FORTHCOMING SALES

Dungannon 3 February & 2 March click here for catalogue
49 Males, 10 Females
Auctioneers Dungannon Farmers Mart Tel: 028 8772 2727
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Aberdeen 29 February
Auctioneers Aberdeen & Northern Marts Tel: 01467 623700
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Stirling 20/21 February click here for the catalogue
254 Males followed by the
Dispersal of the Claymore Herd on behalf of E & P Clayhills-Henderson
1 Stock bull, 11 Cows, 7 Heifer Calves, 3 Bull Calves
Auctioneers United Auctions Tel: 01786 473055

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Ballymena 16 April
Auctioneers: Ballymena Mart Tel: 028 2563 3470
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Welshpool 19 April
Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales Tel: 01938 553438

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Holsworthy 25 April
Auctioneers: Kivells Tel: 01840 261261

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Carlisle 11/12 May
Including the Dispersal Sale of the Rumsden Herd of Charolais (Rupert Taylor Ltd)
Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington Ltd 01228 590490

Irish breeder to judge Stirling Charolais  

Martin Ryan, president of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society will judge a catalogued entry of 254 Charolais bulls at the breed society’s official spring  fixture at Stirling on Monday 20 February before they go under the hammer the following day along with a dispersal of the Claymore herd on behalf of E and P Clayhills-Henderson, Blairgowrie, Perthshire.  “My Stirling champion will have to offer completeness in the first instance with good structure, topline, conformation, correctness and locomotion, along with breed character,” Martin says.

 Having judged several times in Ireland and Northern Ireland and on three occasions in France, Martin explains: “I will also be looking for top size and weight for age as this is one of the key breed characteristics distinguishing Charolais from other breeds. Bulls for the pedigree sector usually offer higher correctness, functionality and breed characteristics than the others, so we will have to see what turns up on the day.”

 Martin, who runs the 30 cow Goldstar herd in Thurles, County Tipperary, has been on the Council of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society for the past six years, having first bought into the breed in 1996. “Growth rates and efficient feed conversion resulting in high profitability set Charolais apart from other breeds and our decision has been proven worthwhile time and time again. In Ireland there has been a major increase in demand for Charolais fuelled by feedback from European buyers noting their growth rate and overall profitability.”

 Focusing on the very top end of the breed, Martin has achieved considerable success on the show circuit over the years, in 2011 winning overall breed champion at Tullamore National Livestock Show, breed champion at all the regional shows they attended and interbreed champion no fewer than nine times. 2010 was equally successful achieving All Ireland heifer champion, Irish Beef Expo interbreed female champion, Royal Dublin Society Champion of Champions Award and the entrance of Goldstar Echo into AI.

 Martin adds: “With unrivalled demand both at home and on the continent, Charolais is the breed for today and the future. Charolais are the kind of cattle that you could sell at any crossroads, and long may it continue.”  
click here for the catalogue

CHAROLAIS BULL WALK

11 February 2012  Starting at 10am

At DM Lyle (Loganbar) followed by A Hornall (Falleninch),

JH Christie (Westcarse), JW Millar (Lochend) and Allanfauld Ltd

Please confirm your attendance by the 9th February

Further details and to confirm please contact

Alison Gray Tel: 0771 833 8804

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New British Charolais semen exported to Mexico Scottish Charolais breeder, Murray Lyle has completed an export deal for a consignment of semen from Lamerpark Champion to the Mexican Charolais Society through UK Sire Services. more ...

Click here for the World Charolais Congress Provisional Schedule and Booking forms This takes you directly to the Field Farm Tours Website

Harper Adams/ Farmers Weekly Beef Focus farm articles

Simon Marsh, Senior Lecturer - Beef Cattle Specialist, Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB

 Introduction: 
Latest EBLEX costings reveal that Average and Top 1/3^rd upland suckler producers recorded gross margins of £266 and £312 per cow respectively. However when fixed and non-cash costs are deducted this leaves a net margin of minus £299 and minus £176 per cow respectively. Suckled calf producers are therefore using their Single Farm Payment (SFP) to stay in business. This is not sustainable and beef producers must focus on improving technical efficiency if they are to avoid using their SFP to continue in beef production.   more ..

What is a British Charolais? Charolais is the leading terminal beef sire noted for its fast growth and excellent conformation. Charolais cattle are creamy white through to wheaten in colour. Bulls are noted for muscling, with excellent loins, good hindquarters and deep second thigh, while females are less heavily muscled and have well developed udders. Charolais stand on four strong feet and legs and should be alert. Use Charolais Breedplan to find the genetic traits you are looking for in your pedigree or commercial herd. Click here Pedigree, Performance and Membership Information Online The British Charolais Cattle Society is proud to offer 24-hour internet access to its pedigree, performance and membership database. If you are having trouble with cookies once getting into the Breed Plan Database please click here for instructions on how to resolve the problem - click here