Charellen Poll Herefords
Breeding Program
Charellen Poll Herefords is based at Pearsondale approximately 5 kilometers west of Sale in Gippsland, Victoria.
The stud was established in 1994 with the purchase of sires and females from Willack, Palarang, Taradale, River Perry and Guilford Poll Hereford Studs.
The cow herd numbers approximately 50 head. Our calving is typically in March and April. Heifers are retained each year based on EBV’s and phenotype. Normally 8 to 10 young bulls are retained for sale at Beef week and throughout the year. Selected bulls will now be offered for sale at the Gippsland Performance Herefords Auction Plus sale in September.
Sires
Recent sire purchases have been Ravensdale Trooper L179, an Allendale Anzac E114 son purchased in 2017 and his calves are docile, dark in colour with very good growth.
Ravensdale Spark M016 an Otapawa Spark 3060 son was purchased in 2018. He is a low birth weight bull ranking in the top 5% for EBV’s and is producing meaty calves with excellent growth. A full ET brother is a Herefords Australia Super Sire.
We have increased our use of artificial insemination in recent years to enhance our breeding program with genetically superior bulls. A.I. Sires currently in use are Wirruna Nolan N146 used predominately over heifers. Yavenvale Powerhouse P499 used over heifers and the cow herd with calves on the ground showing real quality.
Breedplan
This year we are including “Super Sire” Elite M202 Q008 into our A.I. program.
All our animals are Breedplan recorded. We measure for birth, 200 day, 400 & 600 day weights. All animals are DNA tested for sire verification and free of genetic conditions.
Retained bulls and heifers are scanned for EMA, IMF and fat. Sale bulls are inoculated against and tested for Pestivirus. Our aim is to provide reliable data into the Breedplan EBV’s.
Our goal is to continually improve our herd and produce cattle with excellent phenotype and docility traits backed up by above average Estimated Breed Values.
Carcase Competitions
With the rise of well defined cattle performance recording protocols in the 1970’s, the Breedplan program was adopted at Tarwin in the late 1980’s and has been maintained ever since.
The herd is currently managed by Neville’s son David, who maintains a focus on traits needed for sound practical cattle, these include adequate weight gain, ability to finish, tractability, mothering ability, physical soundness and the cosmetic traits that clearly identify Poll Hereford cattle in the market place.
To demonstrate the performance of their cattle, the Meikles have regularly competed in carcass competitions and the Lardner field day grass fed steer trials. David comments “I like the Lardner trials, we have to compete against other breeds and it allows me to gain some insight into how our cattle compare. Generally we can guarantee to meet specifications and occasionally have a
win.” The current crop of stud sires include Wirruna Nolan, Wirruna Lamont, Ravensdale King Pin (son of Anzac E114). Tarcombe Homeland, Tarwin Millhouse and Tarwin Perth.