News

Droughties survive the dry

18th October, 2004

Dear David and Betty,

Been meaning to send you a note for some time; ever since John and Cherry from next door mentioned that you had been trying to contact me before your sale this year. As they would have most likely have told you, things have not exactly fallen in place in this area for some time………..re rain that is.

Well unfortunately that hasn’t changed as yet, but I guess that the longer it takes till it rains, the greater the celebration !!! Hope its ok in your area, I know you had a bit of a break but haven’t heard anything of late. We have only managed a bit over 7 inches this year thus far, and only just got over 4 inches last year. Considering that in 2001 we got a massive 10 inches (most of which fell in the early part of the year), it has been the greatest tester of all time !!

Hence (considering nearly all the genetics on the place are somehow related to your stud), the reason for this note. You would imagine (I would have), that with rainfall figures like the above, that we wouldn’t have any cattle left, but in fact we have; nearly all of them. The durability of this breed has staggered me. Even though we had Droughtmasters in past droughts, there were very few purebreds amongst them, and there was a very large Shorthorn influence. Even as recently as the 1990 drought, we couldn’t really have said that we had a ‘droughtmaster’ herd; (although we had only had droughty bulls for some time)

This drought however we can, and out of approximately 650 cows at the beginning of 2001, we have lost perhaps 30. We have however sold a fairly large percentage of the cattle, and only have about 400 cows left. We have been pretty mean to the calves, and kept only 70 heifer’s out of the 01 drop (they are calving, on Mulga, now), and have about 50 weaner heifers on adjistment at Warren. The rest were taken off young and sold (unfortunately). But, of the cows that are left, we can say that they have had nothing but Mulga for 3 years, and licks. We have been pushing scrub the entire time of course, but these animals have lived on a fodder of about 5% protien (max) and a 55%protien lick for 3 years, AND, the greater % of them have produced a calf every time. The only difference to our normal operation is that we have forgiven them for not producing every year. Any cow that missed twice, we bushed, but we did give them some leeway, I don’t know if it was a good idea or not. They have for the most part remained in excellent condition, the first calf heifers are looking a bit worse for wear at the moment, but generally they look great. I’ll add some photo’s at the end to show you.

I think that the most outstanding thing about these animals is not only producing a calf in these conditions (the majority have managed one every year), is what they have done with the calf. The calves we have had here in the past 3 years are the best we have ever had (you are most likely telling me its the good bulls I’ve got!!), but the cows, no matter what their own condition, have managed to keep the calf in a forward condition. Anyway, I thought you would be interested to hear how this breed has preformed when placed under severe pressure, and I can tell you its excellent. There is a theory out here that cattle can handle ‘only’ Mulga for 12 months. These animals have been fed what I have pushed for 26 months, plus would have living on ‘only’ Mulga that they could reach themselves for 6 months before that. Admittedly licks have improved as well, but many ‘other’ type breeders in this district have had some massive losses in this area this drought. So, I’ll add a couple of photo’s for you, all photo’s have been taken in the past 6 months.

   Sire - Glen Fosslyn 741

   Sire - Glen Fosslyn 671 (Dead)

Anyway, hope all is well with you and yours, hope for heaps of rain, and with a bit of luck we’ll be able to see you at your sale next year.
Rick Gardiner