We were convinced Charolais had something to offer the beef industry after inseminating 40 shorthorn cows in 1969 and the Charolais cross calves weighed, on average, 40kgs heavier than the pure shorthorn calves at 9 month at weaning. Since the Stud's conception in 1970, Rosedale has always set out to prove the commercial value of the Charolais breed. We enter carcase competitions and feed back trials to enable us to evaluate our breeding programme. We use the showring to promote the stud herd and through this have won numerous championships, including Royal Interbreed Champions.

Rosedale has concerns for the characteristics which promote efficiency and profitability, hence strict selection criteria are adhered to. Rosedale has witnessed the acceptance of cross breeding as an economic tool to obtain extra $'s per hectare return, and Rosedale believes Charolais sires do this best.

In fact research from the Beef Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) recently released results of trials (2007) has shown that some breeds are more efficient than others. Net Feed Intake (NFI) is the best way to rank the breeds, according to CRC. In the NFI breed trial, the CRC tested 469 progeny of Brahman cows bred to Hereford, Brahman, Santa Gertrudis, Belmont Red, Shorthorn, Angus, Limousin and Charolais bulls. The progeny were born in Queensland and raised together there before shipment to a southern research feedlot for a 60 day feed trial. The results, ranked in order from more efficient to less efficient, were Brahman, Charolais, Limousin, Hereford, Santa Gertrudis, Belmont Red, Shorthorn and Angus

ROSEDALE TODAY
Today, Rosedale has 300 registered stud breeders, selling 160 plus stud, commercial and composite bulls per year. We conduct an Annual on Property sale in May and have bulls and selected females available throughout the year. Rosedale does not sell cattle at any other venue. The Stud is run in conjunction with, and under the same realistic conditions as our commercial herd comprising 150 Shorthorn and 80 Angus females, all joined to charolais bulls. Rosedale is a member of Charolais Group Breedplan and has been recording since it's inception in 1993 and in 1999 Rosedale was QA Cattlecare accredited.

FROM THE BEGINING:
Rosedale is one of Australia's oldest studs, founded in 1970. The grading up programme commenced using AI on quality Poll Shorthorn cows, with the first Charolais cross calves born in 1971. That same year we imported 30 half bred females from New Zealand. In 1972 a pure French female, Sundowner Ranches Honour, by Carabinier was imported from New Zealand. Honour was a super producer, having 10 natural calves in 11 years, had a major influence in the development of the Stud. Her second calf Rosedale KB, by Apollon, had a big impact on the Stud, and was one of the most influential Australian bred bulls in the Australian Charolais breed. His progeny proved themselves in the paddock, carcase competitions and the showring.

Rob and Pat Millner, the Studs founders, handed the reins to son Michael and Jenny and their young family in 1983. The entire Gilmandyke Park Herd was purchased in 1987, and included in the 20 females were GP Ruby, the 1983 Hordern Trophy Champion and the1985 Melbourne Royal Interbred Champion Female. In 1990 Rosedale was given the chance to purchase 40 females, the entire 1988 and 1989 female drop from the Joanama Stud at their dispersal.

Polled bulls were beginning to show their popularity in the 1990's, so it was at this time that the decision was made to focus on polled genetics, which proved to be quite a challenge due to lack of genetics. However, AI sires from Canada and America, notably LHD Mr. Perfect and Mac2244 were a valuable source as well as wonderful walking sires such as Rosedale Navigator, Palgrove Jackpot, and 2UP The Vegemite Kid. Today Rosedale is Australia's largest polled stud.

With a goal to be at the front of charolais cattle production, Rosedale has sourced the best available genetics from Canada, America, France and Britain to boost performance and growth whilst complementing the femineity and productive traits of the established Rosedale bloodlines. The sires LHD Mr Perfect, Seawell Offshore and EC New Trend imported by Rosedale, have had a major impact on the Australian Charolais breed.

Rosedale has changed, developed and kept up with the challenge set at the Stud's inception. And it is still a family owned operation going forward with the next generation of Millners. Charolais cattle are exciting cattle and it is very rewarding (baring climatic conditions!) to have been part of the breed's evolvement and journey to be now recognised as a major influence in the Australian beef industry. (Feb 2008)