Looks like youll be breaking up frozen waterers this season instead of whatever else youd planned. They have a good milk yield and are easily bred. 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. Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. 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. Dams provide us with a source of clean energy. LONGEVITYEarly maturity, structural soundness and a naturally active constitution can mean a longer working life, thereby reducing bull replacement costs. 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. Droughtmaster are not bloat prone due to their small first stomach and ability to absorb nitrogen. adElem.style.display = 'none'; The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; In some cases, the Droughtmaster has been introduced to reduce eye disorders. old steer group, although large bullocks are produced, particularly in northern Queensland. They have good body length, a sleek coat, and a reputation for reasonable fertility, ease of calving and good mothering ability under harsh conditions. So this breed is highly suitable for the environment of tropical areas of Australia. Rigorous genetic selection has seen major advances in breed eating quality to exceed evolving consumer demands and stringent MSA and Euro requirements. adElem.style.opacity = '1'; The Brahman, through rigorous natural selection, developed disease resistance . Droughtmasters are also noted for their well muscled carcasses with optimum fat cover; give Droughtmasters excellent dressing percentages and high saleable meat yields. 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. Make Some Miso Noodle Soup With A Soft Egg! Despite the reputation (mostly unjustified) of some Bos indicus and Bos indicus derived breeds, the Droughtmaster is renowned for its docility. 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. Whats more, Droughtmaster cattle also display resistance to internal parasites, eliminating the need for expensive vaccines, cumbersome rotational grazing schedules and treatment plans. In 1910, something of a breakthrough appeared in Australias attempts to breed cattle that could thrive on the countrys land. , DROUGHMASTER BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW. Whats more, Droughtmaster cattle also display resistance to internal parasites, eliminating the need for expensive vaccines, cumbersome. Edition, Mason, I.L. } 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. Droughtmaster National Sale (DN Sale) 14th and 15th September 2021 Lots 351 - 358. High growth performance and extended ageing of cuts can produce EQS 5 star grading. Other British breeds, mainly Hereford, were later used. All rights reserved. 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. [4], The Droughtmaster was developed from about 1915 in North Queensland by crossing zebuine cattle with cattle of British origin, principally the Beef Shorthorn. Droughtmaster cattle are well known for the superior quality of well-muscled carcass with optimum fat coverage. A slow metabolism helps Droughtmaster Cattle to stay cool as well, and they can digest food other cattle cannot! Farming requires, above all else, adaptability. Please keep up with us on socials and through our Rodeo Insider email for the most up to date Western Heritage information! The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. Starting in the 1930s, he joined them to Shorthorn and Shorthorn-Devon cross cows. adElemSticky.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; We can produce power from dams because of the kinetic energy of the water movements as it causes turbines to spin. Cows that are carrying bull calfs their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves. Copyright 2020 Droughtmaster. The Droughtmaster cattle are a tropical breed of beef cattle raised primarily for meat production. About The Weekend. It was developed from about 1915 in North Queensland by crossing zebuine cattle with cattle of British origin, principally the Beef Shorthorn. The first and perhaps the most enduring efforts to produce the rugged breed began in 1910 when the King Ranch . popularity has increased to the degree that is spread throughout most states of Australia, Currently the Droughtmaster cattle are available in some other areas outside Australia. Dry, hot summer? Eventually, these innovative breeders arrived at a beef cow that was just about perfect for Australias inhospitable environment: the Droughtmaster. Read more information about the breed below. He carefully bred up his cattle over the years while others with Brahmans in a breeding program. if (width <= 900) { With the arrival of cattle ticks into North . 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. Droughtmaster cattle are a beef cattle breed. Photo and info from Wikipedia. adElem.style.top = ''; They Droughtmaster cattle have an excellent dressing percentage and high saleable meat yields. 147 followers. Heifers in Autumn. 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. So its no wonder that, after decades of popularity in Australia, the breed is becoming more common in countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They have easy calvings and rarely need assistance. From docility and adaptability, to fertility and carcase yield, Droughtmasters natural traits underpin its wonderful reputation as an allrounder. 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 . They are relatively quiet in temperament. Medium to large breed that is parasite resistant and yield could carcass weights for good quality beef. The arrival of the cattle tick from Asia into Queensland in 1896 was a key factor in the initial development of the Droughtmaster breed. Their short, sleek coats may be pale golden red to deep cherry red! Usually, around 279 to 287 days but most gestation is 283 days. Jim Bendon/Flickr. There are a large number of sweat glands in the loose skin, allowing Droughtmaster Cattle to better thermoregulate. They have shown good average daily weight gains in pasture and feedlot trials when compared to other cattle breeds. 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. Drought master cattle are a tropical cattle breed which is mainly used for meat production. 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. Maternal instincts in Droughtmaster cows are strong, and they make attentive mothers who will defend their calves from predators. Their eyes are hooded, allowing immunity to injury, flies and sun disorders! } Their dressing percentage results are around 58% with 76% saleable meat yields. From docility and adaptability, to fertility and carcase yield, Droughtmaster's natural traits underpin its wonderful reputation as an allrounder. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; Optimum growth under a range of variable conditions is a major benefit offered by the Droughtmaster. The breed is basically red in color, although variations from a golden honey color 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. }; fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. Speckle Park & Angus x Heifers springing. Your email address will not be published. BREEDPLAN uses Best Linear Unbiased Prediction technology to produce Estimated Breeding Values across commercially-important traits. 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. The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. (function () { 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. droughtmaster bull Clear all. 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. Fertility was and still is, a most important characteristics - extra calves weaned will always have the greatest economic affect. Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation, 1989, 3rd Its The Droughtmaster breed was first recognized in the early 1900's when local farmers and ranchers realized their cattle looked similar (Droughtmaster Australia, 2011). Droughtmaster Cattle will continue to reproduce even under harsh or adverse conditions. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Most beef production areas of the world suffer a nutrient deficit at some stage, and in some cases the deficit is virtually constant. Drought master breed has more advantages than disadvantages. Excellent milking ability, digestive efficiency, low nutritional requirements, feed conversion efficiency, walking ability and foraging ability combine to make the Droughtmaster an outstanding performer. Further, excellent milking ability, low nutritional requirements and strong walking and foraging ability combine to make Droughtmaster an outstanding performer. Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. adElem.style.width = ''; And the breed is able to utilize the environment and the pastures in the most efficient manner to gain higher weight and good fertility. , 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. In the temperate regions of Australia, traditionally the home of the British breeds, low maintenance Droughtmaster is being used increasingly in crossbreeding programs to produce easy-care, productive cattle.. 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. 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. Droughtmaster Cattle are not susceptible to sunburns, pinkeye, blight, cancer eye, internal or external parasites, heat stroke, foot problems, predation or dehydration! The temperament of all the cattle that we have bought over the years has been impeccable and the amount of information that is available about each and every one of the Vale View cattle gives you confidence in buying their genetics and is evidence of the depth of breeding in their herd. This early start to breeding, plus their ability to adapt to the environment, give them an enviable reputation for longevity. That lower metabolic rate helps the animal produce less heat, keeping things cool even as temperatures start to increase. } else { Their short coat is generally red in colour, although variations from golden honey to dark red can occur. Its loose, saggy skin is partly responsible for this adaptability. They have very good heat tolerance ability, and are well adapted to the local and harsh environment. Just starting to spring. The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. List of the Advantages of Dams. They are neither fast growers nor slow, and are medium growers. Calves and can be used for drinking and other dairy products. containing approximately 50 percent Shorthorn and 50 percent Brahman bloodlines. The progeny resulting from this crossbreeding, have a significant economic advantage through their inheritance of Droughtmaster traits (in addition to the expected heterosis): Calving Ease Adaptation Longevity Reduced eye problems Bloat resistance Mothering ability Milking ability, High-growth sires can be used successfully over Droughtmaster females, due to generations of Droughtmaster breeders constantly selecting for: Low birth weight Calf shape Pelvic structure. A Droughtmaster premium was on display at the weekend's Clarence Valley Select Breeder Sale, NSW. The Droughtmaster bull passes on these dominant traits to his progeny in a crossbreeding program. 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. 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. A consistent winner in various reputable "hoof" competitions, the Droughtmaster also performs very well "on the hook". [6]:405 It has also been exported to other countries, among them New Guinea, Nigeria, Samoa and Taiwan. Droughtmaster Australia. Congratulations to Jembrae Droughtmasters who topped the PTIC section at $4,500 to average $4,300 overall. Cattle were weighed 26.02.2023. Droughtmaster Cattle are similar in build to the Shorthorn, and come in a variety of light colors. They went to great lengths to retain the Bos indicus pelvic angulation which is designed for quick and easy calving, just like wild animals which would lose their offspring to predators if they had a slow and different birth due to bad pelvic angulation. Developed by the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders' Society and the National Beef Recording Scheme, BREEDPLAN gives members the information they need to drive genetic progress and profit in their herds. MOTHERING ABILITYThe breeds maternal instincts are strong. Denene hails from a sugar cane farm in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, but after school she relocated to the Cape Winelands to study, for many years, at the University of Stellenbosch. The red pigmentation in the Droughtmaster cattle breeds skin is what helps to protect them against cancer eye, sunburnt udders, and photosensitization. var _footer = document.querySelector("#colophon"); Beef 2021. 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. The unique colour pattern impressed her and she subsequently bought the heifer from her dad. droughtmaster.com.au. Droughtmaster bulls have high libidos and produce calves with low birth weights, making them good for crossbreeding with fast-gaining breeds. var width = window.innerWidth; Droughtmaster Cattle are moderately late in maturing for slaughter, and are usually taken at one to two years of age. 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. This structure is parasite repellent as well, due to chemicals released in the sweat. 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. The combination results in a breed which unites the traits of two highly successful parent breeds. Droughtmaster Cattle, developed specifically for Northern Australias arid climate, have proved to be a miraculous advancement, adapting to poor conditions in countries worldwide! Their genetics are stabilized at 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. Breeding fertile, tropically adapted, well muscled cattle that produce tender beef. 1988, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. 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. Although they are available in polled and horned varieties, most are polled, especially the studs. Droughtmaster Cattle have a unique phenotype, which allows them to survive the heat. Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. 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