The unique colour pattern impressed her and she subsequently bought the heifer from her dad. 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. LONGEVITYDroughtmaster females mature quite early and it is not uncommon to see them joined at 14 months. 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. The breed has also exported to South-East Asia and as well as to Pakistan, Nigeria and a number of South Pacific islands. The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. It might be time to pump some water out of the pond to keep the market garden going. adElemSticky.style.width = rect.width + 'px';
adElem.style.position = 'fixed'; Beef 2021. The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation, 1989, 3rd COWSADAPTABILITYExcellent walking and foraging abilities coupled with lower nutritional requirements give Droughtmaster cattle the ability to retain condition and keep cycling and breeding, irrespective of prevailing conditions. Yes, Quality: Good / High quality of meat. They are considered a middle of the road breed with fat cover at optimum levels. Calves and can be used for drinking and other dairy products. 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. The arrival of the cattle tick from Asia into Queensland in 1896 was a key factor in the initial development of the Droughtmaster breed. It also offers unparalleled responsiveness, with an ability to bounce back quickly when the rain finally comes. Global Ag Media provides a knowledge sharing platform offering premium news, analysis and information resources for the global agriculture industry. 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. Initial crossing of Shorthorn and Brahmanbreeds It also ensures low cow wastage and reduces 'passengers' in the breeding herd. (function () { } else { Further, excellent milking ability, low nutritional requirements and strong walking and foraging ability combine to make Droughtmaster an outstanding performer. var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad');
. Their carcass yields are high and the quality lean meat is tender. 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. 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 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. 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. Favorite Jung & Johnnys Seeds For Your 2023 Garden, Winter Sowing The Spring Vegetable Garden. Easy calving eliminates the need for human intervention, thus reducing time and management costs. Optimum growth under a range of variable conditions is a major benefit offered by the Droughtmaster. Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. In some cases, the Droughtmaster has been introduced to reduce eye disorders. Its fair to say the Droughtmaster breed delivers on both fronts with consistent high fertility rates over varied herd geographies. Astute northern cattlemen set about crossing the hardy red Zebu cattle, a Bos indicus breed, with traditional British breeds, like the Shorthorn, early last century. 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. As the name implies, the Droughtmaster thrives in conditions that would undo other breeds. Their carcass yields are high and the quality lean meat is tender. They have a good milk yield and are easily bred. Just starting to spring. They also topped the whole yarding of 700 high quality females. As such their skin/hides are used in various leather products such as rugs, etc. Dry, hot summer? Their Shorthorn background also sees them demonstrating excellent marbling which further enhances their value. They are neither fast growers nor slow, and are medium growers. Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. The pioneer breeders spent a lot of time (in some cases a lifetime) in culling and selecting breeding stock and were very particular with regard to temperament. VIRILITY & DOCILITYSelection for docility and high libido by the pioneer breeders, has given the Droughtmaster a reputation as a potent and active performer. They are primarily raised for meat production. In the vast pastoral areas of northern Australia, cattlemen can't afford to be assisting breeders during calving, so this characteristic was also a high priority for the Droughtmaster pioneer breeders. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { The breed is optimized to tolerate heat, toono small benefit considering the energy waste caused by heat stress. They are also used in tropical areas to improve carcass qualities and performance. Due May/June 2023. Droughtmaster cows are attentive to their calves and care for them in adverse conditions. Sign up to our regular newsletter and access news from across the Global AG Media network. On poor graze, Droughtmaster Cattle produce remarkably good muscling. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; After many years of selection evolved a highly adaptable, productive, fertile and docile breed in the Droughtmaster. 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. Droughtmaster Cattle are similar in build to the Shorthorn, and come in a variety of light colors. As their name so boldly states, Droughtmaster Cattle are built for drought survival. 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. Droughtmaster Cattle have a unique phenotype, which allows them to survive the heat. The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of 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. Whats more, Droughtmaster cattle also display resistance to internal parasites, eliminating the need for expensive vaccines, cumbersome rotational grazing schedules and treatment plans. C.A.B International. 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. 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. There are a large number of sweat glands in the loose skin, allowing Droughtmaster Cattle to better thermoregulate. PHONE LIAM LYONS 0417 972 164 liamlyons@bigpond.com AUGUST 2020. 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. But things only got worse in the mid 1890s. Most beef production areas of the world suffer a nutrient deficit at some stage, and in some cases the deficit is virtually constant. Marley - 438kg & Speckle Park bull calf . if (width <= 900) { 1988, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. All rights reserved. In a recent Queensland trial, Droughtmasters returned dressing percentages of 58% and saleable meat yields of 76%. Whats more, Droughtmaster cattle also display resistance to internal parasites, eliminating the need for expensive vaccines, cumbersome. 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. Their short, sleek coats may be pale golden red to deep cherry red! Their docility and calmness keep their meat color good and the PH levels acceptable. On poor graze, Droughtmaster Cattle produce remarkably good muscling. They have easy calvings and rarely need assistance. adElem.style.visibility = 'visible'; The Droughtmaster bull passes on these dominant traits to his progeny in a crossbreeding program. Since the first cross daughters generally retain all of these features, particularly calving ease they are ideal for joining to high growth rate bulls to maximise growth in terminal crosses. 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. Third Edition. EATS WELL PROFIT IN THE PADDOCK With the arrival of cattle ticks into North . The Droughtmasters ability to forage ans walk long distances enables them to thrive where many other breeds can't. 1mo Edited. Eventually, these innovative breeders arrived at a beef cow that was just about perfect for Australias inhospitable environment: the Droughtmaster. Edition, Mason, I.L. fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. var rect = adElemSticky.getBoundingClientRect();
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. The Droughtmaster is an Australian breed of beef cattle. Cows that are carrying bull calfs their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves. The combination results in a breed which unites the traits of two highly successful parent breeds. Farming requires, above all else, adaptability. [6]:405 It has also been exported to other countries, among them New Guinea, Nigeria, Samoa and Taiwan. Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Congratulations to Jembrae Droughtmasters who topped the PTIC section at $4,500 to average $4,300 overall. if (window.innerWidth > 900) {
CALVING EASEThe inherited Bos Indicus traits of pelvic structure, calf shape and low birth weight make for very easy calving, which can be used to great advantage in crossbreeding programs using high-growth sires. Excellent milking ability, digestive efficiency, low nutritional requirements, feed conversion efficiency, walking ability and foraging ability combine to make the Droughtmaster an outstanding performer. Dams provide us with a source of clean energy. This combination fits the axiom cows for your country bulls for your market. 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. Drought master cattle breed has advantages like these cattle are free from ticks and are resistant to them. MOTHERING ABILITYThe breeds maternal instincts are strong. to dark red occur. It was the first Australian taurindicine hybrid breed;[3]:171 it is approximately 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus. Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. Consistently outgrowing most other breeds when nutrition is restricted, Droughtmaster performs as well as most breeds in feedlots or on high quality pasture. They Droughtmasters are also noted for their well muscled carcasses with optimum fat cover; give Droughtmasters excellent dressing percentages and high saleable meat yields. if (rect.top <= 0) { 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. Droughtmasters are medium to large cattle with medium maturity. adElem.style.width = ''; Their humps are moderate and their flesh, though loose, fits well. Droughtmaster are not bloat prone due to their small first stomach and ability to absorb nitrogen. 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. 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. Make Some Miso Noodle Soup With A Soft Egg! [5], In 1956 breeders decided to focus on red cattle only; the Droughtmaster name proposed by Atkinson was adopted. The tick almost decimated the northern herds, which were almost exclusively long haired British breeds. Most Cattle produce milk but not all of them are used in the dairy Cattle capacity for their milk. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad');
} Visit the Africa Droughtmaster Cattle Breeders' Society at droughtmasterafrica.co.za. The breed possesses a rare combination of traits including adaptability to harsh conditions and varied geographies. Atkinson. Numerous wins in carcass competitions across Australia confirm this performance. 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. [4], The Droughtmaster was developed from about 1915 in North Queensland by crossing zebuine cattle with cattle of British origin, principally the Beef Shorthorn. Their short coat is generally red in colour, although variations from golden honey to dark red can occur. The cattle may be either horned or polled; the majority are polled and exhibit only a moderate hump. So this breed is highly suitable for the environment of tropical areas of Australia. The animals have a moderate hump and an extended dewlap. Droughtmaster bulls have high libidos and produce calves with low birth weights, making them good for crossbreeding with fast-gaining breeds. Beef producers are attracted to Droughtmasters amazing versatility. adElem.style.display = 'block'; var _footer = document.querySelector("#colophon"); 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. 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. 35 Best Cattle Breeds for Milk Dairy Cattle, 47 Best Cattle Breeds for Meat Beef Cattle. Drought master breed has more advantages than disadvantages. This early start to breeding, plus their ability to adapt to the environment, give them an enviable reputation for longevity. Maternal instincts in Droughtmaster cows are strong, and they make attentive mothers who will defend their calves from predators. Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. Required fields are marked *. Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days. It is a very suitable breed in the Australian Tropics which has good tick resistance. About The Weekend. Naturally, the purebred Droughtmaster female is also ideal for use in this fashion. At maturity, Droughtmaster Cattle are medium to large framed with good feet and legs. They are fertile and have mostly easy births with little to no problems. Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. They have good body length, a sleek coat, and a reputation for reasonable fertility, ease of calving and good mothering ability under harsh conditions. 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 cattle became extremely popular and are now the second largest breed in Northern Australia. 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. Although they are available in polled and horned varieties, most are polled, especially the studs. The constant evolution of the breed is seeing it flourish across the world whilst meeting the demanding standards of Australian producers and supply chain. , 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. , DROUGHMASTER BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW. 147 followers. Droughtmaster Cattle reach sexual maturity early and most heifers are bred around 14 months of age. They can be either horned or polled, but the vast majority of the animals are polled. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again. 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 have an extended dewlap. adElem.style.opacity = '0'; In addition to requiring less water than other beef cattle, the breed has a markedly slow metabolic rate. 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. And the breed is able to utilize the environment and the pastures in the most efficient manner to gain higher weight and good fertility. The Brangus breed was developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. cattle, to the graziers. They have long powerful legs and a small heart-shaped face. Its loose, saggy skin is partly responsible for this adaptability. 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. A low-maintenance digestive system, unique to Bos Indicus derived breeds, contributes to the Droughtmasters reputation for super-efficient feed conversion, which provides a large economic advantage.
