Pleased to meat you: Why allergy to cattle hair can’t stop this beef breeder’s obsession
After three long years of careful preparation, Richard Ogilvie’s bull Spitfire has finally taken out a major prize at one of the biggest agricultural shows in Australia.
A supplied image shows Richard Ogilvie's prize-winning bull Spitfire during the Ekka show at the Brisbane Showgrounds in Brisbane, Sunday, August 4, 2024. (AAP Image/Supplied by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
The breeder from Wongwibinda, northeast of Armidale in northern NSW, is allergic to cattle hair and admits he shouldn’t even be in his line of work.
“I love cattle, but I’ve got to medicate to be around them,” Mr Ogilvie told AAP after Spitfire won heaviest bull at Queensland’s Ekka.
“Dedication beyond all belief is how I describe it.
“I just love Hereford cattle, I just love showing cattle but yeah, I shouldn’t be doing it, but I am.”
There’s no cash prize on offer for the winner of the heaviest bull at the Ekka, only bragging rights.
“It’s just all for the glory,” Mr Ogilvie said.
The bull from Te Angie Poll Herefords weighed in at a staggering 1178kg, which is about as heavy as a Mazda 2 hatchback or a Ford Fiesta.
“It seems to be very, very competitive,” the breeder said of the contest.
“It’s a knife’s edge on whether you overfeed them or underfeed them so it’s pretty intense.”
He almost parted ways with Spitfire when he tried to sell the bull in 2023, but there was not a single bid on the now prize-winning bull.
“We had faith in his ability,” Mr Ogilvie said.
“It’s been a three-year project to come and win the heaviest bull at the Ekka.”
Some 1200 beef cattle from 20 breeds are on display at what is the largest annual beef cattle show in the southern hemisphere, according to Ekka chief executive Brendan Christou.
Up to 400,000 people are expected to attend the event at Brisbane Showgrounds from August 9 to August 18.
“We’re really excited to showcase the country to the city, which is what the Ekka’s all about,” Mr Christou said.
