Charolais are one of the most popular breeds of cattle. Bred primarily for meat production, they grow fast, demonstrate excellent feed to gain efficiency, and have great carcass cut-out values.
But where do these amazing cattle come from? And what makes them so suitable for beef production? Read on and learn more about Charolais cattle’s history, characteristics, and temperament.
The Charolais’s History
The Charolais’ exact origins are unknown. However, we know they developed from native cattle in the old provinces of Charolles, its neighbor, Nievre, and the areas of west-central to southeastern France. They likely also have some infusion of Shorthorn, a breed that originated in Northeast England.
The Charolais flourished and were popularly used for draft, milk, and meat. French breeders emphasized bone strength, power, and rapid growth. They paid little attention to refinement but placed great importance on utility, turning Charolais cattle into a source of food and draft power for farming.
The breed appeared in other parts of the world after the second world war. It was initially just a few exports of just a handful of bulls and cows between 1950 to 1956. However, this soon grew to exports of hundreds of bulls and thousands of cows by the 1960s.
Charolais Cattle Characteristics and Temperament
Charolais are typically light in color: white coat, pink muzzle, and pale hooves. However, there are now black and red breeds.
The French breeders’ emphasis on utility comes through their physical characteristics and temperament. They have medium to large frames and are heavily muscled for greater yield per head. They’re long-bodied and have short, broad heads for calving ease.
Charolais grow rapidly and have a high feed conversion rate. They’re also quite docile and easy to work with, decreasing the risk of cattle handling-related injuries.
All these traits make the breed highly efficient and an excellent choice for farmers.
Boost Your Herd’s Profitability
If you have a Charolais herd or are looking to start one, you need excellent genetics, so they produce more beef per head and at a higher quality. Boost its profitability with Lone Pine Charolais’s breeding bulls.
Our bulls come from top-of-the-line registered sires and have some of the best EPDs available. If you need recommendations, contact us to discuss your needs with our expert team.