Lower production costs and greater producer profits are part of the Droughtmaster DNA. adElemSticky.style.height = rect.height + 'px';
Calving ease makes Droughtmaster cows very suitable for crossing with high growth sires, and Droughtmaster bulls pass on the important characteristics of calf shape and low birth weights when used with other breeds. They have a good milk yield and are easily bred. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. 1 calf at a time. The severe drought still raged in 1926, when one R L (Monty) Atkinson set himself to the task of creating a tropical breed that yielded meat more like British cattle. Dams provide us with a source of clean energy. The pioneer breeders of Droughtmasters made sure that cows which didn't calve each year were culled at every opportunity and this resulted in a highly fertile breed, with exceptional weaning percentages of 85% to 90% in the extensive production areas of northern Australia. 147 followers. Just starting to spring. They are considered a middle of the road breed with fat cover at optimum levels. When cattle ticks arrived in North Queensland, Australia, in the late 1800s, cattle farmers (known as graziers Down Under) knew theyd need to adapt to protect their livelihoods of keeping British cattle. He says the Droughtmaster has become such a popular breed in South Africa within a short period of time because of its exceptional temperament and its ability to adapt to various climatic conditions. [5], In 1956 breeders decided to focus on red cattle only; the Droughtmaster name proposed by Atkinson was adopted. Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent The Miniature Hereford has been developed over the last 30 years by selective breeding of stock that was originally imported to the US from England in the early 19. Speckle Park & Angus x Heifers springing. The Brangus breed was developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. For one, the breed is parasite-resistant, meaning the breeders effectively addressed the threats of cattle ticks on a herdlow birth weights, loss of condition, tick worry, decreased milk production and even transmission of the potentially fatal Tick Fever. CALVING EASEThe important breed characteristics of low birth weights and calf shape are passed on by Droughtmaster bulls, and can be very advantageous in crossbreeding or joining to heifers. adElem.style.position = ''; The Droughtmaster has inherited a digestive system, which combined with excellent walking and foraging abilities, allows Droughtmasters to continue growing and breeding in spite of low nutrient levels. attention to the cattle of other ranchers around them. The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. They produce plenty of milk and the fast growing calves have high weaning weights. VIRILITY & DOCILITYSelection for docility and high libido by the pioneer breeders, has given the Droughtmaster a reputation as a potent and active performer. With equal parts of Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus blood, the Droughtmaster provides the opportunity to crossbreed without causing a dramatic change to either the visual appearance (phenotype) or to the genotype of the progeny a major benefit without changing your breed completely. From prime improved pasture in temperate regions, light native pasture in tropical regions right through to drought conditions which invariably plague many areas of Australia, the Droughtmaster is recognised as one of the leading performers. Commercial Droughtmaster steers and cull heifers have also been keenly sought by the Live Export trade, who are well aware of the breeds outstanding performance in feedlots. Droughtmasters are also noted for their well muscled carcasses with optimum fat cover; give Droughtmasters excellent dressing percentages and high saleable meat yields. The digestive efficiency comes through: These factors also give the Droughtmaster a greater feed conversion efficiency, which is important even when nutrient is in ample supply. Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). The crossbred offspring of the humped South Asian animals were better suited for the Australian countryside than straight British breeds, though they didnt have the proportions familiar to graziers. adElem.style.display = 'block'; History Droughtmaster was the name originally coined by a group of astute cattlemen in North Queensland for the breed of cattle which they developed through crossing Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds to overcome the perennial problems of drought, cattle ticks, heat, eye cancer and many other problems that reduced production and profitability. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; adElem.style.width = (rect.width) + 'px'; The breed has a few other traits that add up to a remarkable digestive efficiency, too, including a small first stomach, an ability to recycle nutrients and a slow protein turnover rate. They crossbred various subspecies trying to find a product with parasite resistance. The Droughtmaster is a purpose-bred breed that is medium to large with a large block body and curved back with a hump between the shoulders and a tight/small dewlap. They are also used in tropical areas to improve carcass qualities and performance. A significant advantage over the handling, vaccinating and supplementing requirements of many British and Euro breeds. They are not specifically bred for their cattle hide but it does become a by-product of their meat production. Their dressing percentage results are around 58% with 76% saleable meat yields. Join us for this free event as we step back in time to celebrate our historic Texas roots and the kick-off of the San Antonio Stock . That lower metabolic rate helps the animal produce less heat, keeping things cool even as temperatures start to increase. A slow metabolism helps Droughtmaster Cattle to stay cool as well, and they can digest food other cattle cannot! According to the AustAsia Group, at 90 days, a steer can maintain a medium growth rate performance on as little as 1.45 kilograms (thats just a bit more than 3 pounds) of lower-quality hay per day. As their name so boldly states, Droughtmaster Cattle are built for drought survival. Increased number and size of sweat glands; Chemicals in sweat glands provide a repellent action; Immune response to internal and external parasites. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad');
The results in the Commercial and Stud Competitions were fantastic, and we even came home . The Droughtmaster were developed in northern Queensland, Australia's hot tropical north. They are excellent foragers and have high resistance to bloat and tick. Drought master breed has more advantages than disadvantages. Due May/June 2023. . The red pigmentation in Droughtmasters is reputed to protect the cattle from the harmful rays of the sun, thus reducing the incidence of eye disorders and photosensitization. This cattle breed is mainly found in North Queensland, Australia. Sign up to our regular newsletter and access news from across the Global AG Media network. Calving ease, high libido, fertility and adaptability all combine to give the Droughtmaster an outstanding reproductive performance. The arrival of the cattle tick from Asia into Queensland in 1896 was a key factor in the initial development of the Droughtmaster breed. From docility and adaptability, to fertility and carcase yield, Droughtmaster's natural traits underpin its wonderful reputation as an allrounder. Review full breed profile of the Droughtmaster cattle in the following chart. } They have shown good average daily weight gains in pasture and feedlot trials when compared to other cattle breeds. , with most evidence pointing to a trinity of conditions in the Droughtmaster: ticks cant hide in their short hair, the breeds sweat glands produce a repelling chemical, and their immune system responds to all manner of parasites. Much of the development was done by one breeder, R.L. "Long Bottom" Lot 98 "Put some Sugr in your bloodlines" Coastal . droughtmaster.com.au 61 64 1 CONTACTS DROUGHTMASTER STUD BREEDERS' SOCIETY ACN 010 129 683 40 Thorn Street | Ipswich, QLD 4305 Phone: 07 3281 0056 Email: office@droughtmaster.com.au Front. Rigorous genetic selection has seen major advances in breed eating quality to exceed evolving consumer demands and stringent MSA and Euro requirements. Our 2023 Western Heritage Parade will take place on February 4, 2023. Joining Droughtmaster bulls with British bred or European cows is a common practice amongst commercial cattlemen seeking to increase calving ease, milk production, parasite resistance, bloat resistance and / or tolerance to harsh seasons. Despite all these advantages, the animal is still excellent for beef production, yielding a carcase with a high percentage of well-marbled, good-colored meat. Droughtmaster Australia. The first and perhaps the most enduring efforts to produce the rugged breed began in 1910 when the King Ranch . He got access to three half-breed, For one, the breed is parasite-resistant, meaning the breeders effectively addressed the threats of cattle ticks on a herdlow birth weights, loss of condition, tick worry, decreased milk production and even transmission of the potentially fatal Tick Fever. var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad');
Easy to handle, they are aggressive grazers and need little water. Their short coat is generally red in colour, although variations from golden honey to dark red can occur. That effort gave rise to Droughtmaster cattle. Their short, sleek coats may be pale golden red to deep cherry red! }()). The Federation Drought (the worst since European settlement, according to the National Museum of Australia), combined with massive overfarming to leave the land arid, bare and unaccommodating to cattle breeds such as Shorthorns and Herefords. Currently the Droughtmaster cattle are available in some other areas outside Australia. They can finish off fields that other cattle could not digest and are not susceptible to bloat. In the 1970s, Droughtmaster Cattle were exported globally and met with accolades. They are relatively quiet in temperament. Breeding fertile, tropically adapted, well muscled cattle that produce tender beef. Recent trial results produced dressing percentages of 58% and saleable meat yields of 76%. [6]:405 It has also been exported to other countries, among them New Guinea, Nigeria, Samoa and Taiwan. The breed is optimized to tolerate heat, toono small benefit considering the energy waste caused by heat stress. Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days. Read more information about the breed below. Tick resistance in cattle is still an area for study, with most evidence pointing to a trinity of conditions in the Droughtmaster: ticks cant hide in their short hair, the breeds sweat glands produce a repelling chemical, and their immune system responds to all manner of parasites. droughtmaster.com.au. A Droughtmaster premium was on display at the weekend's Clarence Valley Select Breeder Sale, NSW. Droughtmasters exhibit a number of other beneficial traits, including lower chances of eye problems (thanks to hooded eyes and red pigment), calving ease, strong foraging abilities and a docile demeanor. Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. If you have any questions regarding the enhancements to Droughtmaster BREEDPLAN or changes in EBVs resulting from the enhancements, please contact Droughtmaster TBTS Technical Officers Paul Williams (P: 0427 018 982, E: paul@tbts.une.edu.au) , Tim Emery (P 0408 707 155, E: tim@tbts.une.edu . Their Shorthorn background also sees them demonstrating excellent marbling which further enhances their value. adElemSticky.innerHTML = ''; Their short coat is generally red in colour, although variations from golden honey to dark red can occur. adElem.style.top = '10px'; The Droughtmaster is an Australian breed of beef cattle. They have long powerful legs and a small heart-shaped face. , DROUGHMASTER BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW. Other British breeds, mainly Hereford, were later used. 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Although developed originally to be resistant to ticks, the Droughtmaster has shown a resistance to most other external and internal parasites in more recent times. Cows that are carrying bull calfs their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves. The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. [3]:171[4]. adElem.style.zIndex = '21'; Drought master cattle are a tropical cattle breed which is mainly used for meat production. Below average temperatures in the dead of winter? } It was the first Australian taurindicine hybrid breed;[3]:171 it is approximately 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus. Currently the Droughtmaster cattle are available throughout the mainland states, with the largest numbers are available between Cape York and the New South Wales border. The Droughtmaster breed was first recognized in the early 1900's when local farmers and ranchers realized their cattle looked similar (Droughtmaster Australia, 2011). Drought master cattle breed has advantages like these cattle are free from ticks and are resistant to them. Droughtmasters have good walking and foraging abilities, coupled with lower nutritional requirements to give them the ability to retain condition and keep breeding, irrespective of the prevailing conditions. Although they are available in polled and horned varieties, most are polled, especially the studs. } else { As the name implies, the Droughtmaster thrives in conditions that would undo other breeds. The cattle became extremely popular and are now the second largest breed in Northern Australia. Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. They also topped the whole yarding of 700 high quality females. Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; DROUGHTMASTER was the name originally coined by a group of astute cattlemen in North Queensland for the breed they developed by crossing Bos taurus and Bos indicus to overcome the perennial problems of drought, cattle tick, heat, eye cancer and many other issues that reduce production and profitability.. With the arrival of cattle ticks into North Queensland in 1896, it became apparent that . although they are found mainly in Queensland. Hydroelectricity is responsible for 19% of the world's energy supply, offering over 3000 terawatts each year. The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. In gaining the optimum reproductive performance, both Sire & Dam must play their part. Brangus Cattle. adElemSticky.style.width = rect.width + 'px';
C.A.B International. Droughtmaster Cattle will continue to reproduce even under harsh or adverse conditions. stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. Beef producers are attracted to Droughtmasters amazing versatility. The Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle, named for the Spanish land grant where Captain Richard King first established the King Ranch, were developed to thrive, prosper and gain weight on the native grasses of the South Texas brush country. A consistent winner in various reputable "hoof" competitions, the Droughtmaster also performs very well "on the hook". BULLSADAPTABILITYLow nutritional requirements combined with high feed conversion rates and excellent walking and foraging abilities, provide a big advantage in marginal country and adverse seasons. Cattle were weighed 26.02.2023. "Lasseter" Lot 94. Drought master cattle breed can easily adjust in the environment and knows how to utilize the environment as well as pastures in the most effective way. Video USEFUL LINKS Purebred Dairy Cattle Association American Dairy Association National Association of Animal Breeders In 1937 Mary Lindsay, daughter of a beef farmer of Greenstreet Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, spotted a uniquely coloured speckled red roan heifer in her fathers herd. They are excellent mothers and have great maternal instincts. adElem.style.position = 'fixed'; Dry, hot summer? This breed has very good resistance against tick. The subsequent F1 females are renowned as efficient dams, very suitable for joining to high growth sires. Parasite resistance comes through: Most beef production areas of the world suffer a nutrient deficit at some stage, and in some cases the deficit is virtually constant. They have good immune responses to internal and external parasites. She was born 9/02/2021. The Droughtmaster has inherited a digestive system, which combined with excellent walking and foraging abilities, allows Droughtmasters to continue growing and breeding in spite of low nutrient levels. Curators at the Melbourne Zoo loaned three Zebu bulls, the countrys first imported Bos indicus cattle, to the graziers. And the breed is able to utilize the environment and the pastures in the most efficient manner to gain higher weight and good fertility. High growth performance and extended ageing of cuts can produce EQS 5 star grading. Droughtmaster offers true multi market suitability for both domestic and international segments and, importantly, its cuts also provide terrific value to foodservice and retail customers. Tick is an insect which usually causes itching in the fur. They are fertile and have mostly easy births with little to no problems. Slow metabolic rate creates low feed requirements; Recycling of nutrients through blood stream; Reduced water consumption produces increased nitrogen; Slow rate of protein turnover allows development levels to occur on low nutrients. Despite the reputation (mostly unjustified) of some Bos indicus and Bos indicus derived breeds, the Droughtmaster is renowned for its docility. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen. var rect = adElemSticky.getBoundingClientRect();
The breed is basically red in color, although variations from a golden honey color old steer group, although large bullocks are produced, particularly in northern Queensland. Droughtmaster cattle are a beef cattle breed. All rights reserved. Phone Don McHardy on 082 338 5800. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Their humps are moderate and their flesh, though loose, fits well. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. The breed possesses a rare combination of traits including adaptability to harsh conditions and varied geographies. It was developed by several cattleman in North Queensland, Australia. The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. to dark red occur. List of the Advantages of Dams. They have easy calvings and rarely need assistance. Experience has also shown that Droughtmasters have strong prepotency. if (window.innerWidth > 900) {
Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. have gained a reputation for producing lean carcasses in the yearling to two year Congratulations to #GlenlandsDroughtmasters and #OasisDroughtmasters and buyers - we look . DROUGHTMASTER GENETICS IN HIGH DEMAND 2022 was an historically momentous year for the Droughtmaster breed with five bulls selling for $200,000+. Maternal instincts in Droughtmaster cows are strong, and they make attentive mothers who will defend their calves from predators. Droughtmaster presented the single largest breed display at BEEF Australia, with 169 head nominated for the Stud Competition from 41 studs in Queensland and NSW. Adapting is what farmers do, and its what cattle farmers in the Southern Hemisphere did nearly a century ago when they needed a breed that could contend with severe drought conditions. In some cases, the Droughtmaster has been introduced to reduce eye disorders.