photo research banner

photojournalism button photo research button photo services button staff directory button

Charolais Cattle

Charolais cattle have changed beef production concepts almost as much as the original British breeds did in the American Southwest more than a century ago. They originated around Charolles in Central France. The breed became established there and achieved considerable regard as a producer of highly rated meat in the markets at Lyon and Villefranche in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1864 a herd book was established by Conte de Bouillé in Nevers for the Nevers-Charolaise breed. Another herd book was started in 1882 in Charolles. They were combined in 1919 as the Charolais herd book. The breed attained international importance after World War II.  Charolais are medium to large framed beef cattle with a very deep and broad body. Their color is white to cream with a pink muzzle and pale hooves. They have a short, broad head and heavily muscled loins and haunches. Charolais have demonstrated a definite superiority in growth ability, efficient feedlot gains and in carcass cutout values. With excellent meat conformation, especially of the valuable parts and relative late maturity they are well suited to fattening for high finished weight.  Heifer calving can be difficult. They are well suited to all-purpose cross breeding.

Excerpt from www.cattletoday.com

Charolais heifer gets ready for show at the Prince George’s County Fair.
00cs1492
Charolais heifer gets ready for show at the Prince George’s County Fair.
00cs1493
Charolais calf at the Maryland State Fair.
01cs1081
Charolais cow and calf at the Maryland State Fair.
01cs0182
Showing charolais heifer at the Prince George’s County fair.
01cs1278
Charolais/Limousin cross calf at the Prince George’s County Fair.
01cs1279
Charolais heifers from the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD at the Maryland State Fair
01cs1374
Charolais heifer on wash rack the Maryland State Fair.
01cs0638
Angus calf from the Wye Angus herd on Maryland’s Eastern shore.
01cs0643
Angus cow from the Wye Angus herd on Maryland’s Eastern shore.
01cs0645
Angus hefiers from the Wye Angus herd on Maryland’s Eastern shore.
01cs0646
Coming 2 year old bred Charolais heifer on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1621
Coming 2 year old bred Charolais heifer on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1622
Coming 2 year old bred Charolais heifer on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1624
Coming 2 year old bred Charolais heifer on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1625
Coming 2 year old bred Charolais heifer on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1627
Coming 2 year old bred Charolais heifer on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1628
Charolais heifer with her first calf on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1630
Charolais heifer with her first calf on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1631
Dry cows on the Shadow Springs Farm near Havre de Grace, MD.
01cs1633


hot link to Photography Center e-mail - also phone number 202-720-6633

Photography Center Home Page USDA Home Page