January Newsletter 2023

AHDB & Bull Sale figures
AHDB has released there most up to date (August 2022) continental breed rankings in which Charolais come out top
on Carcass weight ranking, Average daily carcass gain ranking and joint top on days to slaughter ranking. This puts the
breed top on 2 and joint top on 1 out of 5 rankings.
If you compare 2021 to 2022 figures of bulls sold though society sales there is a huge lift of 22% more bulls sold on the
year. With the ever-declining number of suckler cows in the UK this shows that the breed is bucking the trend.
These two sets of figures are hugely encouraging & satisfying for me as it shows that the breed and its breeders are
doing things right and we are delivering a product to our customer that is efficient, that can work in any farming
situation in the UK whilst leaving the farmer with the best return on their investment by hitting the desired carcass
specification traits when finished. This is something we need to keep building on and concentrate on gaining an even
larger market share of the BCMS Charolais cross calf registrations. If we can continue to work more closely with the
commercial farmer, exposing the breed to them and its benefits then I see no reason why we can’t increase this market
share year on year. In turn this will help our members to continue to sell the same if not more bulls in the upcoming
years.
Charolais Youth Sponsorship
Following on from a very successful youth final at Balthayock Farm by kind permission of Major David Walter we are
pleased to announce that we have secured the backing of Harbro as our sole main sponsor of Charolais youth for the
next 3 years, this is hugely exciting as the backing of Harbro and the knowledge of their team will be invaluable to
the youth. We hope with workshops and seminars we will be able to educate them on the correct preparation of the
animals for show & sales as well as how to manage cows pre & post calving. The young breeders are the future of the
breed and without the next generation we have nothing, I am a very strong supporter of the youth system and trying
to help them as much as we can. I am also delighted to announce that the final for 2023 will by held at Peter Dongers,
Seawell herd on the 2 nd of July. This will again be an excellent venue and experience for the young breeders. We are
immensely grateful to Peter for agreeing to host the final this year.
Margaret Atkinson
It is with immense sadness that Margaret suddenly passed away in November, Margaret was a huge stalwart of the
breed with her husband Mike who ran the exceptionally successful Mowbarypark herd. Margaret was the secretary for
the Yorkshire Charolais club and always willing to offer her help at every opportunity, she always had a smile on her face
and was great company to be around and did so much for the local community and charities. Our thoughts and deepest
condolences go to Mike, Lindsey and all the family. Taken so suddenly but never forgotten.
I would like to thank all the staff at BCCS for the continued hard work and dedication. My fellow council members for all
they do in helping drive the breed forward in the right direction. They give up a lot of time and their efforts are greatly
appreciated.
Thanks, must also go to all the regional Charolais clubs for all they do throughout the
year in promoting the breed at local events.
Lastly and most definitely not least, a huge thank you to all of the commercial
farmers who have purchased Charolais bulls throughout the year. As a society we
want to continue working very closely with you all to produce a bull that’s versatile
and can work in any system, in any part of the country, while still leaving best return
of investment.
I want to wish you all the best for 2023. Here is to another successful year for the
breed and all its members.
Allen Drysdale
Chairman
4
No bull works harder for the farmer, the plate and the planet