Cheshire cattleman, Steve Bailey will be challenged by a line up of 190 Charolais bulls in Carlisle on Saturday May 14 when he judges the breed society's official late spring show prior to those lots coming under the hammer.

He will also have the opportunity to judge the previous afternoon the event's female entry of 50 head plus calves.

“I'll be searching for bulls that demonstrate good conformation, locomotion and growth - the trait that makes the Charolais so great, together with that essential spark which contributes to an outstanding champion,” says Steve who is a frequent vendor at Carlisle.

The same principles apply back home at Upper Lightwoodgreen Farm, Audlem, near Crewe where he farms a 265 acre unit carrying his 18 cow pedigree Charolais Beeline herd, and his son, Robert's up and coming Robs pedigree Charolais herd alongside a flying herd of 170 commercial dairy cows, all of which are put to a homebred Charolais bull.

“Firm demand for Charolais bulls led us to diversify more than 10 years ago and establish the herd with top quality genetics,” he said. “Since, numbers have grown as we've focused on breeding cattle for the top end of the commercial sector.

“Today, we're finding that interest in the breed has never been stronger, simply because Charolais leaves those quality calves that pay and have the potential to leave real profit. Charolais crosses are easy to calve, they're easily fleshed and they demonstrate consistent superior weight for age, together with dominant colour markings.”

He added: “Since the new SFP regime was introduce this year, we have already seen the trade for quality Charolais crosses looking stronger than ever, both in the beef and dairy ring. The gap between Charolais crosses and other Continental crosses has started to widen even further as finishers realise that Charolais cross cattle are streets a head on growth rate.”

Steve who represents the North Midlands region on the British Charolais Cattle Society's council of management is a familiar face on the county show circuit having judged Charolais at numerous events, along with the society's official sale at Welshpool. He has also achieved success for his own herd in at the various centres including 5,200gns at Perth with his class winner, Beeline Regent.