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| BREED SELECTION |
The selection of all pedigree breeding stock merits considerable care and attention to detail, whilst the selection of a herd sire is themost critical of all since he contributes half the genetic potential of the calf crop and in this respect is half the herd. An animal's performance and physical appearance are the result of the combination of genes it gets from its parents and any management effects it receives such as feeding, housing and scason of birth. While good feeding and management will enable animals to look good and to perform up to their maximum potential, only the genetic part of an animal's performance can be transmitted to its progeny.
The original Irish Charolais herds were established by importing young stock from France. Breed development throughout the world has altered the original French imports with the adaption of the Charolais cattle to suit various environments in relation to the economics of production. In Ireland we are no différent and have brought to bare the characteristics we believe are of prime importance. Imports remain a vital source of new blood lines.
New breeders would be well advised to acquire breeding stock at:
| 1 |
The official Charolais Society spring and autumn sales where BLUP figures
will be available on a large number of entries. |
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Occasional dispersal and/or draft sales under the auspices of the Charolais Society, |
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By direct purchase from the farms of members of the Society. |
| 4 |
All animals sold at official Charolais Society sales must comply with certain standards before being allowed into the sale. Furthermore, they all carry a no-nonsense guarantee of fertility. Most Charolais breeders take every precaution to see that the stock they sell are genuinely sound and many offer fertility guarantees. |
BUYING YOUR FIRST FEMALE
The first step in establishing a herd is the choice of females. The breeder should decide to buy the best stock available and to take time in establishing a herd. The new breeder should either acquire a knowledge of the characteristics of Charolais before starting a herd or, alternatively, obtain assistance from an established cattleman or from the Secretary of the Society, who is always available to assist potential purchasers.
While the new breeder should decide which characteristics are most desirable in his stock, size, muscling and structural soundness are the essential qualities which must never bc overlooked.
Many Irish herds of Charolais have a small number of cows and rely entirely on A.I. to get them in calf.
In this case, weakness in individual cows should be compensated for by breeding them to bulls with strong characteristics in these areas. When it is the intention to build up numbers to justify the use of a herd sire. it is desirable to build more uniformity into the cow herd since the one bull is to be mated with all the cows.
BUYING YOUR STOCK BULL
The selection of a stock bull requires considerable care. The females in the herd should be carefully studied, their faults noted, the points in need of improvement listed and all those points borne in mind while the choice of bull is being made. While a young bull is normally selected initially on visual appearance, it is most desirable that this be supported by officially recorded performance data ie. BLUP figures and that the animal is clearly superior to his contemporaries. Finally, it is wise to inspect his sire and dam if this be at all possible. A great deal of time and expense can be saved by the right choice of bull and nothing should be spared in trying to find him.Prospective purchasers are advised to seek the help of the Charolais Society with their initial purchases. Herd sires should not be bought on price alone, as a successfül sire is cheap at any money.
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