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Africa Droughtmaster: Ideal for precision production

he Droughtmaster has quite an impression deep roots in South Africa on Johan van der and a bright future beckons Nest. Back in South for this hardy, adaptable Africa, he imported and fertile cattle breed. Droughtmaster The Africa Droughtmaster semen from CattleT Breeders’ Society boasts more than to upgrade 50 members countrywide and when it his Beefmaster comes to demand and record prices, the herd. The influence cattle can compete with the best – one was clear, and he of Johan Dannhauser’s Considerata Stud decided to establish Droughtmaster cows fetched a record the Considerata price of R620 000 at this year’s production Stud. He and some auction. fellow local breeders This cow fetched a record price of R620 000. Johan took over the core of the were instrumental Considerata Stud, established by well- in ensuring the known stud auctioneer, breeder and registration founder member of the Droughtmaster of the Africa Cattle Breeders’ Society, Johan van der Nest. Droughtmaster Although the registrar of livestock Cattle Breeders’ improvement does not yet recognise the Society in Namibia. Africa Droughtmaster as a local cattle He believes that breed, this breed is very popular among the meat industry South African livestock producers and can improve by breeders. The Namibian Stud Breeders’ leaps and bounds Society manages the registration of by applying the animals and the breed is therefore predictability and internationally recognised. Breedplan repeatability of One of the Considerata Stud’s top Droughtmaster stud bulls. manages the data processing of genetic potential performance test figures. in breeding programmes. That is why the Heifers reach puberty early and can be Origin of the Droughtmaster Droughtmaster’s exceptional qualities, of mated at 13 to 14 months. Droughtmaster The breed originated in the early 1900s, which heritability is one, are so important bulls are virile and can be used at the same when Bos Indicus bulls from India for meat production. age, contributing to a longer production life. belonging to the Melbourne Zoo, formed part of a circus that toured Australia. At Exceptional traits No need for crossbreeding Townsville a local farmer, Monty Atkinson, The breed’s balanced traits meet the The cost of crossbreeding is high, along borrowed bulls from the circus owner to requirements of the local meat industry with added input costs for grazing camps use on his Devon and Shorthorn heifers. (e.g. adapted, fertile cows with enough and other management systems required At the time, Australian producers had milk). The breed possesses several to produce different dam lines. There is also their hands full with the Taurus breeds economically important traits such as feed the extra cost of terminal bulls. It is also that struggled to adapt to the natural conversion, growth, dressing percentage possible to produce beef more profitably conditions, and the Bos indicus infusion and meat quality, which are of importance when using a composite breed such as the contributed to the adaptability of the to breeders, feedlots, meat producers and Droughtmaster. More breeding material is animals. Brahmans were imported in processors. currently available for selection to guarantee the 1930s and used on Taurus cows of The result is the profitable production the breed’s repeatability and predictability. the various British breeds. This marked of meat, and here the Droughtmaster’s This enhances the ability of producers the beginning of the Droughtmaster – a genetic and balanced traits helps it thrive to practice precision farming in the beef medium-framed animal with smooth skin under South African environmental industry, and increases profit per hectare. and hair coat ranging from light to dark conditions and farming practices. red, with good heat tolerance and fertility. Droughtmaster cows are functionally Contact the Africa Droughtmaster Cattle On a visit to Australia in the 1990s, the efficient and known for their maternal Breeders’ Society on 051 446 0580 or Droughtmaster’s heritability, uniformity traits, calving ease, fertility and superior visit www.droughtmasterafrica.co.za. and adaptability amid dry conditions made milk production for weaning heavy calves.

STOCKFARM 62 JULY 2021