Press Release by the Beefmaster Cattle
Breeder’s Society of SA

The whole issue regarding the so-called Droughtmaster is confusing beef breeders, especially commercial breeders not well informed on the Act and the disciplined way breeding and breeds are managed in South Africa. According to the General Manager of SA Stud Book, they are receiving enquiries from breeders who have read about this "new breed", asking whether they will be able to register the animals with Stud Book.This is however not possible because the Droughtmaster is not a declared breed in South Africa and therefore, according to the Animal Improvement Act, may not be registered by a Registering Authority.

Some history may be useful to help clear any confusion. The Beefmaster Cattle Breeders’ Society obtained permission from the Registrar of Animal Improvement in 1997 that Droughtmaster (the Austalian Beefmaster) genetics would be allowed to be imported and used only by Beefmaster breeders, on condition that the progeny would be registered as Beefmasters, not Droughtmasters. Any intended importation of “Droughtmasters” has furthermore to be submitted to the Beefmaster Society for approval and a recommendation to the Registrar of Animal Improvement.

Droughtmaster bulls such as Wingfield Rocket, Wingfield Blarney (Wrinkles), Glenlands Harry and Fancy Boy were used in Beefmaster herds from the late 1990’s and breeders can contact the Beefmaster Office in Parys for pedigree or any other information.

The Registrar of Animal Improvement, Mr M J Mamabolo sent the following e-mail to Dr Pierre Van Rooyen, General Manager of S A Stud Book on 24th April 2013:

“This is to inform you that in terms of Article 2 of Animal Improvement Act,1998 (Act 62 of 1998) the so called Droughtmaster breed is not recognised in south Africa nor do we have any records of such breed in our database (INTERGIS) at this stage.”