June 2017

June 27, 2017 Modern British Charolais calving ease genetic improvement continues

Breeders responding to commercial demand

Charolais breeders are continuing to make strides forward in delivering bulls leaving progeny that are easier to calve, as well as increasingly efficient and high performing, according to the society herdbook’s latest Breedplan report for 2016.

Modern Charolais’ calving ease direct EBV has increased by 0.8% since 2007 when the breed society introduced the Breedplan genetic evaluation system, whilst the closely correlated gestation length EBV has reduced over the same period by 0.2 days. Furthermore, there has been a continued improvement for each performance trait. For example, 200 day and 400 day growth rates have increased by +4.0kg and +8.0kg respectively. See table 1.

Table 1: Charolais Breedplan trends 2007/15

	EBV
	Calving Ease Direct (%)	Gestation Length (days)	200 day (kg)	400 day (kg)	600 day (kg)
Herdbook ave	+0.8	-0.2	+4.0	+8.0	+11.0

Source: Breedplan

“Our breeders are using the Breedplan system to carefully select animals that will not only continue to improve growth rate and carcase characteristics, but also to tackle head on improving calving ease,” says British Charolais Cattle Society chief executive, Peter Phythian.

“Genetic progress is both permanent and cumulative, and these latest genetic trends are clearly gaining momentum as more and more progeny come in to the system. They represent a meaningful step forward towards fulfilling one of the society’s key objectives.

“Charolais breeders are focused on supplying the market with genetics that strike a balance between those key traits which are destined to make a significant contribution towards efficient profitable beef enterprises. And their selection processes will continue to meet future demand. Breeders are aware that commercial livestock farmers are starting to gear up their enterprises for changes to the current payment system as CAP support comes to an end, Brexit begins and future profit comes under the microscope.

“All commercial producers can attempt to reduce costs and improve output efficiency, whilst influencing the marketplace is usually out of their control. However, investing in a modern Charolais terminal sire with high EBVs for calving ease combined with performance traits will help to minimise labour requirements and accompanying costs, and leave calves that consistently achieve premiums in the marketplace. Those premiums are likely to persist as Charolais cross cattle continue to reach target finishing weight faster and more efficiently than all other crosses.”

June 27, 2017 National Charolais Show relocates to the Great Yorkshire

Charolais will be showcasing the cream of the crop when it stages its first ever National Charolais Show at the Great Yorkshire on Tuesday 11 July. A record number of 72 entries will be travelling to Harrogate from as far afield as Cornwall to County Down, as well as a contingent from Yorkshire and the north.

“Searching for a new venue, we are thrilled and honoured that the Yorkshire Agriculture Society has provided us with the opportunity to bring our National Charolais Show to the Great Yorkshire, one of the most renowned events on the show calendar,” says British Charolais Cattle Society chief executive, Peter Phythian, “The event has a great track record, it continues to retain farming at the heart of its activities and we are pleased to have a slice of the action.”

“The National Charolais Show has attracted 72 entries, a record number to the Great Yorkshire, and we are looking forward to showcasing that line up to a ringside of farmers – the event is a great show for meeting fellow farmers – from beef finishers from the region to Scottish farming families holidaying at the event. We are also pleased to introduce Charolais to a wider audience of consumers, explaining to them how their beef is produced and how it all starts with Charolais, one of the UK’s most popular terminal sires.”

June 23, 2017 Royal Highland Show 2017

The Champion J Irvine & Son and Reserve Champion D Muirhead – Firhills Lady

Class 245 – Female born on or between 1 April & 31 July 2016
1 – Andrew Stott – Tophill Maryette – s. Ratoary Ferguson
2 – John Irvine & Son – Inverlovchy Maddie – s. Blelack Giggsey
3 – Robert Aitken – Lourie Mabel – s. Goldies Eddy

Drumshane Mademoiselle

Class 246 – Female born on or between 1 January & 31 March 2016
1 – Darren Knox – Drumshane Mademoiselle – s. Inverlochy Gurkha
2 – Jennifer Rix – Wissington Melody -s. Thrunton Hammerstein
3 – D Muirhead – Firhills Maisie – s. Wesley Equinox

Falleninch Lottie

Class 247 – Female born on or between 24 June & 31 December 2015
1 – Andrew Hornall – Falleninch Lottie – s. Dereskit Fernando
2 – John Irvine & Son – Inverlochy Lulu – s. Blelack Giggsey
3 – David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Leonora – s. Ugie Echo

Class 248 – Female born on or between 1 January & 23 June 2015
1 – D Muirhead – Firhills Lady – s. Maerdy Grenadier
2 – David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Lisa – s. Balbithan Vespasian
3 – Andrew Hornall – Falleninch Leona – s. Dereskit Fernando

Class 249 – Female born on or between 1 January & 31 December 2014
1 – Andrew Morris – Olrig Jadore – s. Dingle Hofmeister
2 – David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Jemima – s. Elgin Glenlivet

Class 250 – Female in milk or in calf born on or before 31 December 2013
1 – John Christie & Son – Westcarse Emerald – s. Kersknowe Clansman
2 – John Irvine & Son – Inverlochy Demi – s. Gower Versace

Class 251 – Bull born on or between 1 April & 30 June 2016
1 – Jonathan Watson – Tweeddale Matador – s. Blelack Blackberet
2 – John Irvine & Son – Inverlochy Magic – s. Blelack Giggsey
3 – Roy Milne & Sons – Elgin Master – s. Mortimers Infinity

Firhills Morgan

Class 252 – Bull born on or between 1 January & 31 March 2016
1 – D Muirhead – Firhills Morgan – s. Maerdy Grenadier
2 – Jennifer Rix – Wissington Mercedes – s. Thrunton Hammerstein
3 – Robert Aitken – Lourie Marvellous – s. Lowerffryd Benhur

Lesliepark Lithgow

Class 254 – Bull born on or between 1 January & 23 June 2015
1 – George Russell – Lesliepark Lithgow – s. Newhouse Bigal
2 – John Young – Edenhurst Lyric – s. Sandelford Harrison

Class 255 – Bull born on or before 31 December 2014
1 – J Irvine & Son – Kilbline 1 Instigator ET – s. Oscar

Champion
J Irvine & Son – Kilbline 1 Instigator ET – s. Oscar

Kilbline 1 Instigator

Reserve Champion
D Muirhead – Firhills Lady – s. Maerdy Grenadier

Firhills Lady

Female Champion
D Muirhead – Firhills Lady – s. Maerdy Grenadier
Reserve Female Champion
David & Nick Walter – Balthayock Lisa – s. Balbithan Vespasian

Balthayock Lisa

Male Champion
J Irvine & Son – Kilbline 1 Instigator ET – s. Oscar
Reserve Male Champion
Jonathan Watson – Tweeddale Matador – s. Blelack Blackberet

Tweeddale Matador

Junior Female Champion
Darren Knox – Drumshane Mademoiselle – s. Inverlochy Gurkha
Reserve Junior Female Champion
Andrew Hornall – Falleninch Lottie – s. Dereskit Fernando

Junior Male Champion
Jonathan Watson – Tweeddale Matador – s. Blelack Blackberet
Reserve Junior Male Champion
D Muirhead – Firhills Morgan – s. Maerdy Grenadier

Junior Champion
Darren Knox – Drumshane Mademoiselle – s. Inverlochy Gurkha
Reserve Junior Champion
Jonathan Watson – Tweeddale Matador – s. Blelack Blackberet

Best Pair
Andrew Hornall – Falleninch Leona & Falleninch Libby

Tophill Maryette

Olrig Jadore

Westcarse Emerald

June 5, 2017 Summer Show Results 2017

Royal Cornwall Show 8 – 10 June 2017
Reserve Overall Interbreed Champion Owned and Bred by the Exhibitor, Breed Supreme, Breed Male Champion, Best Exhibitor Owner Bred and the best British Charolais owned and bred and resident in Cornwall
WF Palmer & Son – Trenestrall Isoabar – s. Westcarse Beefy
Breed Female Champion
WF Palmer & Son – Trenestrall Lamp – s. Springfarm Eldon

Drymen Show – 27 May 2017
Judge: John Morton, Gretna Green, Dumfries-shire
Reserve Beef Interbreed Champion, Breed Champion & Class Winner
T & S Gatherer – Barnsford Meadow – s. Goldies Eddy
Reserve Breed Champion & Class Winner
George Russell – Lesliepark Lithgow – s. Newhouse Bigal

Lesmahagow Show – 27 May 2017
Judge: Miss J MacKay, Auchenairney, Maybole
Continental Cattle Champion
Mr & Mrs JJ Wight – Midlock Linda – s. Elrick Highlander
Reserve Continental Cattle Champion
A & JJ Forrest – Glenrock Harriet – s. Lowerffrydd Benhurr