Droughtmaster
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use list-defined references Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox animal breedScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
The Droughtmaster is an Australian breed of beef cattle. It was developed from about 1915 in North Queensland by crossing zebuine cattle with cattle of British origin, principally the Beef Shorthorn. It was the first Australian taurindicine hybrid breed;[1]Template:R/superscript it is approximately 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus.[2]Template:R/superscript
History
The Droughtmaster was developed in North Queensland, where environmental conditions – the cattle ticks which had recently been introduced to the area, the seasonally-variable tropical climate and the low levels of protein in pastures during the summer months – made it uneconomical to rear cattle of European breeds.[3]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript A grey-blue zebu bull – formerly the property of the Melbourne Zoo – was brought into the area by a breeder named McDowall in 1911; its progeny included two red half-bred (taurindicine) bulls.[1]Template:R/superscript From about 1930 these were crossed on cows of British origin, principally Beef Shorthorn and Shorthorn–Devon cross-breeds.[4]Template:R/superscript Other British breeds, mainly Hereford, were later used. Much of the development was done by one breeder, R.L. Atkinson.[5]Template:R/superscript
In 1956 breeders decided to focus on red cattle only; the Droughtmaster name proposed by Atkinson was adopted. A breed society, the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders' Society, was formed, and a herd-book was started.[6]Template:R/superscript[5]Template:R/superscript
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 Master.[6]Template:R/superscript
The Droughtmaster has been exported to several countries in Africa (Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe), Oceania (Papua New Guinea, Samoa), South and Central America (Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico) and South-East Asia (Malaysia, the Philippines and Viet Nam).[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript[7]Template:R/superscript Population numbers are reported to DAD-IS by four countries, of which three – Australia, Mexico and Namibia – report numbers between Script error: No such module "val"..[7]Template:R/superscript In 2025 the total population world-wide was estimated at Script error: No such module "val"., and the conservation status of the breed was listed as "not at risk".[7]Template:R/superscript
Characteristics
The Droughtmaster is always red; the coat is short and soft.[8]Template:R/superscript Sexual dimorphism is marked: average weights are Script error: No such module "val". for cows and Script error: No such module "val". for bulls;[1]Template:R/superscript[3]Template:R/superscript the minimum weights specified in the breed standard are Script error: No such module "val". and Script error: No such module "val". respectively.[8]Template:R/superscript Average heights at the withers are Script error: No such module "val". for cows and Script error: No such module "val". for bulls.[3]Template:R/superscript The cattle may be either horned or naturally polled.[8]Template:R/superscript
Use
It is a beef breed, and is reared particularly in areas with a high incidence of drought, heat, tick-borne disease and sun damage.[4]Template:R/superscript
References
Script error: No such module "Side box".
- ↑ a b c d Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. Template:Isbn.
- ↑ a b Cattle breeds: Droughtmaster. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. Archived 19 March 2016.
- ↑ a b c Breed data sheet: Droughtmaster / Australia (Cattle). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed September 2025.
- ↑ a b c Breed history. Droughtmaster Stud Breeders' Society. Archived 11 March 2021.
- ↑ a b [s.n.] (24 November 2012). Droughties: bred for the north. North Queensland Register. Archived 11 March 2021.
- ↑ a b Marleen Felius (1995). Cattle Breeds: An Encyclopedia. Doetinchem, Netherlands: Misset. Template:Isbn.
- ↑ a b c Transboundary breed: Droughtmaster. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed September 2025.
- ↑ a b c Droughtmaster Standard of Excellence. Droughtmaster Stud Breeders' Society. Archived 28 February 2021.
Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
Further reading
- Stephens, M (et al.), Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Export Corporation, 2000 (4th ed), Template:Isbn
Template:Taurindicine cattle Template:Cattle breeds of Australia and New Zealand
