Policy And Selection
Performance testing is mandatory for all registered Charolais breeders.
Performance testing data is a requirement for registration of all animals. After 1 January 1998 all bulls presented on National Auctions had to be performance tested.
Animals born before 1 January 1998 are not liable to the stipulations or requirements of performance testing for registration or maintenance of registration as specified in the breeding policy.
Show judging standards were reformed, making performance testing data part of the criteria and therefore not relying only on subjective visual judgement alone.
Selection of A.I. and stud bulls is done using complete data on breeding values, growth ability, easy calving of the female progeny and growth efficiency.
A system whereby bull mothers are identified for the breeding of sires was implemented, so every successive generation of sires could be selected from the best mothers of the previous generation. This is known as the Stud bull-Mother Qualification System.
Economically important traits must be improved and/or kept. Traits of importance are amongst others, walking ability, adaptability to veldt conditions, milk production, libido, easy calving, temperament, growth ability, feed utilization and carcass characteristics.
Emphasis is placed on the economical effectiveness of the race as a whole and especially on the cowherd under typical South African veld conditions.
Provision is made for the mandatory de-registration of animals that does not meet the minimum reproductive or production standard requirements.
Mandatory Measurable Traits
Heifer weight - at weaning and within 3 days after calving (optional but recommended).
Birth weight of calves.
Weight at one year and again at 18 months.
Shoulder height and body length.