The marketability of Charbray and Charbray infused cattle at all stages of growth is being bolstered with each passing year due to the establishment of, and adherence to the Charbray Australia Society's Certified Charbray breeding program by its members.
Charbray Australia Society president Matt Welsh said the selection of top genetics has long been recognised as a vital ingredient in any beef operation.
"It's common knowledge that bulls with depth of breeding will produce a quality line of cattle," Mr Welsh said. said.
"In recent years, this knowledge has been emphasised by society members as their enthusiasm and commitment to the development of the Charbray breed through careful management of genetics/pedigrees has shined through," he said.
Mr Welsh said achieving Certified Charbray breeders status is an accomplishment in its own right.
"It also provides prospective buyers with a guarantee that they're purchasing their seedstock from a stud breeder who has managed their genetics and advanced their Charbray pedigrees, which in turn enhances the hereditability of all the important commercial Charbray traits."
Mr Welsh said the need for a more substantial breeding plan was first talked about and the first steps taken in 2006."
He said the next few years saw further development until the current breeding plan was launched during Beef Australia 2009.
"Since its inception, the breeding plan has brought about the development of pedigrees within the breed which has in turn stabilised not just the phenotype of the animal but also the traits important to a profitable breeding operation such as fat cover, muscling and above all else, temperament.
"A good example of this is in our own herd (Huntington Charbray Stud) where we have seen average scans of our annual sale bulls improve by greater than 4mm for both P8 and Rib fats and EMA by 7cm even though our sale weights and age have remained relatively similar.
"In recent years, during testing times, the breed has certainly proven to be up to the task within our operation and our respective clients operations."
He said the breeding plan has enhanced the competition for stud sires at Charbray sales throughout Australia, as it ensures more value is placed on pedigrees, which therefore grows the breed database.
"This has led to greater interest being shown in Certified Charbray breeder genetics at the domestic and international levels."
Mr Welsh said the breed plan is transparent and shows buyers the depth of the lineage in a bull through a grading system that takes them from the initial foundation progeny to a Charbray bred grading of C4, C5 and C6.
"This allows today's cattle producers to select the correct type of Charbray genetics to complement their herd, while giving them the advantage of knowing what they are going to get when their next lot of calves drop."
He said said ease of management is the main advantage that the Charbray breed brings to the table.
"Because of their market acceptance you can breed stabilised Charbray cattle year in and year out without the worry of too much variation in your progeny.
"They also have a reproductive edge, with more calves weaned per cows mated. And whether they're grain or grassfed they will grade MSA."
Mr Welsh said the goal of the society now is to ensure that Certified Charbray breeders continue to grow and evolve the genetics in their individual operations.
"In the early years, demand for quality Charbray cattle far outstripped what was available.
"We need to make sure that as our market grows, we're producing enough quality cattle to meet rising demand."
He said while the breed is going from strength to strength, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced the society to postpone the 5th annual Charbray & Charbray Infused Prime and Store Sale at Monto.
"We're still hoping to hold our annual feedlot trial held in conjunction with Nolan Meats at Waterfall Feedlot near Goomeri, but under a slightly changed program.
"It's business as usual though as far as the National Charbray Bull and Female Sale at Gracemere being held on Monday, September 28."
