About us

Charollais in Australia

Charollais Australia is a joint venture between Colin, Heather and Anthony Hilsdon who farm at Danengate, Hamilton, Victoria and Ian McDougall of Farmgene Pty Ltd, Gladstone, South Australia.

Colin and Heather Hilsdon emigrated from the UK in 2008 with sons Anthony and David, his wife Claire and son Ryan.  They ran a flock of Charollais in the UK and were keen to establish a stud Charollais flock in Australia.  Since arriving in Victoria in March 2008 they have managed to purchase Danengate, the neighbouring farm, along with Nigretta Downs and the gourmet restaurant Cafe Catalpa.  Colin and Heather's eldest son Mike is a chef who worked in Britain with the Roux brothers at The Waterside Inn, Bray, UK. and Melbourne at the Boathouse, Studley Park.

Ian McDougall, an Australian vet specializing in artificial reproduction in sheep has lived and worked in Britain for the past 23 years.  Ian has extensive knowledge of the Charollais breed both and in Britain and abroad, spending many years inseminating and carrying out embryo transfer on Charollais sheep.

In 2005 Farmgene imported Charollais embryos from Britain.  Since then the flock has gradually become “Australianized” and increased in size.  Other Charollais flocks have been established in South Australia, New South Wales and New Zealand.  

History of Charollais

The Charollais breed is centered around the town of Charolles in the Saone Loire region of France where it grazes alongside the famous Charolais Cattle.  Over the years Charollais rams have grown in popularity and are currently the number 1 most popular terminal sire breed in France and the 2nd most popular terminal sire breed in the UK .