It may have been only a handful of Romagnola cattle on show at the Brisbane EKKA this year, but it was definitely a case of quality over quantity with the cattle that were paraded before Judge Steve Farmer of Comanche Droughtmaster Stud. First into the ring were the two outstanding senior females with calves at foot from the Pullen family’s Wyoming Romagnola Stud. The judge had strong praised for both cows commenting on their femininity, frame and mobility, as well as their quality calves. However it was Wyoming Firefly that claimed the Champion Romagnola Female ribbon with Wyoming Fern taking out the Reserve Champion. In passing comment on the two females Mr Farmer believed that Wyoming Firefly showed slightly stronger muscle development and beef producing qualities to place her in the top position ahead of her stable mate.
In the bull section it was the sole exhibit from Dick and Rosemary Jeremy’s Arkay Romagnola Stud that claimed the Champion Romagnola Bull prize. Weighing in at 884kg and boasting an EMA of 130sq cm and a scan of 11/7mm for the P8 and rib fat the 22 month old Arkay Hector was a worthy winner and a credit to his owners who hope to exhibit him at Beef 2015.
In the battle for the Champion Romagnola Exhibit it was the champion cow Wyoming Firefly with her calf Kokoda at foot that took out the top award in the Romagnola judging with the judge commenting that he felt she was the complete package.
These comments were also echoed by young Romagnola breeder Matt Black who at the conclusion of the judging purchased Firefly and her calf Kokoda to be used in his Sunny Dale Romagnola Stud in northern New South Wales.