CHARBRAY CARCASS QUALITY
The Charbray breed was established in Texas USA in the 1930s when Charolais bulls from Mexico were crossed with Brahman (bos indicus) cows. The resulting calves weaned heavier, finished faster and carcase quality was unusually high.
With the importation of Charolais semen into Australia in 1969, a number of Brahman breeders began experimenting. With the continuing success of the Breed, the Charbray Society was launched at a meeting in Brisbane on 13 August 1977, when it was agreed that purebred matings of registered Charolais and Brahmans would be recognised as Charbray and that the name should apply to cattle bred within the range of 75 and 25% Charolais and Brahman, either way.
These limits were decided on to allow for variations to suit all environments and thus provide an Australia-wide market for Charbray cattle.
Professor D F Dowling, at that time Professor of Veterinary Bio-Meteorology, University of Queensland, and a member of the Steering Committee which prepared the guidelines, stressed the advantages of a breeding system based on factors to improve beef production and carcase yield, rather than on regulations designed for the convenience of a Breed Society.
The primary objective of the Charbray Society being to encourage the improvement, exhibition and sale of Charbray cattle. Since its inception, the Society’s membership has reached 95, with over 13000 head of cattle registered in the Herd Book.
