| The British Charolais Cattle Society |
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Charolais, a solution for extensive suckler systems
Bruce and Lucy Waight say they live ‘a
chaotic existence’. While their 400 suckler cows are ranched over 8,300
acres of grassland on the MoD’s firing ranges on the Wiltshire Plains and
single strand electric fencing wire and water bowsers are their everyday
tools, the couple’s management strategy is run with military precision which
is reflected in the herd’s performance.
The outwintered herd is split in to four
groups of 100 cows, each runs with three Charolais bulls; 300 cows calve in
March and the remainder August; 66% calve within the first two weeks, while
the herd is achieving 94% calves weaned from cows put to the bull.
The majority of March born Charolais cross
calves are reared solely off milk and sparse grass and sold in November
straight off their dams through Frome market at an average 350kg. They
invariably arrive in the day’s top 5% of market prices and sell to repeat
buyers, well aware of their potential, from as far a field as Cumbria and
Norfolk.
“We’re farming very extensively, however we
are focused on maximising output per animal. Since a bull is half the herd,
we’ve improved the calves’ performance quite simply by buying better bulls -
we are now selecting from within the Charolais breed’s top 10% on Breedplan
performance data. We also select bulls with length and plenty of muscle,”
Bruce explains. “In addition, since 2000 we’ve increased cow performance by
improving management, moving to closed herd status and adopting a
preventative herd health approach.”
Bruce is the fourth generation of the Waight
family to take on the tenancy of Compton Farm, Pewsey, one of 40 MoD farms
used for military training and amounting to a total 94,000 acres or 11% of
Wiltshire county. A sheep enterprise was swapped for beef for ease of
management back in 1990 and since then the herd has grown along with the
business scale of operations including a further 1,200 acres of arable. The
entire grassland area achieved full organic status in 2006.
“We were already farming so extensively that
the organic conversion required few changes, and it has subsequently reduced
input costs and introduced opportunities for calf premiums,” says Lucy.
“Added to that, the farm attracts a diverse species of wildlife including
Great Bustards, Montague Harriers and Short Eared Owls, and it is of
international importance featuring the largest remaining area of calcareous
grassland in
“If Compton Farm was a ‘normal’ unit, then
we could increase stocking rate fivefold,” she says. “However, we have to
work within the constraints of the MoD’s activities, and that means
officially planning all cattle grazing area eight weeks in advance, and then
being prepared to be notified at
Quite fortuitously, the Charolais cross
calves are very conducive to the system. “They have a very placid
temperament, and we are able to drive them in mobs up to
Charolais was introduced to Compton Farm
back in 1990 along with the beef enterprise. “We focused on producing
quality store calves, and Charolais is delivering the goods. Charolais cross
calves demonstrate natural growth with good conformation, and they are easy
to prepare for market in batches of uniform quality and that go on to
consistently top the day’s sale.
“Furthermore, Charolais is proving to be
complementary to our Hereford Friesian cows; we select bulls that are narrow
on the shoulder and with accompanying high EBVs for ease of calving, and we
keep the cows in appropriate condition throughout the cycle; condition score
2.5 at calving and 3 to start the winter.”
Overall herd performance has improved by
working closely with XL Vet, Keith Cutler, of the Endell Veterinary Group
who encouraged the Waights to adopt a dedicated approach to assessing and
adjusting their herd management system. Campylobacter was identified as the
biggest problem facing the herd in terms of fertility. Nine years on and the
infection has been eliminated as a result of buying in young bulls, and
moving towards a closed herd status. In addition, all bulls are fertility
tested every other year. Consequently, herd fertility has turned around from
just 30% of cows calving in the first month to two thirds calving in the
first two weeks, and the calving period has been consolidated.
To the future and Bruce says: “I believe if
we continue to produce a quality product it will also sell, no matter how
hard times are, and our Charolais cross calves are able to deliver,
efficiently and cost effectively.”
Some of the Cross Suckled with their dams |
