The history of the proud Droughtmaster has been told many times; we all know the story of how a South African farmer’s visit to Australia was almost revolutionary for the beef genetics of Southern Africa. “When looking at the future vision of the red meat industry around the world, it becomes clear that this industry will only be able to continue to be profitable if producers adapt to the changing challenges and circumstances” - This is what Johan van der Nest had in mind when he imported this genetics to South Africa. However, less known to us is the origin of the society that made it possible to promote, preserve, and improve this breed - the origin of Droughtmaster South Africa.

 

In the early 1990s, Johan van der Nest first set his eyes on this special breed of cattle in Queensland, Australia, after which semen was imported and used in an upgrading program in the early 1990s. Then, in 1999, some bulls and heifers were imported to South Africa for further breeding. After 15 years of breeding, the dream of creating a Droughtmaster for the Southern African natural climate conditions was realized, and the first Considerata Droughtmaster stud auction was held in 2008 - the first of many victories for the Droughtmaster breed. Soon after, in 2012, optimistic breeders from Paris put their heads together and founded the Droughtmaster Club of South Africa - complete with a chairman, vice-chairman, manager, and breed advisor.

 

Following this, the club members were eager to have the breed - which left deep impressions in the hearts of their breeders - registered with the Registrar of Livestock Improvement, thus once and for all giving the Droughtmaster its rightful place as a recognized breed in South Africa. Little did this group know about the obstacles and opposition they would experience over the next decade… The first attempt to get the Droughtmaster registered was met with headwinds, ending unsuccessfully. Despite the setback, the club did not let itself be discouraged, and the first annual general meeting was held in 2013 - the members still full of courage and enthusiasm to get the breed, which would undoubtedly change South Africa’s meat production, recognized and registered. 

 

After a second unsuccessful attempt to register the breed, it was decided to register the Droughtmaster name as a trademark in SA and officially establish the Droughtmaster breed in South Africa – a brave decision that was met with opposition and legal action from the authorities. However, the tactic only added fuel to the already burning fires. After an auction in Vryburg, where interested buyers came from all over the country and even abroad in the hope of acquiring these beautiful animals, club management decided to take their fight abroad.

 

In July 2014, negotiations were entered into with the Namibian Stud Breeders Association (NSV) to get the Droughtmaster registered in our neighboring country. The president, Chief Executive Officer, and many breeders at the NSV unknowingly saw the value of the cattle breed, and without hesitation, founded the “Africa Droughtmaster Cattle Breeder Society of Namibia”. The first annual general meeting of the Droughtmaster Cattlemen’s Association was held a mere 2 months later, with more than 50 interested parties and members attending. The establishment of the society opened up the world of breeding and selection for Droughtmaster breeders across South Africa. Finally, they also had a registration authority where they could register their animals and have performance data processed, the latter through Breedplan. This gave breeders the necessary information to apply a breeding policy and selection criteria, with the promise of a very promising future for the breed as a whole. Despite their apparent successes, the battle for South African Droughtmaster breeding and enthusiasts would continue for many years to come, regardless of the victories they achieved at that time.

 

Well informed about the resistance they would undoubtedly face, the battle was courageously taken up to give the Droughtmaster its deserved recognition here in our own country. It was only in the dying throes of 2022 that the Droughtmaster breeders finally reached the end of the years-long struggle, and the Droughtmaster breed gained recognition in South Africa. December 23, 2022, is the day that will forever and always put a smile on the faces of the many South African Droughtmaster breeders who fought the battle for recognition. This is the day Droughtmaster South Africa was officially born. So, what lies ahead for the society after the huge victories of the previous years? We get the answer from the person where it all started, the very Johan van der Nest: