The reliability of the Charbray to perform consistently when times are tough has provided Bruce and Robyn Flick with the confidence to continue using the breed in their operation through thick and thin for the past 20 years.
The Flick's run their commercial breeding operation across two properties, Byrnestown and Yenda (which combined consist of 4450 hectares of undulating forest country) at Gayndah in the North Burnett region.
They purchased Byrnestown two decades ago, and in setting up their program the Flick's made the decision to buy in Charbray bulls to put over their high Brahman content females, and the breeds hardiness has proven to be crucial through the lean rainfall period of recent years.
Mr Flick said they missed out on most of the rain that fell earlier in the year.
"Since the beginning of the year we've had 85mm, and before that we hadn't had any since March 2019. The rain around the region is very patchy. Luckily we have a bit of grass at present, but it's a bit worrying," he said.
"We had to feed the cows through the dry, but we've been able to keep our numbers pretty much where we want them.
"We're currently running close to 500 breeders and around 1200 head in total including weaners. We have a grow out paddock in Monto and we agist where we can."
He said all their steers and cull heifers are sent to the feedlot, ideally as a milk-tooth at 400kg, with only a few cull cows kept on to be fed up and sold later on.
"Naturally, with the lack of rain, reaching our desired weight for age target for the feedlot has been a battle for the last couple of years, but the consistency of the Charbray, and the way their progeny perform does make it achievable."
Mr Flick said purchasing high calibre bulls, for the last 10 years, from Michael Connolly at Emjay Charbray Stud, Goomeri, has also played a major role in ensuring the sustainability of their operation.
"The Emjay bulls always seem to stand up in the tough, dry times. We've never had an issue with one of them, and the resulting progeny always perform well.
"Michael does a great job of producing consistent lines of well muscled flat backs, which are also soft, with bone, frame, and most importantly for us, impressive growth for age rates.
"It's our belief that if a bull performs his calves will perform, and that has definitely been the case with the Emjay bulls and the progeny they've produced.
Mr Flick said he's happy with how the operation is progressing at present and has no plans to steer away from using Charbray's in his program.
"The only thing we really want to change at present is the lack of rain."