Lower production costs and greater producer profits are part of the Droughtmaster DNA. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission. Most beef production areas of the world suffer a nutrient deficit at some stage, and in some cases the deficit is virtually constant. 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. 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. 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. Eventually, these innovative breeders arrived at a beef cow that was just about perfect for Australias inhospitable environment: the Droughtmaster. Beef 2021. Easy to handle, they are aggressive grazers and need little water. They crossbred various subspecies trying to find a product with parasite resistance. 1988, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. DROUGHTMASTER GENETICS IN HIGH DEMAND 2022 was an historically momentous year for the Droughtmaster breed with five bulls selling for $200,000+. Other British breeds, mainly Hereford, were later used. All rights reserved. Originally developed to handle the extreme heat, humidity and parasites of North Queensland, the breed is providing itself an above average performer in all conditions. The Zebu with their natural resistance to parasites were seen as the best solution, and through careful selection the Droughtmaster retained this natural resistance. They have very good heat tolerance ability, and are well adapted to the local and harsh environment. Speckle Park & Angus x Heifers springing. It was developed from about 1915 in North Queensland by crossing zebuine cattle with cattle of British origin, principally the Beef Shorthorn. 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 photo-sensitization. Global Ag Media provides a knowledge sharing platform offering premium news, analysis and information resources for the global agriculture industry. The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Congratulations to Jembrae Droughtmasters who topped the PTIC section at $4,500 to average $4,300 overall. The Droughtmaster's unique blend of characteristics have been recognised by astute cattlemen elsewhere in the world, and since the 1970's registered Droughtmaster livestock, semen & embryos have been exported to countries throughout Asia, Africa, the middle East, Latin America and the Pacific. adElem.style.top = ''; Dams provide us with a source of clean energy. Their ears are medium to large in size. 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. } Video USEFUL LINKS Purebred Dairy Cattle Association American Dairy Association National Association of Animal Breeders 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. Recent trial results produced dressing percentages of 58% and saleable meat yields of 76%. Heat tolerance in the Droughtmaster comes from: Both internal and external parasites are very expensive to control, so Droughtmaster with their resistance to parasites hold a substantial economic advantage. old steer group, although large bullocks are produced, particularly in northern Queensland. Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. She has been running with a Speckle Park bull. Large commercial Droughtmaster herds are running on native pastures in both Queensland and the Northern Territory and they are rapidly gaining prominence in the traditional British-bred areas in southern Australia. adElem.style.opacity = '1'; Sign up to our regular newsletter and access news from across the Global AG Media network. A significant advantage over the handling, vaccinating and supplementing requirements of many British and Euro breeds. adElem.style.visibility = 'visible'; The breed is optimized to tolerate heat, toono small benefit considering the energy waste caused by heat stress. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { droughtmaster.com.au. Calving ease, high libido, fertility and adaptability all combine to give the Droughtmaster an outstanding reproductive performance. The unique colour pattern impressed her and she subsequently bought the heifer from her dad. 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. He carefully bred up his cattle over the years while others with Brahmans in a breeding program. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1472596215") }),
The combination results in a breed which unites the traits of two highly successful parent breeds. 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. 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. It helps the animal dissipate body heat, as does the short hair. And the breed is able to utilize the environment and the pastures in the most efficient manner to gain higher weight and good fertility. They produce plenty of milk and the fast growing calves have high weaning weights. The results in the Commercial and Stud Competitions were fantastic, and we even came home . Droughtmaster are not bloat prone due to their small first stomach and ability to absorb nitrogen. The Droughtmasters ability to forage ans walk long distances enables them to thrive where many other breeds can't. Originally developed to handle the extreme heat, humidity and parasites of North Queensland, the breed is providing itself an above average performer in all conditions. Just starting to spring. Review full breed profile of the Droughtmaster cattle in the following chart. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. They have an extended dewlap. Droughtmaster bulls have high libidos and produce calves with low birth weights, making them good for crossbreeding with fast-gaining breeds. adElem.style.zIndex = '21'; 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. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; They are not specifically bred for their cattle hide but it does become a by-product of their meat production. She was born 9/02/2021. Bulls should never be underestimated and always be treated with caution. C.A.B International. The Droughtmaster cattle emerged and have extremely good adaptability, can withstand varying temperatures, has a high fertility rate, is docile, parasite resistant, good meat quality and the cows calve with ease. Their short, sleek coats may be pale golden red to deep cherry red! Naturally, the purebred Droughtmaster female is also ideal for use in this fashion. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Cattle Farming and Caring Information and Guide, Charolais Cattle Characteristics, Origin, Uses, Holando-Argentino Cattle Characteristics & Uses, Canadian Speckle Park Cattle Farming Business, Casta Cattle Farming Business Starting Plan For Beginners, Red Sindhi Cattle: Characteristics, Origin, Uses, Romagnola Cattle Characteristics, Uses, Origin, Chicken Farm Fire: Top Causes & Prevention Methods, Best Pans For Cooking Fish: Top 5 Fish Cooking Pans, Best Dog For Apartment Living: Perfect & Top 5 Breeds, Exercise And Weight Management in Dogs: Dos & Dont, Preparing Your Pets For Emergencies And Disasters, Rice: Sustainable & Versatile Traditional Staple, Hardy, docile, very good meat quality, calving ease, heat tolerance, parasite resistance, high fertility, well adapted to native climates, Mainly red, with variations from a golden honey color to dark red. The breed is very good for meat production with high dressing percentage and good quality meat. The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. 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 . [6]:405 It has also been exported to other countries, among them New Guinea, Nigeria, Samoa and Taiwan. Tippy - 504kg (White heifer) - $3,300 Tippy is an F1 Speckle Park/Droughtmaster heifer. This is a major economic factor, because when the body temperature rises, so too does the stress level with its associated waste of energy reserves, increased water consumption and reduced feed intake. This cattle breed is mainly found in North Queensland, Australia. The animals have a moderate hump and an extended dewlap. The red pigmentation in Droughtmasters helps protect the cattle from cancer eye, sunburnt udders and photosensitisation. MILKING ABILITYDroughtmasters are known for their high milk production, helping to calves to thrive under favourable conditions. Originating in Australia, Droughtmaster Cattle were conceptualized when cattle ticks imported to Australia in 1896 began ravaging local herds and European breeds, which did not particularly flourish in arid regions anyway. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad');
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. Whats more, Droughtmaster cattle also display resistance to internal parasites, eliminating the need for expensive vaccines, cumbersome. They have good body length, a sleek coat, and a reputation for reasonable fertility, ease of calving and good mothering ability under harsh conditions. Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. It also offers unparalleled responsiveness, with an ability to bounce back quickly when the rain finally comes. Rigorous genetic selection has seen major advances in breed eating quality to exceed evolving consumer demands and stringent MSA and Euro requirements. adElem.style.display = 'none'; have gained a reputation for producing lean carcasses in the yearling to two year Atkinson. adElem.style.position = ''; Get to Know the Droughtmaster Cattle Breed, In 1910, something of a breakthrough appeared in Australias attempts to breed cattle that could thrive on the countrys land. Their humps are moderate and their flesh, though loose, fits well. It might be time to pump some water out of the pond to keep the market garden going. Rodney Wilson is a writer, editor and co-owner of Goldfinch Farm, a family farm that raises chickens and pigs in Franklin County, Kentucky (www.goldfinchfarmky.com). Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of 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. Copyright 2020 Droughtmaster. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; . 1 calf at a time. adElemSticky.style.width = rect.width + 'px';
That lower metabolic rate helps the animal produce less heat, keeping things cool even as temperatures start to increase. They Droughtmaster cattle have an excellent dressing percentage and high saleable meat yields. So in drought conditions, when healthy native grass is in short supply, the Droughtmaster can thrive because it never needed a lot to eat anyway. , 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. These cattle does not require proper space to be kept, these can graze in pastures and know how to utilize their space to enhance their weight and health. A low maintenance digestive system, unique to Bos indicus derived breeds, contributes to the Droughtmaster's reputation for highly efficient feed conversion, which provides a large economic advantage. Recently, they have been exported to tropical and semi-arid underdeveloped countries like Western Samoa, due to their low-input, low-maintenance, high-yield beef production abilities. They are excellent foragers and have high resistance to bloat and tick. Dry, hot summer? Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. Novice to intermediate Cattle farmer/keeper level, Livestock should not be left unattended around unsupervised children. 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. 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. 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 . In addition to requiring less water than other beef cattle, the breed has a markedly slow metabolic rate. Most diseases do not affect this breed. They have long powerful legs and a small heart-shaped face. The deeply recessed or hooded eye of the Droughtmaster minimizes damage from bumping and spiking, and provides some protection from crawling and biting insects, as well as reducing the occurance of eye cancers, blight and pink eye. 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. 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. } On poor graze, Droughtmaster Cattle produce remarkably good muscling. 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. The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. They are considered a middle of the road breed with fat cover at optimum levels. Their Shorthorn background also sees them demonstrating excellent marbling which further enhances their value. BREEDPLAN uses Best Linear Unbiased Prediction technology to produce Estimated Breeding Values across commercially-important traits. Tick is an insect which usually causes itching in the fur. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again. They have good immune responses to internal and external parasites. 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. Their carcass yields are high and the quality lean meat is tender. Drought master cattle breed has advantages like these cattle are free from ticks and are resistant to them. } else { From docility and adaptability, to fertility and carcase yield, Droughtmasters natural traits underpin its wonderful reputation as an allrounder. 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. We can produce power from dams because of the kinetic energy of the water movements as it causes turbines to spin. [4], The Droughtmaster was developed from about 1915 in North Queensland by crossing zebuine cattle with cattle of British origin, principally the Beef Shorthorn. The deeply recessed or hooded eye of the Droughtmaster minimises damage from bumping and spiking, and provides some protection from crawling and biting insects, as well as reducing the occurrence of eye cancers, blight and pinkeye.The ability to adapt to adverse environments has given Droughtmasters a well-justified reputation for hardiness. It is a very suitable breed in the Australian Tropics which has good tick resistance. Beef producers are attracted to Droughtmasters amazing versatility. This breed has very good resistance against tick. A Droughtmaster premium was on display at the weekend's Clarence Valley Select Breeder Sale, NSW. So this breed is highly suitable for the environment of tropical areas of Australia. 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. With the arrival of cattle ticks into North . Instinctive foraging abilities and adaptability, as well as parasite and disease resistance combine with the genetic strength of its Bos Indicus heritage to make it low touch and economical to manage. About The Weekend. In some cases, the rankings of animals may also change. The Droughtmaster combines the best characteristics of both the British (Bos taurus) and Tropical Bos indicus breeds to produce high quality beef economically. The arrival of the cattle tick from Asia into Queensland in 1896 was a key factor in the initial development of the Droughtmaster breed. 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