RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. -Leonie Daley walked straight over to the crimson, 1-year-old South Devon heifer, a Cole County Fair winner for 12-year-old Elizabeth Kauffman, was on display at the Triple Crown ranch this week.
Most of the other 50 or so members of the South Devon World Tour were stretching their legs from the bus ride from Branson to Russellville, just the beginning of a 21-day, 13-state tour of U.S. national parks and South Devon farms.
But Daley, who operates a South Devon ranch with her husband, Chris, in Australia, was reminded by the sight that this is the first time since 1989 that they were not showing their own stock at the Royal Melbourne Show.
"We would have been showing heifers of our own, if we weren't here," Daley said. "Elizabeth's heifer is beautiful."
Around the world, South Devon ranches are similar in many ways - the breed's compliant nature and delicious marbling, diversification and loyalty to the industry.
At the same time, the differences emerge through conversations - in New Zealand they rotate stock on smaller lots, in South Africa the conditions are harsher and more remote, in the United Kingdom they maintain purity in the stock.
Unlike Mid-Missouri, where farms are common, farming is in the minority in South Africa. The John and Julie Miller's farm on the Eastern Cape is so far from town, that their children attend a boarding school during the week, he said.
"It's wonderful children are involved and encouraged in farming," Julie Miller observed of American farms.
As for Daley's Australian farm, "it might not be as flash as these," she said of the Campbell's yards.
"It's great to see how they run their farms in another part of the world," Daley said.
The world tour only is held every three years and will not be back to the U.S. for another 15 years.
"We were thrilled for this opportunity," said Triple Crown ranch owner Randy Campbell.
South Devon beef is more than just another pretty steak.
Triple Crown South Devon ranch began in 1992, within the time frame many of the visitors made the same decision.
Like most Missouri beef producers, the Campbells primary occupation is away from the farm. Not only were the South Devon adapted to the climate, they were valuable for safety and efficient time management, Campbell said.
Maternal qualities also provide an anchor for a long-term breeding program, he said.
Mervyn Rowe is able to manage his United Kingdom farm as a two-man operation with his son, due to the quiet and easy-to-handle nature of the South Devon, he said.
"There's nothing wrong with them," Miller said proudly.
The World South Devon Tour brings together breeders from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom every three years.
"It's not just cattle; it's a social thing as well," Rowe said. "It's quite nice we've got our wives with us."
They're enjoying the American countryside and culture as much as visiting with one another and the featured South Devon ranchers.
"We've never been to America before," said South African John Miller. "It's a nice way to see the countryside."
In addition to the social opportunities and sight-seeing destinations, the tour also allows the fellow breeders to see the quality of cattle elsewhere, learn about available genetics, and develop business connections for the future, Daley said.
Leaving one's livestock for three weeks is a significant choice.
For example, it's halfway through calving and lambing season in New Zealand.
"It's bad timing," said Kiwi Brian Thompson. "We had to make a sacrifice to meet these lovely people and to see your countryside."
The Campbells relied on their business connections, as well as family, friends and the Russellville FFA Chapter, to organize the morning events.
They showed off their own South Devon breeding stock and served a more than 120 plates of barbecue.
Russellville native Clayton Thompson gave a cattle judging presentation.
Larry Burch from Bates County demonstrated his use of border collies to manage stock. He brought Dot, who placed in the national top ten in both sheep and cattle in the last few years, as well as Lass and Maggie.
And the foreign visitors were introduced to Radar, the award-winning jumping mule owned by Mike Call.
"We appreciate the effort that has gone into this," Rowe said of the Russellville event. "Everyone was so pleased to see us."
On the web: www.southdevon.com