Australia
Charolais were the first European breed to enter Australia, by way of semen imports from the UK, and live animals from New Zealand, in 1969. In Australia, their numbers grew from the first calf, born in 1970, until there are now about 16,000 active registered breeding females in the Australian herdbook and 600 members Australia wide.
Australian Charolais continued to develop with the introduction of Charolais semen from Canada, as well as the continuing use of French/UK bulls. New Zealand also was ahead of Australia in numbers of purebred animals and many animals were imported to Australia.
Early stock imported to Australia were carefully selected, which has since meant that the modern Australian Charolais is extremely well suited to our conditions. Within just ten years of the first crossbred calf being born in Australia, the breed was recognized by commercial and stud producers alike for its top performance.In 1980, Charolais proved they were indeed a force to be reckoned with when they won the prestigious Hordern Trophy for the first time. Several more wins in this competition and many more Interbreed wins around Australia, including an unrivaled 13 wins at Brisbane Royal, have confirmed that Charolais are unbeatable for depth of quality. Their correctness, growth for age, masculinity in males, and femininity and milking ability in females can not be surpassed by any breed.
Since dominating the show ring, Charolais continue to be recognized in the commercial market place. In 2005, over $10 Million worth of Charolais bulls were sold at public auctions around the Country, demonstrating the importance and relevance of this great breed of cattle. (This increase to almost $12 Million in 2006).
Charolais sired calves are continually commanding top prices in the saleyards, while commercial cattlemen “in the know” are using Charolais and selling the progeny directly to feedlotters and abattoirs, who are paying premiums for their growth and yield attributes.
The Charolais ability to sire consistent carcasses is also being proved again and again, indicated by the eagerness of processors to source Charolais sired calves. The quality of these carcasses has been proved on numerous occasions, with Charolais carcasses winning Grand Champion awards at prominent carcass competitions.
Charolais continue to positively influence profitability in all sectors of the beef supply chain.