Since Clinton Melcer started out in the cattle game close to 30 years ago Charolais bulls have been a constant in his commercial breeding program.
Mr Melcer, his wife Tania, and their children Kellie and Baylee, live on 2630ha at Myo, 15km north Of Injune. Myo, which Mr Melcer purchased close to 25 years ago, is comprised of Cypress pine, sandy type country.
Mr Melcer said like most the seasons had been fairly ordinary prior to this year.
"We got more than our fair share of rain through January and February. We have plenty of feed now," he said.
The family run their breeding herd on Myo, and grow out their weaners on Sorries, a good Brigalow/Belah block, 15km north of Roma. They have close to 90ha of farming country on Sorries where they're currently growing oats to feed the cattle.
In their program Charolais bulls are put over Brahman and Brahman-cross cows. They're currently running 230 breeders on Myo and close to 200 weaner steers and heifers on Sorries. The bulls are left in the paddock year-round. Mr Melcer said they come back to the homestead by themselves when it gets too cold and they need some tender loving care.
"We find that the Charolais handle our Injune country well, and the Charbray progeny are easy to sell. We like the article produced in the cross, in particular their growth and type."
He said they sell steers to the meatworks (often JBS, though they look around to see where the best prices are) at 600kg, depending on seasonal conditions.
"We'll shift steers as 450kg plus feeders if necessary, though since we've had a good season this year we'll keep our current steers on oats to get them to heavy weights. We've been getting great prices lately."
Mr Melcer said to improve the genetic quality of the herd he's been buying Charolais bulls from the Bebbington family, Mountview Charolais, for 10 years.
"We started off with two Mountview bulls, which we were really happy with. From there we've grabbed another one or two here and there over the years.
"The temperament of the Bebbingtons bulls is really good, and the quality of the calves buy them is excellent. About a year and a half ago I rang Ian (Bebbington) looking for a low birth-weight poll bull and he found one which met our needs to a tee. He's now in with 34 of our heifers, and the females have had no troubles with calving. He's always honest and easy to get along with."
He said another good purchase was Mountview Michelin which they bought at the 2018 Casino All Breeds Sale in 2018 for $6000.
"He's doing really well, we've had 20-odd calves drop by him that all look the goods."
