‘Sixty years later the Droughmasters are still doing the job’: McKenzie’s honoured with Neil Donaldson Memorial Award

1 Oct 2025

Ken and Kerry McKenzie of Yaralla Droughtmasters have been honoured for their longstanding contribution to the Droughtmaster breed with one of the society’s most prestigious honours, the Neil Donaldson Memorial Award.

For the Blackwater couple, the award is particularly special. The late Neil Donaldson OAM was not only a mentor and advocate for the Droughtmaster breed, but a mate.

“Neil was a pretty special person within the breed, his longevity as CEO is outstanding and brought it to a different level,” Ken says.

“But even more than that, we were friends, and we used to have a beer with him. It was a tragic loss, but to have him remembered through this award and have our names on there with some other great people is fantastic.”

 

Quiet contributions and lasting impact 

The McKenzies have long been active contributors to the breed, from Ken chairing two Beef Weeks to establishing a commercial female sale and donating cattle for industry displays. Yet, as Droughtmaster Australia President Steve Farmer highlights, it’s often the couple’s quieter, behind the scenes efforts that make the biggest impact.

“Kerry and Ken work as a true team, and they’ve given so much support to so many within the Society,” he says.

“They take a practical approach to cattle breeding and have devoted countless hours to guiding new and younger members.

“They’ve enjoyed plenty of success, but most importantly, they’re great people who are thoroughly deserving of this award.”

 

If it ain’t broke…

For the McKenzie’s, the award marks more than 60 years of family commitment to the breed, from the pioneering days of the Colarah stud to today’s operation, which runs more than 1,000 breeders across Duaringa and Blackwater.

The McKenzie herd now spans three properties at Duaringa and Blackwater, with Pearl Creek serving as the main breeder base for more than four decades. Running around 450 registered females, their program remains commercial at its core but is built on generations of pure Droughtmaster genetics. Over time, they have adapted to changing markets, shifting from fattening bullocks to producing more feeders, while marketing their bulls through the Droughtmaster National and Artesian sales.

Ken and Kerry see the honour as recognition not only of their own efforts, but of the generations before them. Ken’s 96-year-old father established the Colarah stud just a few years after the Droughtmaster breed itself was founded in Australia and bought his first bull at the inaugural National Bull Sale in Rockhampton 60 years ago. The breed’s adaptability and hardiness has kept the family loyal ever since.

“The majority of our herd is run on native spear grass country, and they’ve just handled those conditions year in, year out,” Ken says.

“There’s good cattle in every breed, but why would we change when we get very good prices for them and 60 years later the Droughtmasters are still doing the job?”

 

The rise of the Droughtmaster 

Showcasing their cattle in competitions has always brought Ken and Kerry immense pride and joy. Ken recalls a pivotal moment watching Ed and Carol McCormack take the top title at Beef Australia in the early days.

“That was unheard of for Droughtmasters to win at that time so when I saw those steers win, it really stuck in my mind. It inspired Kerry and I to push hard, and now it’s just so good to see so many fantastic breeders kicking goals within all breeds.”

Beef Australia’s brought plenty of wins for the McKenzies, but Grand Champion was the one that topped them all.

“That’s a pinnacle for us because you go up against all breeds and that’s not an easy thing to do, especially when you’re breeding them on forest country like we are,” Ken says.

“There’s so many good producers around that you’ve just got to always keep on improving.”

 

Strong females, stronger future

Ken’s advice to the next generation is simple: there will be tough years, but don’t give up. Breed plenty of good females – and no tails.

“Your female herd is the one that pulls you through. Everyone talks about bulls, but he’s not always guaranteed to be excellent, so you’ve got to have a good line of females and no tail, meaning you bring the bottom into the top,” Ken says.

“It’s not an easy thing to do, but that’s always been one of my goals.”

The couple’s two sons have recently stepped into the business. They’re bringing fresh legs and plenty of ideas into an industry Ken and Kerry are proud to be part of.

“Agriculture can be a tough business, but it still amazes me how many good people and good operators we have. It’s a good thing to be in, and there’s a lot of good ahead in the Droughtmaster breed.”