The saleyard at Roma may have hosted millions of head of cattle in its lifetime but the young water buffalo currently roaming the back pens are believed to be a first.
They're an initiative of the Ray White Rural branches at Roma and Dalby, having been sourced from Arnhem Land by Roma livestock agent Jack Clancy.
They are in demand among the horse sports fraternity, campdrafters in training in particular, as Northern Territory Buffalo Industry Council CEO Louise Bilato told Queensland Country Life in 2021.
She said they were proving very quick to train with good staying capacity, and Mr Clancy confirmed that there had been strong enquiry for the 160 head spelling at Roma.
"They're intelligent animals, quick on their feet, and they don't get bored by repetition," he said.
He was especially taken by their clean living habits - defecating in a certain area of the yards - their good nature, and the quiet way they communicate with each other, which he described as sounding like an air leak on a truck.
The yarding is a mixture of males and females, and also contains a percentage of pink-pigmented buffalo, with albino tendencies.
They mostly weigh between 200 and 300kg and are for sale at $950 a head.
They would mostly go on live export boats but Mr Clancy said that if there was enough demand in Queensland, he would source more.
"We've had sales from as far away as Scone in NSW - if it ends up being enough for a load, I can deliver to a central point," he said.
In the meantime they'll continue to stop the traffic on the Warrego Highway as they enjoy daily hosings in place of their usual muddy wallow.
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