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. var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad');
Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. They also topped the whole yarding of 700 high quality females. Calving ease, high libido, fertility and adaptability all combine to give the Droughtmaster an outstanding reproductive performance. Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. 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. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad'); That lower metabolic rate helps the animal produce less heat, keeping things cool even as temperatures start to increase. 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. } We can produce power from dams because of the kinetic energy of the water movements as it causes turbines to spin. Drought master breed has more advantages than disadvantages. 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. Usually, around 279 to 287 days but most gestation is 283 days. The Droughtmaster breed was first recognized in the early 1900's when local farmers and ranchers realized their cattle looked similar (Droughtmaster Australia, 2011). PHONE LIAM LYONS 0417 972 164 liamlyons@bigpond.com AUGUST 2020. Tick is an insect which usually causes itching in the fur. In a recent Queensland trial, Droughtmasters returned dressing percentages of 58% and saleable meat yields of 76%. Droughtmaster cows are attentive to their calves and care for them in adverse conditions. Other British breeds, mainly Hereford, were later used. 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. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; [6]:721[5], From 1969, five Droughtmaster bulls were used for cross-breeding with the local Bhagnari in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan, leading to the creation of the Nari Droughtmaster. 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. On poor graze, Droughtmaster Cattle produce remarkably good muscling. The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen. 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. } On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Novice to intermediate Cattle farmer/keeper level, Livestock should not be left unattended around unsupervised children. Drought master cattle breed has advantages like these cattle are free from ticks and are resistant to them. 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. They have an extended dewlap. 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. adElem.style.display = 'block'; Droughtmasters are also noted for their well muscled carcasses with optimum fat cover; give Droughtmasters excellent dressing percentages and high saleable meat yields. 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. About The Weekend. Droughtmaster Cattle are not susceptible to sunburns, pinkeye, blight, cancer eye, internal or external parasites, heat stroke, foot problems, predation or dehydration! 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. They Droughtmaster cattle have an excellent dressing percentage and high saleable meat yields. 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. Jim Bendon/Flickr. adElemSticky.innerHTML = ''; 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. The pioneers for this cattle breed wanted to establish a line of cattle that would be able to tolerate the rigors of northern Read more information about the breed below. The constant evolution of the breed is seeing it flourish across the world whilst meeting the demanding standards of Australian producers and supply chain. Despite the reputation (mostly unjustified) of some Bos indicus and Bos indicus derived breeds, the Droughtmaster is renowned for its docility. He got access to three half-breed Brahman cows, an American zebuine beef cattle derived from animals originating in India. 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 . The red pigmentation in the Droughtmaster cattle breeds skin is what helps to protect them against cancer eye, sunburnt udders, and photosensitization. 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. The Droughtmaster cattle are noted for good fertility, ease of calving and very good mothering ability under harsh conditions. 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. Dams provide us with a source of clean energy. Droughtmasters are either polled or horned with the majority of They have good immune responses to internal and external parasites. Marley - 438kg & Speckle Park bull calf . All rights reserved. led to selective breeding of the progeny to arrive finally at a fixed tropical breed The breed possesses a rare combination of traits including adaptability to harsh conditions and varied geographies. It is a beef breed, and is reared particularly in areas with a high incidence of drought, heat, tick-borne disease and sun damage.[7]. Naturally, the purebred Droughtmaster female is also ideal for use in this fashion. Cows that are carrying bull calfs their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves. The breed is basically red in color, although variations from a golden honey color Phone Don McHardy on 082 338 5800. They are relatively quiet in temperament. Bulls should never be underestimated and always be treated with caution. Drought master breed has more advantages than disadvantages. Droughtmaster are not bloat prone due to their small first stomach and ability to absorb nitrogen. 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). stud cattle exhibiting the poll characteristic. Whats more, Droughtmaster cattle also display resistance to internal parasites, eliminating the need for expensive vaccines, cumbersome rotational grazing schedules and treatment plans. Drought master cattle breed has advantages like these cattle are free from ticks and are resistant to them. 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. They have red pigmentation which helps them to protect them from cancer eye, sunburnt udders and photosensitisation. Copyright 2020 Droughtmaster. From docility and adaptability, to fertility and carcase yield, Droughtmaster's natural traits underpin its wonderful reputation as an allrounder. although they are found mainly in Queensland. VIRILITY & DOCILITYSelection for docility and high libido by the pioneer breeders, has given the Droughtmaster a reputation as a potent and active performer. It is a very suitable breed in the Australian Tropics which has good tick resistance. 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. She was born 9/02/2021. Although they are available in polled and horned varieties, most are polled, especially the studs. This structure is parasite repellent as well, due to chemicals released in the sweat. 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. to dark red occur. Droughtmaster Cattle need little care. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Make Some Miso Noodle Soup With A Soft Egg! They have good immune responses to internal and external parasites. With Shorthorn in its background, marbling performance is among the highest of the Bos indicus derived breeds producing high quality, tender beef that grades well under the current MSA Cuts Based Grading System. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; 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. Fertility was and still is, a most important characteristics - extra calves weaned will always have the greatest economic affect. 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. } Their humps are moderate and their flesh, though loose, fits well. DROUGHTMASTER GENETICS IN HIGH DEMAND 2022 was an historically momentous year for the Droughtmaster breed with five bulls selling for $200,000+. Their carcass yields are high and the quality lean meat is tender. They are relatively quiet in temperament. 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 . 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. 35 Best Cattle Breeds for Milk Dairy Cattle, 47 Best Cattle Breeds for Meat Beef Cattle. 147 followers. From docility and adaptability, to fertility and carcase yield, Droughtmasters natural traits underpin its wonderful reputation as an allrounder. That lower metabolic rate helps the animal produce less heat, keeping things cool even as temperatures start to increase. Droughtmaster Research & Education Foundation. The Droughtmaster also has more sweat glands than other breeds, and these cattle are noticeably larger. Edition, Mason, I.L. popularity has increased to the degree that is spread throughout most states of Australia, Your email address will not be published. Droughtmaster cattle are well known for the superior quality of well-muscled carcass with optimum fat coverage. Easy to handle, they are aggressive grazers and need little water. The cattle became extremely popular and are now the second largest breed in Northern Australia. Droughtmaster Cattle reach sexual maturity early and most heifers are bred around 14 months of age. Droughtmasters exhibit medium to slightly late maturity in carcass development. Curators at the Melbourne Zoo loaned three Zebu bulls, the countrys first imported Bos indicus cattle, to the graziers. 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. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. , 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. They have a great marbling performance that is among the highest of the Bos indicus derived breed. Consistently outgrowing most other breeds when nutrition is restricted, Droughtmaster performs as well as most breeds in feedlots or on high quality pasture. 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