Year after year in all different environments, Droughtmaster will deliver honest reliable performance.

That's the way they were developed and that's the way they are still bred and selected today.

Breeding and growing cattle in the heat and frequent droughts of Northern Queensland was a significant challenge to the early pastoralists with their British bred stock, but the arrival of cattle ticks from Asia in 1896 made the challenge almost insurmountable.

In an effort to create a type of animal which could adapt to the adverse environment, several astute cattlemen set about crossing the hardy Zebu cattle (Bos indicus) with the traditional British breeds.

They spent many years meticulously selecting progeny for their parasite resistance, heat tolerance and general adaption to the environment, whilst never losing sight of important traits like fertility and docility.

Through the diligent use of Brahman and Zebu (Bos Indicus) genetics over their Shorthorn and Shorthorn/Devon herds, followed by the careful selection of the resultant progeny, they created a highly adaptable breed - the Droughtmaster.

The Droughtmaster's superior adaptation comes principally from:

HEAT TOLERANCE

This is a major economic factor, because when the body temperature rises, so too does the stress level with its associated waste of energy reserves, increased water consumption and reduced feed intake.

Heat tolerance in the Droughtmaster comes from:

• Short-haired sleek coat;
• Increased number and size of sweat glands;
• Large area of loose skin;
• A slow metabolic rate.
  

PARASITE RESISTANT

Both internal and external parasites are very expensive to control, so Droughtmaster with their resistance to parasites hold a substantial economic advantage. 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.

Parasite resistance comes through:

• Chemicals in sweat glands provide a repellent action;
• Shorthaired sleek coat deters attachment;
• Immune response to internal and external parasites.
  

DIGESTIVE EFFICIENCY

Most beef production areas of the world suffer a nutrient deficit at some stage, and in some cases the deficit is virtually constant. 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.

The digestive efficiency comes through:

• Small first stomach;
• Slow metabolic rate creates low feed requirements;
• Recycling of nutrients through blood stream;
• Reduced water consumption produces increased nitrogen;
• Slow rate of protein turnover allows development levels to occur on low nutrients.
  

These factors also give the Droughtmaster a greater feed conversion efficiency, which is important even when nutrient is in ample supply.

The unique structure of the gut gives the Droughtmaster a resistance to bloat, which is a distinct advantage in a good season when legumes are lush.

DOCILITY

The pioneer Droughtmaster breeders were well aware of the importance of tractable, docile cattle and through a ruthless selection process cemented docility as a breed trait.

CALVING EASE

Easy calving eliminates the need for human intervention, thus reducing time and management costs. It also ensures low cow wastage and reduces 'passengers' in the breeding herd.

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 subsequent F1 females are renowned as efficient dams, very suitable for joining to high growth sires.

RED PIGMENT

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 photosensitization.

HOODED EYES

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.

This reputation has been recognised by astute cattlemen all over the World, and semen, embryos and livestock have been exported throughout Asia, Africa, Papua New Guinea, South America, Latin America, The Pacific Islands and The Middle East.