In its 15th year, the Southern Charolais Breeders Group Sale has grown to include more studs and offer more animals.
The event’s chairman Ken Manton, Clarinda Charolais, Hansonville, said the eight studs would be an outstanding quality lineup of 51 bulls and eight females on Wednesday March 1.
He said the catalogue included a large range of modern genetics, including some from overseas, and plenty of outcross proven bloodlines, which meant buyers would have a great opportunity to purchase quality cattle to add value to their herd.
This year’s sale includes lots from six Victorian studs: Allednaw, Chenu, Clarinda, Karingal, Lawaluk and Waterford; and two NSW studs: Airlie and Challambi.
This year, 45 of the 51 bulls are polled, and Mr Manton said that increasing percentage reflected more clients wanted polled animals.
Most of the bulls will be 18 months to two years old.
Mr Manton said the breed was growing in popularity as people realised the benefits of Charolais’ rapid growth, extra weight, quality of meat and temperament – including in cross-breeding operations.
“Lot feeders love Charolais because of their consistency – they know the quality of meat and the growth,” he said.
By using more modern genetics, including through artificial insemination and embryo transfers, Charolais stud breeders have also improved the breed’s birth weight and calving ease.
The sale will be held at the Yea saleyards for the second time.
Mr Manton said buyers reported liking the venue last year, and appreciated the ability to view the bulls and cows easily because they were in good size yards.
The group of passionate Charolais breeders is hopefully the sale will be at least as successful as last year, when from six studs 27 of 31 bulls sold to $10,000 twice and averaged $4426; and 11 of 15 females sold to $3750, av $2627.
Mr Manton said they’d had many Gippsland buyers in previous years and last year people from South Australia and NSW also joined the buying gallery.
Nigel Spink, Challambi Charolais, Tooma NSW, said he was excited to be a vendor for the first time this year.
Mr Spink wants to raise the profile of the stud he started in 2011, focused on more polled genetics, low birth weights and cattle that can finish off grass or at an early age.
He started with embryos from the Glenlea and Palgrove cows, followed by purchases of heifers from Glenlea and Rangan Park. He has used artificial insemination to build quality bloodlines into the herd.
“People are becoming more aware of the gain from hybrid vigour – particularly using Charolais over British breeds,” Mr Spink said.
