CHAROLLAIS BREED
Legendary for easy lambing, Charollais breed is one of the most popular terminal sires in UK.
Producing fast growing, vigorous lambs capable of hitting market specifications early with great carcase quality, Charollais are commercial breed of choice.
The history of Charollais Sheep in Australia
Charollais is a terminal sire breed that originates from around the town of Charolles in the Saone Loire region of France.
The breed was imported into the UK in 1976 where it quickly established itself, then to many other countries including Australian in 2005.
Dr Ian McDougal
There was a Foot and Mouth epidemic in the UK and parts of Europe. Veterinarians from around the world were being called upon to go to the UK to help with the considerable work load one of those Vets was an Australian Dr Ian McDougal. Whilst assisting with the veterinary duties Ian came across the Charollais breed and realized what a superb breed it would be for the production of prime lambs in his home country Australia. Once the F&M epidemic was successfully concluded, Ian set about the considerable chore of getting embryos to Australia.
CHAROLLAIS GENETICS
The new stock would need to be from as wide a gene pool as possible & also meet the health requirements of AQIS which included being of ARQ/ARQ genotype. Only embryos could be imported, these were from 18 unrelated females. 4 unrelated Rams were used. Bloodlines were obtained from flocks of, Lionel Organ, Marcella Seymour, Brian Evans, Geraint Llyod, David Reynolds, Alison Lewis, David Barwell, Alan Thomas & John Hunter.
EMBRYO IMPORT
At that time and still today there was a mountain of bureaucratic rules to overcome, in order to get Ovine Genetics into Australia. The reasons for this were the Scrapie and BSE disease that existed in a lot of other Countries, but not in Australia.
After considerable time and expense, it became possible to collect Charollais embryos and import them into Australia. This was all achieved through the efforts of this one man, Dr Ian McDougal.
FIRST EMBRYO 2005
In 2005 the embryos were imported to SA and implanted into recipients at Nigel & Kay Breeds at Karkoo on the Eyre Peninsula. 2006 saw the flush of females at 7 months of age and then put back in lamb.
In early 2007 half the flock was moved to Southern QLD where it was severely affected by drought for that year.
2008 saw the Southern QLD flock move to Kevin & Gina Feakins at Glen Innes. Also in 2008 the Hilsdon family arrived in Australia from the UK, and formed a partnership with Ian McDougal, that relocated most of the sheep from SA and some from NSW to Hamilton. From there extensive embryo transfer and AI programs were undertaken.
The Foundation of the Charollais Breed
In 2010 embryos were also exported to New Zealand, which formed the foundation of the Charollais breed in NZ.
After some discussions between interested parties in 2014 it was decided to form a breed association.
At the first meeting at Sheepvention 2014 a committee was formed with Colin Hilsdon- President, Ian McDougal- Vice President & Lauren Hooper- Secretary. Lauren undertook the enormous job of the work to correlate the articles of the association.
HARDIER THAN YOU THINK
Easy lambing terminal sire that suits all breeds
EASY LAMBING
FAST GROWTH
HIGH MEAT YIELD
PROFITABLE LAMBS
MEMBERS
AUSTRALIAN CHAROLLAIS SHEEP ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
CHAROLLAIS BREED
The fineness of bone that the breed is renowned for ensures easy lambing
and also contributes to higher killing out percentage of their progeny.
Contact us
0416 442 756 | Brooke Mitchell | Secretary
0428 297 171 | Doug Mitchell | President
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Our new banners looking great hanging up at Hamilton Sheepvention. Thanks to Rene Stud for having it up on display 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Our new banners looking great hanging up at Hamilton Sheepvention. Thanks to Rene Stud for having it up on display 🐑🐑🐑🐑