Ascot continually improving herd
CHAROLAIS and angus breeders Jim Wedge and Jackie Chard are committed to improving the genetics of the cattle industry.
The owners of Ascot run a charolais and angus stud between a property at North Toolburra, Warwick and Khancoban, Glen Innes. They’ve recently purchased three homozygous polled charolais bulls.
Mr Wedge said the homozygous gene was rare.
“We are aiming to produce sustainable genetics so the cattle industry will be accepted more readily by the consumer and be sustainable for the longer term,” he said.
“By this we mean we want to breed bulls that will produce progeny that can be turned off sooner, making the commercial producer more profit.
“These new stud sires have been selected as out-crosses to our existing breeding program that will fit these parameters.”
Mr Wedge said they tested the majority of their charolais progeny now for the homozygous polled gene.
“In time nearly all of our herd will have this gene so we can sell far more bulls with it,” he said.
“The commercial producer will get these benefits as well as having bulls with fast early growth, good weight for age at an early age and the ability to lay down fat quickly on pasture or in the feedlot.”
The bull purchased from the Paringa stud in Victoria weighed 840kg at 19 months off grass.
“This demonstrates his ability to put on weight at an early age. He is a moderate framed, early maturing bull that has the ability to lay down fat easily,” Mr Wedge said.
“Being in the top 1% of the breed for 200 and 400 day growth EBVs on top of being homozygous polled was a big attraction.
“The bull from Rosedale stud, Rosedale Lump Sum, was only 13 months of age and weighed 624kg and was purchased for the sale top price of $18,000.
“He has an eye muscle area of 102 square centimetres and a scrotal of 37cm.
“I was impressed that he is in the top 1% for the breed for 200, 400, 600 day growth EBVs, which means for great weight for age for his progeny.”
Ascot has its annual sale on September 23 at noon, with 50 angus bulls and 50 polled charolais bulls on offer.