Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, Breed data sheet: Droughtmaster / Australia (Cattle), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Droughtmaster&oldid=1085038131, Articles needing additional references from September 2011, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 April 2022, at 02:12. A Droughtmaster premium was on display at the weekend's Clarence Valley Select Breeder Sale, NSW. Maternal instincts in Droughtmaster cows are strong, and they make attentive mothers who will defend their calves from predators. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { 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. } else { They also topped the whole yarding of 700 high quality females. Their carcass yields are high and the quality lean meat is tender. A consistent winner in various reputable "hoof" competitions, the Droughtmaster also performs very well "on the hook". 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. Breeding fertile, tropically adapted, well muscled cattle that produce tender beef. The breed is basically red in color, although variations from a golden honey color VIRILITY & DOCILITYSelection for docility and high libido by the pioneer breeders, has given the Droughtmaster a reputation as a potent and active performer. adElem.style.zIndex = ''; Dry, hot summer? Droughtmaster cows are attentive to their calves and care for them in adverse conditions. MILKING ABILITYDroughtmasters are known for their high milk production, helping to calves to thrive under favourable conditions. 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. As their name so boldly states, Droughtmaster Cattle are built for drought survival. Droughtmasters are also noted for their well muscled carcasses with optimum fat cover; give Droughtmasters excellent dressing percentages and high saleable meat yields. Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. Calves and can be used for drinking and other dairy products. Droughtmaster cattle are a beef cattle breed. They have easy calvings and rarely need assistance. This structure is parasite repellent as well, due to chemicals released in the sweat. Curators at the Melbourne Zoo loaned three Zebu bulls, the countrys first imported. Droughtmaster proudly exhibited at Beef 2021 in both Stud and Commercial sections. } , DROUGHMASTER BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW. 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. Optimum growth under a range of variable conditions is a major benefit offered by the Droughtmaster. Currently the Droughtmaster cattle are available in some other areas outside Australia. They can be either horned or polled, but the vast majority of the animals are polled. 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. They are primarily raised for meat production. They have long powerful legs and a small heart-shaped face. That lower metabolic rate helps the animal produce less heat, keeping things cool even as temperatures start to increase. The unique colour pattern impressed her and she subsequently bought the heifer from her dad. Our 2023 Western Heritage Parade will take place on February 4, 2023. There are a large number of sweat glands in the loose skin, allowing Droughtmaster Cattle to better thermoregulate. 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. adElem.style.position = ''; 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. Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent Consistently outgrowing most other breeds when nutrition is restricted, Droughtmaster performs as well as most breeds in feedlots or on high quality pasture. The constant evolution of the breed is seeing it flourish across the world whilst meeting the demanding standards of Australian producers and supply chain. On poor graze, Droughtmaster Cattle produce remarkably good muscling. Their docility and calmness keep their meat color good and the PH levels acceptable. At maturity, Droughtmaster Cattle are medium to large framed with good feet and legs. LONGEVITYDroughtmaster females mature quite early and it is not uncommon to see them joined at 14 months. adElem.style.top = '10px'; Their heat and tick tolerance, excellent fertility, ease of calving and quiet temperament give this breed a good reputation. This breed has very good resistance against tick. 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. Most beef production areas of the world suffer a nutrient deficit at some stage, and in some cases the deficit is virtually constant. adElem.style.zIndex = '21'; C.A.B International. 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. Your email address will not be published. The red pigmentation in Droughtmasters helps protect the cattle from cancer eye, sunburnt udders and photosensitisation. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen. 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. Farming requires, above all else, adaptability. stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. Their genetics are stabilized at 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. In addition to requiring less water than other beef cattle, the breed has a markedly slow metabolic rate. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. Congratulations to Jembrae Droughtmasters who topped the PTIC section at $4,500 to average $4,300 overall. Dams provide us with a source of clean energy. Easy calving eliminates the need for human intervention, thus reducing time and management costs. Marley - 438kg & Speckle Park bull calf . } else { Below average temperatures in the dead of winter? Its LONGEVITYEarly maturity, structural soundness and a naturally active constitution can mean a longer working life, thereby reducing bull replacement costs. They are fertile and have mostly easy births with little to no problems. 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. Photo and info from Wikipedia. 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. [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 GENETICS IN HIGH DEMAND 2022 was an historically momentous year for the Droughtmaster breed with five bulls selling for $200,000+. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. adElem.style.display = 'none'; }()). Naturally, the purebred Droughtmaster female is also ideal for use in this fashion. The Droughtmaster cattle are a tropical breed of beef cattle raised primarily for meat production. It was the first Australian taurindicine hybrid breed;[3]:171 it is approximately 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus. } 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. Droughtmaster bulls have high libidos and produce calves with low birth weights, making them good for crossbreeding with fast-gaining breeds. 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. Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. Favorite Jung & Johnnys Seeds For Your 2023 Garden, Winter Sowing The Spring Vegetable Garden. That effort gave rise to Droughtmaster cattle. Required fields are marked *. 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 Droughtmaster's reputation for highly efficient feed conversion, which provides a large economic advantage. With the arrival of cattle ticks into North . Drought master breed has more advantages than disadvantages. adElem.style.width = ''; Easy to handle, they are aggressive grazers and need little water. 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. Make Some Miso Noodle Soup With A Soft Egg! Congratulations to #GlenlandsDroughtmasters and #OasisDroughtmasters and buyers - we look . The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. It also offers unparalleled responsiveness, with an ability to bounce back quickly when the rain finally comes. 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. They have an extended dewlap. 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. var rect = adElemSticky.getBoundingClientRect();
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. attention to the cattle of other ranchers around them. Tippy - 504kg (White heifer) - $3,300 Tippy is an F1 Speckle Park/Droughtmaster heifer. Jason and Geraldine Barnard 205 Beneckes Road, MONTO Q 4630 M: 0409 267 474 0409 358 508 E: gjpastoral . Jim Bendon/Flickr. The Droughtmaster breed was first recognized in the early 1900's when local farmers and ranchers realized their cattle looked similar (Droughtmaster Australia, 2011). EATS WELL PROFIT IN THE PADDOCK 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. Eventually, these innovative breeders arrived at a beef cow that was just about perfect for Australias inhospitable environment: the Droughtmaster. 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. BREEDPLAN uses Best Linear Unbiased Prediction technology to produce Estimated Breeding Values across commercially-important traits. The animals have a moderate hump and an extended dewlap. } The red pigmentation in the Droughtmaster cattle breeds skin is what helps to protect them against cancer eye, sunburnt udders, and photosensitization. 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 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. 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. In a recent Queensland trial, Droughtmasters returned dressing percentages of 58% and saleable meat yields of 76%. Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days. Take a look at the boys in the "Droughtmaster $220K Club". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The cattle became extremely popular and are now the second largest breed in Northern Australia. Consequently, the F1 Droughtmaster female is renowned as a very efficient dam, and most effective when used with high-growth sires. The Brangus breed was developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. Most Cattle produce milk but not all of them are used in the dairy Cattle capacity for their milk. 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