NEWS
A WORD FROM
THE WEST:
Photo: Stacey Ford Photography
By Kate Dodd It has been an “absolute cracker” of a year in Western Australia for Droughtmasters. In fact, it’s the best it’s been in the south west for five years, says Western Zone Director Clint Gartrell. Clint said that 2020’s success came down to the fact that the rain has come at the right time and there is ample hay to keep stock fed. He said after the first major shock of the coronavirus earlier in the year, it had prett y much returned to normal. “We’ve been extremely lucky here,” he said. Historically, he said WA producers raised cattle like Angus, Charolais, Santa Gertrudis and Brahmans, Droughtmasters were growing in popularity in areas like the
10
Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Murchison, despite the British breed turning some heads. While he said breeds like the Santa Gertrudis and Brahmans would always be up in northern environments in the long run, Droughtmasters versatility and adaptability made them a great addition. That growing popularity, he said, was because of the breed’s versatility and adaptability. “We’ve been happy with cross breeding; the girls have had no problems at all, even if they’ve mated with a large European bull, they’ve had no issues with larger calves,” he said. As well as their adaptability with crossbreeding, Clint said Droughtmasters had also proven that they could live in
the state’s varying weather conditions without issue. Clint, who previously worked as an agent for Elders, said WA relied heavily on the export market, exporting to places like Israel and Vietnam. “The export markets are still going very strong,” he said. “They don’t seem to have a problem with the Droughties as long as they are red, have a slick coat and pink nose.” As for his hopes for 2021, Clint said northern producers have had a good season and believed that would come down to the south. “If they have a good season up there it tends to have a good effect on the southern market, I still see WA as the north breeds and the south fattens,” he said.
droughtmaster.com.au
•
DECEMBER 2020