The Charbray is a large, very rugged
breed that is heavily muscled in the loin and quarters. They have
been well accpted in those areas where cattle carrying at least
some Brahman breeding are desired because of hot and humid conditions.
Charbray is a large to moderately sized breed
with very good growth rates on their calves. The calves are generally
light tan when born but usually lighten to a creamy white in a few
weeks.
The Charbray bull is reported to be structurally
sound and have the ability to travel the distances required of bulls
in hot humid environments. They have been selected for clean, tight
sheaths, fertility and early testicular development.
The Charbray female is also said fertile
and early maturing, reaching puberty at 14-17 months and calving
at or near two years of age with rapid rebreeding and good milk
production.
In research at Texas A&M University
Agricultural Research Center, McGregor, Texas, Charbray out-performed
all other breeds tested for a 180-day weaning weight-both as a straightbred
calf and when Charbray bulls were used on seven different breeds
of dams.
Sources indicate the Charbray calves
show excellent performance in the feelod. Their resistance to heat,
humidty, parasites and diseases is to their benefit in southern
feedlots.
They grow rapidly and have outstanding feed
converting ability. They reach slaughter weights at 12 to 15 months
and produce lean, yield grade I and 2 carcasses that require little
or no fat trimming.
Reference:
Briggs, H.M. & D.M. Briggs.
Modern Breeds of Livestock. Fourth Edition. Macmillan Publishing
Co. 1980
Promotional materials from the American-International
Charolais Association, Kansas City, MO provided by Dr. Michael
L. Thonney, Professor of Animal Science, Cornell University
