16/10/06
Pure Charolais steers are consistently demonstrating
performance that exceeds their Charolais cross counterparts and subsequently,
achieving the highest gross return according to the third set of
interim results from a trial at SAC Bush commissioned by the British
Charolais Cattle Society.
SAC’s Gavin Hill and SAC Bush’s stockman Ken Oman
among the pure commercial Charolais herd
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The purebreds supported average daily liveweight gains
of 1.37kg and the majority graded in the U bracket and fat class
3 or 4L, making them eligible for a premium market.
The trial which was primarily designed by BCCS to investigate
the role of purebred Charolais as a potential suckler damline in
the UK, is mirroring the role played by the breed in its native France
where the suckler population amounts to approximately two million
purebred Charolais cows. A sub herd of 30 commercial purebred Charolais
heifers was established four years ago within SAC’s 200 cow
spring calving herd on its Easter Howgate LFA unit. The heifers were
sourced from several herds as functionally sound for commercial breeding
purposes.
Apart from focusing on the purebred commercial Charolais
heifers which have demonstrated that they can calve down at an average
two years with minimal assistance, the trial is investigating the
pure Charolais male calves, a by-product from the trial. These were
steers and introduced to an intensive finishing system post weaning
at seven to eight months to determine level of performance.
“The latest trial results reflect the pure Charolais steers’ ability
to maximise market potential for both weight and grades, and they
are encouraging when taking into account their sire was selected
for his maternal ability,” explains SAC’s beef specialist,
Gavin Hill. “The pure Charolais and Charolais cross steers
recorded an identical lifetime daily live weight gain of 1.30kg.
See Table 1. A very similar trend was reported in the crop of steers
12 months earlier.
Table 1: Lifetime performance
|
Charolais |
Charolais cross |
Weaning to slaughter:
ave DLG kg |
1.20 |
1.20 |
Overall birth to slaughter:
ave DLG kg |
1.30 |
1.30 |
Ave final weight:
kg |
610 |
579 |
Ave age at slaughter:
days |
436 |
409 |
Ave gross slaughter
return: £/head |
795.41 |
746.99 |
Source:
SAC 2006
“However, the pure Charolais steers were grown on to heavier
weights at slaughter without putting down unwanted fat levels,” he
reports. “In fact they produced superior carcase grades over
the Charolais cross steers with more than 70% of pure Charolais steers
grading U 4L or better.” See Table 2. “That extra weight,
plus superior conformation enabled them to achieve the highest average
gross return of £795 a head.”
Table 2: grading %
|
Charolais |
Charolais cross |
-U3 |
7 |
13 |
-U4L |
65 |
21 |
-U4H |
0 |
8 |
R3 |
21 |
0 |
R4L |
7 |
33 |
R4H |
0 |
25 |
Source:
SAC 2006
“Overall, these findings reinforce the trial’s previous
results, and conclude that under the new payment regime, purebred
Charolais will suit the market place with their ability to finish
at optimum weight at an early age.” explains Mr Hill. “In
addition, we reared these cattle to match a specific target market
where substantial premiums are paid for U3, U4L and R3 Grade cattle.”
He comments: “It is vital that we target the right market
for our cattle today. Processors vary often in specification and
weight they are looking for, therefore producers need to be aware
of who wants what and match it accordingly. While we grew the pure
Charolais on for a little longer for additional weight, our stockman
had the skill to identify exactly they were ready to be drawn to
achieve the best carcase grades. However as with many other pure
breeds there is vital importance in developing and identifying those
bulls with good maternal lines which will breed suitable replacements
for the herd while also producing finishing cattle that will suit
the market place in the future on an economic basis.”
BCCS’ David Benson comments: “The latest
SAC results confirm that the real value of Charolais has so far,
without a doubt, been under estimated in the UK. While an increasing
number of commercial producers are realising the breed’s value
as a terminal sire and its ability to demonstrate growth is king,
the role of the pure Charolais role within the suckler herd is now
being proven in the SAC trial. Once again, purebred Charolais steers
have delivered equal if not higher performance and subsequently higher
returns than Charolais crosses, findings which need to be seriously
taken on board by dedicated suckler producers who are currently reassessing
their businesses to find the most cost effective system in the run
up to 2012.” He adds: “They must also remember that the
cows themselves are also scheduled to eventually command premiums
in the cull marketplace.”
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