Kenilworth dairy farmers, the Paulger Family, are celebrating numerous awards won by their dairy cow Adadale Colton Rowena 32 – who’s been described as “the cow of a lifetime”.
Rowena 32, for short, is described by its owner, Shane Paulger, as being “faultless” and perhaps the best cow the family has bred in six decades on the farm.
She collected repeated champions’ ribbons this year at the Gympie Show, Gatton Show and then at the Royal Queensland Show (the Ekka). The results have drawn praise from around the world, including a “six figure” offer to buy the cow.
“The cow is a sensational cow – probably the best cow we’ve bred in 60 years,” Mr Paulger said.
“Rowena 32 is her name, she’s bred down from the legend Adadale Opals Rowena that won in 1975, ‘76 and ‘77 at the Royal Show, but we’re especially chuffed with this cow because of her amazing almost-faultless confirmation – well I’d say she is faultless – she’s the complete animal, in looks, in production, she’s a dream come true.
“As one of the judges said, she’s the cow of a lifetime for the breed. They said she’s probably the best cow that’s ever graced the Royal Show.
“Big accolades have been placed upon her. We’re very excited about her opportunities going forward, she’s only a young cow – she’s only a five-year-old.”
Rowena 32 won the Champion Jersey Cow, Supreme Udder and Supreme Cow at the Gympie Show this year. She went on to win all three awards at the Gatton Show and also then again at the Royal Queensland Show (the Ekka).
The wins come after several difficult decades, and ongoing hardships, in the dairy industry.
“There’s great great excitement here at Adadale, Kenilworth. It’s nice to think the community out there still has something to cheer about in the dairy industry,” Mr Paulger said.
“We’re fortunate that we’ve survived a very tumultuous 20 years. This year has been particularly difficult with the flooding obviously. It inundated our farm and did a huge amount of damage – six or seven metres of water went over the majority of our farm – so it’s been a very challenging time, and this just made it all worthwhile.”
Adadale Colton Rowena 32 was sired by a North American bull named Colton, which was selected after much research by the family.
“We’re very fortunate. Some exhibitors go a lifetime without achieving it. We’ve done it on numerous times. We don’t take it for granted, we understand it’s a lot of thought goes into it, a lot of hard work behind the scenes, a lot of research and reading,” Mr Paulger said.
“It’s in our blood, we’re quite good at it, we’ve had a lot of success.
“Going forward, we’re hoping many many more awards will come her way.”
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