Bull Sense Fact vs. Fiction : Stay Out of the Whirlwind to Keep Profitable Commentary by Ron Fuqua The Charolais breed has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years. The quality of the crossbred calves speak for themselves. Feedlot operators understand that these cattle gain quicker than other breeds on an equal amount of feed. As more and more Charolais influenced calves go to slaughter beef packers are becoming convinced that the quality of these calves is as good as any. Testing programs, such as “Calf to Carcass”, have proven this fact many times over. As with any expanding endeavor the breed has not been immune to its share of growing pains.             Part of these pains have been the severe competition presented by the other breeds as Charolais cattle begin to displace their cattle. One strategy that is common not only in the cattle business but in any other competitive endeavor is to attempt to downgrade the other guy. In the Cold War this was commonly referred to as propaganda. A good amount of fiction is floating around in our state concerning the Charolais breed. The information and experience collected with these cattle over the last several years can clearly dispel much of this misinformation. With those thoughts we’ll do just that:             FICTION: Charolais bulls = calving difficulty       FACT: Probably true 20 years ago. Charolais breeders have bred out the “big” calf from their bulls while maintaining high weaning weights. Charolais sired calves experience no more birthing difficulty than any other breed. Nobody hardly uses 900# cows now-a-days anyway as was common years ago. Who can afford a 300# calf at weaning? With the average cow weight of around 1200# producers can easily wean off +500# calves if the right bull is used.             FICTION: Demand for Charolais sired calves is down.       FACT: As per CattleFax feedlot inventories are low and the price of beef is set to rise. Producers with the heaviest weaned calves will bring the most dollar. A few years ago we saw this and its starting to happen again.             FICTION: Charolais cattle and crosses are poor milkers and momma’s.       FACT: If that be the case, how do purebred Charolais breeders continue to raise bull and heifer calves that at weaning set high standards sought by other breeds? To raise fast growing calves the momma has to have her business together. Another point heard mentioned is that the Charolais cow eats too much grass. This is simple Ag Science. The more grass, the more milk, the bigger the calf or the larger the bottom line. The light color of the Charolais cow allows her to withstand the heat better than most other breeds. While others are resting in the shade she is building up critical nourishment for her calf.             FICTION: Other breeds wean calves as heavy as Charolais cross calves.       FACT: Several of the other top breeds do claim high weaning weights. Though not disputed, these bulls are few and far between requiring a top of the line genetic bull that the average Charolais pasture bull equals or beats. A properly chosen Charolais bull can easily give 50-75# heavier calves than other breeds. Low birth weight, high growth rate is the key.             FICTION: A Charolais bull will stand in water during the heat of the summer.       FACT: We know this just doesn’t happen but its worth mentioning to bring out an important point: While other bulls are cooling off the Charolais bull is among his females taking care of business. Cattlemen that run several brands of bulls will attest that generally the highest percentage of summer pregnancies are Charolais influenced.             FICTION: Meat from the Charolais influenced calves is not up to standard.       FACT: This is fartherest from the truth. The biggest fiction of them all. Extensive testing has been performed over the last several years. Charolais meat continues to grade and yield high, competing and even surpassing all breeds in many tests. The packers know this and the buyers are beginning to get the message.             Many cattlemen across our State are being pressured to switch bulls; to use this brand or that type. It can best be described as a whirlwind moving swiftly through our pastures. The cattle in our State are commonly sold by the pound or live weight. With the demand for cattle set to rise the producer offering weight plus quality calves will fare the best. A Charolais bull or quality Charolais cow will get you where you want to be. Trends come and go. Charolais is here to stay. The difference is as clear as “black and white”.                   Upcoming Article: Cattle pricing mechanics, grade, yield, and value. Charolais beef quality facts.