[5] In 1956 breeders decided to focus on red cattle only; the Droughtmaster name proposed by Atkinson was adopted.

[6]: 405  It has also been exported to other countries, among them New Guinea, Nigeria, Samoa and Taiwan.

[3]: 171 [4] Droughtmasters have good walking and foraging abilities, coupled with lower nutritional requirements to give them the ability to retain condition and keep breeding, irrespective of the prevailing conditions.

The red pigmentation in Droughtmasters helps protect the cattle from cancer eye, sunburnt udders and photosensitisation.

It is a beef breed, and is reared particularly in areas with a high incidence of drought, heat, tick-borne disease and sun damage.