefore a greater profit. One of the most important qualities Charolais offer is their high yielding carcass. This is especially important because in a business where producers are paid by the pound, muscling and carcass size are vital. Cattlemen from around the world are beginning to notice the impact Charolais is having on the industry. In an article in The Charolais Connection, Neil Gillies, General Manager of the Canadian Charolais Association interviewed a cattleman who went on to say, “For the packer, the Char-cross market animal provides a carcass with the optimum blend of quality and yield grade, for the feedlot operator… for the cow/ calf producer, the ability to maximize the production of pounds offered for sale”. (14) It is the outstanding growth and fleshing ability that has led to the great success of this breed. In recent years, more and more cattlemen are experimenting with the breed and more often than not, are continuing their use of Charolais genetics simply because there is no other breed that yields as well as Charolais. The tremendous growth and fleshing ability of the breed are major contributors to its profitability. Another admirable trait about the breed is their undeniable consistency. Charolais offer a distinct uniformity that does not exist in other breeds. In the sale ring, buyers are beginning to look for calves with distinctly Charolais traits, as they are aware that the Char-cross calves will do the best in their feedlot. Bob Fraser, a cattleman from High River, Alberta noted in an interview that his calves “have to be true Charolais”.(26) Charolais characteristics have become a main quality to look for, for many people, because buyers know what to expect from their Char-cross calves. Gaining higher premiums and having more pounds, buyers know they can depend on the charolais genetics to make them money. The fact that you can pick a Char-cross calf out anywhere, because of their obvious yellow, gray, white, or tan appearance helps support their popularity. Possibly the most reasonable explanation for the success of the Charolais breed, is because of their competitive and matchless rate of gain. It has been proven that Charolais cattle are some of the most high gaining and efficient cattle in the industry. Stan Jacobs, Cow Boss of Douglas Lake Ranch, was featured in a Charolais ad in the Canadian Cattlemen in March of 2010. He went on to say how “pleased [he is] with the extra weight the Charolais calves provide, with forty extra pounds at weaning time”.(64) It is because of this, the exceptional growth rate and extra pounds the calves possess, that the popularity of Charolais has increased around the world. When people know they can remain dependant on a certain breed, it is no wonder there is such admiration for Charolais genetics. The breed’s ability to gain extra pounds quickly and efficiently is what makes it so accepted throughout the industry. More pounds, more predictability, and more profit; these are ideal outcomes in the cattle industry. The Charolais breed, brought to Canada 1953, was imported to add to the qualities of British breeds by providing more performance, faster growth, and the potential to outweigh the traditional market cattle. Charolais have certainly done their job in the industry, and have succeeded in adding the necessary attributes to the previously existing herds. The use of Charolais cattle throughout the industry has advanced the overall efficiency for producers, and provided increased profit. These desired characteristics possessed by the Charolais breed have undoubtedly answered the question of “Why Charolais?”.

Why Charolais? – Courtney Black, Foresters Fall, ON

Intermediate - $100

When you’re standing in the wash racks at your local fair, thinking that your heifer is NEVER going to come clean, and you’re wondering why Charolais? - Charolais breeders need to remind themselves of the many positive things about this breed: consistent product; Charolais crosses well with a number of breeds; good growth potential; good temperament, and a good demand for the Charolais product. In addition to these traits, there are two other traits that have been bred into the Charolais breed through its supporting livestock organization. Since Charolais first appeared in Canada, organizations such as the CCA and other cattle associations have proactively improved the breed through specific genetic programs. When the Charolais breed was first brought into Canada in 1954, there were many rumors about the Charolais sired calves tipping the scales at unheard of weights.(1) Although the first calves were heavier than traditional British bred calves, the Charolais calves had flaws that the Canadian cattle breeders did not want. The first Charolais calves had large frames along with heavier birth weights and this caused calving problems for the smaller British cows. Since 1954 programs geared towards managing and monitoring genetics and performance have been introduced and are continually evolving. The proactive approach to

managing the Charolais genetics in Canada has led to mainly polled cattle and better calving ease.

Through structured formal programs operated on an ongoing basis, by the Canadian Charolais Association, the Charolais product is consistently delivered. One program is the CCA’s “Conception to Consumer Program (C – C) –designed and started with the 1968-70 program. This was the first large scale progeny test program in North America, and was designed to provide detailed information from breeding through slaughter and carcass evaluation of Charolais sires available through AI.” (1)

The breed as an organization is committed to continuous improvement and tries to ensure the Charolais product meets market requirements for both farmers and consumers.

Another area where the Charolais breed meets the needs of farmers, is in the cross breeding area. The Charolais breed is easily mixed with British breeds such as Herefords, Limousines, and Brahma, and its docile nature also makes it a desirable addition to any herd. This breed offers flexibility to farmers by cross breeding, enabling them to increase the size and performance of their herd’s offspring in a generation.

Charolais has proven to be great for cross breeding. The Charolais breed has a reputation for growth performance of its crossbred calves.

In fact, “The American International Charolais Association (AICA) Performance Database indicates average birth weights for bull calves decreased from 92 pounds in 1990 to 89 pounds in 2010, while weaning and yearling weights increased 37 pounds and 74 pounds during the same 20 year period. Similar results are supported by data collected through research at the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) which show a moderate 8-pound difference between Charolais-sired calves and Britishsired calves.” (2)

The Charolais industry continues to see a good demand for the Charolais product. Livestock breeders recognize the benefits of adding Charolais cattle to their herds. Charolais cross bred animals continue to be in demand. Charolais calves are known for their exceptional weaning weights and Canadian cattlemen recognize the important features Charolais cattle add to their operation.

The Charolais breed has such a high popularity, simply because of its own features. The breed performs well for the commercial feedlot farmer. The Charolais have a deep body with good muscling and good marbling and the cattle are relatively easy calvers largely due to the genetics program.

Now that your heifer is clean and you head into the show ring, you’re confident that the judge will place your Charolais heifer at the top of the class because of all its great qualities.

Why Charolais? – Autumn Jackson, Inglis, MB

Senior – $300

There are many breeds of cattle that have supplied the North American beef industry with high quality and consistent animals that have made it a power to reckon with – undeniably, one of the most important has been the Charolais. In over seventy countries, the Charolais breed is renowned as a leading terminal sire option to add more pounds, more marbling, higher yields, and in general, added value to beef programs.

Charolais cattle are renowned for being highly efficient, adaptable to both grass based and intensive feeding programs, tremendously docile, and lean meat producers with remarkable growth potential. Because these distinctive qualities are all economically essential for beef production, Charolais are an optimal breed of choice for both purebred and commercial beef programs.

With cattle prices as exciting as they are, it is no wonder that beef producers are looking for calves that will push the scale down in the fall. Charolais sired calves grow quickly, wean heavy off the cow, and have exceptional daily weight gains, resulting in incomparable weight for age results. According to Stan Jacobs, the cow boss at Douglas Lake Ranch, they see “at least an extra forty pounds and more on the Char-cross calves compared to the straightBritish breeds.”

Time and time again, reports show that Charolais calves consistently top the market. This proves what the industry said twenty years ago: the Charolais cross steer is the exemplar for today’s beef industry. With more pounds and a higher price paid, Charolais-sired calves equal more profit to the cattle producer.

The purebred Charolais business has always been one of which I am proud to belong to. The producers are continually evolving their herds to meet the purebred and commercial breeders’ needs within the beef industry.

Ultrasound, homozygous testing, embryo transplant, artificial insemination, and imported genetics are all commonly employed practices within the industry to produce high quality genetics, recognized as being dependable and outstanding.

This year, the Canadian Charolais Youth Association Conference and Show will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchean. CCYA has been the highlight of my summers for so many reasons. The atmosphere of each and every CCYA I have ever attended is predominantly created by the great attitudes of the youth; they are positive, creative, hard working, willing to learn, and willing to help others. CCYA has helped to create progressive, innovative, and contributing advocates for the Charolais and beef industries. For anyone who has ever attended a CCYA conference, it is very evident that the future of the Charolais industry is in good hands.

The future is bright for the Charolais industry. With cattle prices high and tan calves topping the markets, it is no wonder why more producers are leaning towards Charolais. I am optimistic that we will be seeing an increase in the amount of cattle in the Charolais barns at shows, and the keen youth who return year after year to attend CCYA are who will make it happen. The enthusiasm at Charolais youth events is

contagious, and it is a large component of the reason why it is so easy to support why I choose Charolais.

Why Charolais? – Megan Rosso, Moose Jaw, SK

Senior – $200

Being involved in the Charolais Industry helps you learn and realize the true reason why you began raising this magnificent breed in the first place. But if you are just getting into the cattle business, whether running a purebred or commercial cow/calf operation, or a fed calf operation this document will explain why the Charolais breed is the breed to use. The breeding programs show opportunities, impressive herd sires, top quality meat and the distinction between other breeds all explains why you should choose Charolais.

For any breed herd that you run you should use Charolais Bulls. For your purebred Charolais operation it’s obvious, but for a commercial operation here’s why. Charolais bulls have excellent progeny for muscling and conformation. They have a quiet and consistent temperament with the herd. Charolais bulls are always identifiable with their uniform coloring; they produce off white, yellow or smoky calves depending on the dam bred to. This makes the calves easier for buyers to pick out of the crowd, especially in a leading black market. Also, Charolais sired calves grow fast, they wean heavy off the cow, and they gain efficiently.

Working with a purebred producer, this is why you should breed primarily Charolais cattle. This breed of cattle is highly adaptable to many weather and geographic conditions. This breed has exceptional daily live weight gains that result in untouchable weight for age grades. Charolais cattle produce consistent and lean carcasses. For selling production cattle, they add much value to cross breeding programs. Charolais cattle produce profitable calves. They have been proven to be consistent at the top of the market; they have more pounds and a higher price paid per hundredweight. They also produce optimum sized carcasses with a higher percentage of value wholesale product and consistent yield grades of ones and twos.

Now from a consumer’s point of view, all we care about is the beef. Why should we eat Charolais beef? Charolais beef is chosen for its consistent, lean and well-sized carcasses. You get more beef for your buck. In France, Charolais beef is the chosen beef for most restaurants, even though not stated in menus. Yes, the Charolais breed originated from France, but it is the most predominant breed there, why wouldn’t they choose to serve it in their restaurants. But not only in France, Charolais beef has a reputation of being the “Gourmet Beef of Europe” (Beef FAQ’s). Consumers also say that Charolais beef is chosen because they are lean. People are fed up with fat beef and lean beef is in demand. A story from the Charolais Banner History page, it states that a “Beef Cattle Research Project” was conducted at the University of Saskatchewan. The second year they did the experiment feed conversion of Charolais cattle ranked the highest and people started to look into the breed. It was served at the Saskatchewan Livestock Association Convention as a prime rib dish that everyone was eating. Some even made the comments that it couldn’t be Charolais beef, but from then on people took charge with what the Charolais breed could do for them. This is why you should eat Charolais beef.

The Charolais breed has proven itself time and time again. With it’s top quality sires on the market for their excellent progeny conformation and muscling and high-end production market for their calves. The Charolais breed remains on top. There are more reasons that could be listed, but why keep rambling when you’re already convinced. These are the reasons WHY you should choose Charolais breed.

Thank you to everyone who supported the 2012 Charolais Calendar

This project is a great fundraiser for the Canadian Charolais Youth Association and allows the Charolais Banner to provide all the coverage that the CCYA program and the youth deserve. Book your space or sale date for next year's calendar by contacting the Charolais Banner or any youth member in your area.

Services