Sustainability seems to be the “now” word. It’s hard to open an ag-focused magazine without reading something about sustainability. It isn’t a new word, and as beef producers, we know it isn’t a new concept. Sustainability and longevity go hand-in-hand and, as an industry, we’ve knocked sustainability out of the park. In fact, one only has to look at the national cow herd numbers in relation to the pounds of beef we produce to define sustainability: more with less.
As an association, the American-International Charolais Association (AICA) has focused on developing management strategies and tools that empower our producers to maximize efficiency and profitability. As a breed, Charolais cattle have consistently proven their ability to deliver outstanding resource utilization. The Charolais breed delivers genetics that allow producers to push their calving seasons later into the year to reduce feed costs, labor and the losses incurred with calving in colder months without sacrificing dollars on the sales check. Charolais genetics create flexibility within an operation.
This ability to maintain productivity with a shifted calving window is a game-changer for many operations. It allows for better alignment of peak forage availability with the nutritional demands of lactating cows, ultimately leading to improved overall herd efficiency.
At AICA, we understand that providing top-notch genetics is just the beginning. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in developing comprehensive tools and programs to support our producers’ success. Our genetic evaluation tools and programs offer invaluable data collection and analysis capabilities, enabling producers to make informed breeding decisions.
We’ve placed significant emphasis on traits that directly impact a producer’s bottom line, such as feed efficiency, growth rate, and carcass merit. The Charolais breed has made remarkable strides in these areas, with recent studies showing impressive gains in feed efficiency and carcass traits.
In fact, in our 2024 Bull Buyer’s Survey, buyers reported that the No. 1 reason they utilize Charolais bulls in their breeding programs is increased performance. The top two results weren’t a surprise to any of us in the Charolais business: increased performance at weaning and increased performance as yearlings, followed by improved feed conversion. Charolais genetics don’t just put money in a producer’s pocket, they keep it there to begin with.
We also recognizing that efficiency doesn’t stop at the farm gate; we’ve developed innovative marketing programs to help producers capture additional value for their Charolais-influenced cattle. These programs offer opportunities for premium marketing and specialized channels. It’s a pasture-to-plate approach that executes delivery and value at every link of the value chain.
As we look to the future and see discussions around herd rebuild emerge, the Charolais breed’s ability to do more with less positions the breed and its producers as leaders in sustainable beef production. We’re seeing incredible acceptance of Charolais cattle in video sales and auction markets, with producers realizing the significant advantages in terms of performance and take-home pay. What’s more, we’re seeing previous customers who have strayed from Charolais and Charolais-influenced genetics return.
Together, we’re not just adapting to change—we’re driving it. We’re here to help you maximize the potential of your Charolais genetics. It’s a good time to be a Charolais seedstock producer. — Brett Spader, AICA executive vice president
