Charolais cattle breeders are being urged to supply all performance information to the society to help develop state-of-the-art records for all animals and continually improve the breed.

From July 1, the society is taking all performance recording in-house after a long relationship with Pedigree Cattle Services. In the longer term, it will be offering the same service to other beef breed societies, again working to consolidate costly admin services in one place.

Julie Holmes has joined the Charolais team to look after all the EBV work and will be working from the Stoneleigh office once Covid-19 restrictions allow. At the moment she is based at home and is available on email julie@charolais.co.uk.

Julie carried out the same work for the Simmental Cattle Society for more than eight years and is aiming to increase the amount of information fed back by members in the future.

“We’re always encouraging members to performance record all animals – once the data has been analysed by ABRI it allows selection by up-to-date traits such as calving ease.”

EBVs are a measurement of an animals’ genetic potential, and collate information on performance data such as birth weights, calving ease, fertility, growth and carcass value.

Society CEO Peter Phythian welcomed the move to take the recording in-house. “We are continually looking to make our work more efficient and speedy and we would urge all members to supply us with as much information on their stock as possible so our records can continue to be accurate.”