Cattle : DRAKENSBERGER

Australian Status: 

Country of origin : South Africa.

International status: About 17,000 in Africa.

Arrived in Australia:

Australian Population: 2020: unknown.  2022: 122 cows

HIstory: An ancient Sanga breed of South Africa, raised by the people there for thousands of years, such as the Khoi people. When Vasco de Gama the Portugese explorer touched at the Cape in 1497, he described a "fat black ox" he traded bracelets for, and said it was excellent eating. The African cattle of the First Fleet to Australia went wild and were later found on the Nepean, the area was thus dubbed The Cowpastures, and were described as black - probably what are now called Drakensbergers. There are believed to be some descendents in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park.

These cattle walked into the hearts of colonials when they took them on The Great Trek to their new homelands. Taken to the immense and picturesque Drakensberg area, from which the name eventually became adopted. The cattle lived in all sorts of tough conditions on the trek, nothing was done for ticks and other parasites, yet they thrived. 

In 1947 breeders got together and formed the Society in South Africa. They strive for excellence and place great emphasis on the cow, making sure they calve easily, have plentiful milk from good udders, are highly fertile and maternal. The breed standard is rigorously upheld.

In 2004 the first 50 embryos came to Australia, imported by Louis and Hans Willemse, who had moved here from South Africa's Free State province. With George Lubbe they established Dragon Beef, crossing to Angus. The first 50 calves were born, and a further 100 embryos to obtain genetic diversity were imported in 2008. 

Breed Traits : Handsome, glossy black cattle. Sleek shiny coat repels insects, and reflects the sunlight; with ample sweat pores means they are very heat tolerant. Great parasite resistance. Small straight horns go slightly down. Often dehorned. Short, heavy, strong legs, good walkers. agile on steep hills and rocky ground. Good doers, thriving on low quality foraging. Heavy tail switch to swat insects. Heavy eyebrow structure to protect eyes from sun, cancer and insects. 

Calve easily, one of the prides of the breed. Calves grow fast due to the mother's ample milk and put weight on fast once weaners too. Known as 'the profit breed' by its fans.

Further enhancing their reputation, a scientific study in 2013 by Christo Bisschoff in South Africa, showed breeders were happier with them than other breeders with different cattle breeds. In his research, the Drakensberger far outperformed nine other breeds in all categories. Hardy and fuss free. A good quiet temperament means easy handling. Long lived, productive up to 14 years and over. Bulls serve naturally without any problems, in fact outperformed other bulls.

Their hardiness and adaptability means they are perfectly suited to ethical farming, which is free range not feedlot, and which is increasingly becoming the most valuable beef; although they perform very well in feedlots too.

The beef is known for being deliciously tender, found more tender than 9 other breeds in above study. A tremendous breed and easy on the eye too. Proving an excellent cross to Angus.

Organisation : Australia: Australian Drakensberger
 

In the homeland of South Africa the Drakensberg Breeders Society, which has an excellent history of the breed from which some details drawn.

Photo : Drakensberger, in South African #1 Breeds, Pinterest.

Page by Janet Lane

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