WEBVTT 00:00:14.189 --> 00:00:20.969 Creeping over fields of green Remembering the 00:00:20.969 --> 00:00:27.269 faces The moments unseen The hands that built 00:00:27.269 --> 00:00:33.590 a dynasty The vision in their eyes Echoes in 00:00:33.590 --> 00:00:38.810 the auction bar Beneath an endless sky This is 00:00:38.810 --> 00:01:03.579 the bull buy Turn the bar Hello everyone, and 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:06.260 welcome back to the Bullvine Podcast. I'm your 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:08.280 host today, and I've got an incredible story 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:11.060 to share with you. One that perfectly captures 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:13.840 the magic that can happen when immigrant ambition 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:17.840 meets Holstein breeding genius. You know, sometimes 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:20.340 the most extraordinary journeys in our industry 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:23.819 begin with the simplest conversations. Picture 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:27.859 this. It's March 1953. Shadows stretching across 00:01:27.859 --> 00:01:30.739 the Haukholm stable floor. as young Dave Houck 00:01:30.739 --> 00:01:33.799 milks cows. He's chatting with a visiting Record 00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:36.180 of Performance inspector who casually mentions, 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:39.280 there's a good one up in Woodville. Highcroft 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:41.840 daughter, can't recall the farmer's name. The 00:01:41.840 --> 00:01:44.219 inspector returns moments later with just one 00:01:44.219 --> 00:01:48.939 word, Lilico. By midnight that very day, Dave 00:01:48.939 --> 00:01:52.299 had purchased Bonnie Lonell Texel High for $875 00:01:52.299 --> 00:01:55.870 from Clarence Lilico. a cow who would later produce 00:01:55.870 --> 00:01:58.510 a white bull calf named Romandale reflection 00:01:58.510 --> 00:02:01.730 Marcus, destined to become one of the most influential 00:02:01.730 --> 00:02:05.870 Holstein sires of the 20th century. What's fascinating 00:02:05.870 --> 00:02:08.789 is that this pivotal purchase came just months 00:02:08.789 --> 00:02:11.430 before Hauk joined forces with Stephen Roman, 00:02:11.629 --> 00:02:14.569 a Slovakian immigrant who'd transformed himself 00:02:14.569 --> 00:02:17.469 from General Motors assembly line worker to mining 00:02:17.469 --> 00:02:20.250 magnate. Together with Stephen's brother George 00:02:20.250 --> 00:02:22.949 and Hauk's breeding genius, they would build 00:02:22.949 --> 00:02:26.189 Romandale Farms into a Holstein powerhouse that 00:02:26.189 --> 00:02:29.110 rewrote industry record books and conquered show 00:02:29.110 --> 00:02:32.469 rings across North America. Let me tell you about 00:02:32.469 --> 00:02:35.729 Stephen Boleslav Roman. He stepped onto Canadian 00:02:35.729 --> 00:02:39.930 soil in June 1937, just a 16 -year -old kid with 00:02:39.930 --> 00:02:42.389 ambition that far outstripped his modest circumstances. 00:02:43.349 --> 00:02:45.810 Alongside his older brother George, sister -in 00:02:45.810 --> 00:02:48.960 -law Mary, and nephew Tony, the Romans arrived 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:52.520 from Slovakia carrying $2 ,500 and dreams of 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:55.759 opportunity in their new homeland. Their first 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:58.539 Canadian home was a small farm on Skugog Island 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:00.800 near Port Perry, Ontario, where they engaged 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:03.960 in mixed farming. Now, here's what's interesting. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:06.900 The Romans had actually been educated at an agricultural 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:10.120 college back in Slovakia and raised in relative 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:13.280 luxury on their father's estate. But in Canada, 00:03:13.419 --> 00:03:15.759 they faced the humbling realities of immigrant 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:19.080 life. One contemporary observer put it perfectly. 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:22.180 Steve Roman dreamed the classic immigrant dreams. 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:25.000 He would make a go of it, he vowed, no matter 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:28.539 what. The Romans' neighbors, Russell Carter and 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:32.000 his son Alan, became crucial allies. Alan taught 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.780 Steve English in evening sessions. The Carters 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:37.219 drove the Romans when needed, and their wives 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:40.240 shared household equipment. I love this telling 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:42.840 anecdote about their resourcefulness. George 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:45.780 once rented Steve as farm labor to Russell Carter. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:49.400 in exchange for the use of a horse. While farming 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.439 provided a start, Stephen quickly realized it 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:55.379 wouldn't satisfy his ambitions. He secured a 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:58.120 job at General Motors in Oshawa, working under 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:01.520 foreman John Pukey. And let me tell you, Roman 00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:04.139 displayed the relentless drive that would define 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:07.060 his career taking every overtime shift available, 00:04:07.400 --> 00:04:10.340 earning promotions and studying English, business, 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:14.060 and law in his limited spare time. With carefully 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:16.920 saved earnings, Roman began speculating in penny 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:20.879 mining stocks. After losing $2 ,000 in his first 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:23.959 venture, a substantial sum for an immigrant laborer, 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:26.300 he learned what became his fundamental business 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:29.680 lesson. In the mining game, the person who makes 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:32.139 the fortune is the one who controls the action. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:36.100 Roman and Pukey formed Concord Mining Syndicate, 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:39.980 starting with 19 mineral claims. Roman quit GM 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:43.759 to focus entirely on this new endeavor. By 1948, 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:46.060 the company controlled properties from Quebec 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:49.480 to Alberta. When the Ledeck oil discovery created 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:52.959 a boom in 1949, Concord acquired claims near 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:56.639 major strikes. By 1954, Roman claimed to have 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:59.120 made his first million dollars. Think about that 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:02.259 transformation, from immigrant teenager to wealthy 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:05.779 entrepreneur in less than two decades. He was 00:05:05.779 --> 00:05:08.019 now ready to return to his agricultural roots, 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:10.860 not as a struggling farmer, but as the ambitious 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:15.899 owner. of Romandale Farms. In 1950, Stephen Roman 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:19.500 purchased 150 acres north of King Road on Bathurst 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:22.480 Street in King, Ontario, marking his official 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:26.120 entry into the Holstein business. Though he briefly 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:28.639 considered breeding Guernseys, can you imagine? 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:31.800 He astutely recognized the ascendancy of Holstein 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:35.339 cattle in his region. His early purchases, I 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:38.100 have to say, reflected more enthusiasm than expertise. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:41.560 Accompanied by what was described as an unenlightened 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:44.420 herdsman, Roman acquired foundation animals from 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:47.600 various small herds. From Smith Brothers came 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:50.639 Dorothy Lonelm Texel Supreme VG, and from Murray 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:53.920 Holtby, Aiton Lodge Jean Rag Apple Echo. At Jack 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:56.319 Houck's Houckholm Farm, he purchased Re -Echo 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:59.379 May Burke EX shortly after she completed a 35 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:02.319 ,000 3 -14 pound Canadian Championship record. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:06.000 With his herd growing rapidly, Roman scheduled 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:09.240 his first production sale for March 31, 1953, 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:13.600 at Hayes Sales Arena. The event averaged $784 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:18.740 .77 per head on 64 animals, the first of 19 Romandale 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:20.939 auctions that would systematically raise the 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:23.879 bar for Holstein merchandising. But here's where 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.620 Roman made his most strategic move. He hired 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:29.220 Jack Houck's son, Dave, as herd superintendent 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:33.199 in June 1953. The Romandale advertisement announcing 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:36.620 the hire noted, It is expected that he will contribute 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:39.120 much to the development of our breeding and testing 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.920 program, for we have long admired Dave's ability 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:45.399 to pick the good ones, care for them, test them, 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:49.259 and show them. You have to understand that Hauk 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:51.720 brought an almost spiritual connection to Holstein 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:55.920 cattle, and he was just 20 years old. As a boy, 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:58.560 he'd miss church services to read the Holstein 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:01.730 Journal in the family car. He'd hand -milked 00:07:01.730 --> 00:07:04.290 Spring Farm Barely to a Canadian record as a 00:07:04.290 --> 00:07:06.990 teenager and had won the Ontario Junior Dairy 00:07:06.990 --> 00:07:11.269 Cattle Judging Competition in 1945. After a stint 00:07:11.269 --> 00:07:13.389 at Hickory Creek Farms under the mentorship of 00:07:13.389 --> 00:07:15.889 Whitey Thompson, Houck returned to work with 00:07:15.889 --> 00:07:19.310 his father before Roman's offer came. Jack Houck, 00:07:19.389 --> 00:07:22.110 recognizing opportunity, encouraged his son to 00:07:22.110 --> 00:07:25.550 accept Roman's proposition. Romandale, he said, 00:07:25.689 --> 00:07:28.329 was a big, pushy outfit that was destined to 00:07:28.329 --> 00:07:31.149 go to the top. And you know what? History would 00:07:31.149 --> 00:07:33.509 prove him right. Now, let me tell you about something 00:07:33.509 --> 00:07:37.069 remarkable. Dave Houck arrived at Romandale with 00:07:37.069 --> 00:07:40.610 five cows. These females, all daughters of Lonelm 00:07:40.610 --> 00:07:42.970 Texel Highcroft, would become the foundation 00:07:42.970 --> 00:07:45.569 upon which Romandale's breeding empire was built. 00:07:45.930 --> 00:07:49.009 Their names were Texel Highcroft Calantha, Layla 00:07:49.009 --> 00:07:52.389 Texel, Texel Francie Wayne, Georgina Texel Peavy, 00:07:52.529 --> 00:07:55.870 and Bonnie Lonelm Texel High. On paper, they 00:07:55.870 --> 00:07:58.709 seemed unimpressive. None had production -tested 00:07:58.709 --> 00:08:02.149 dams. Only three had classified dams, all scoring 00:08:02.149 --> 00:08:05.449 merely good plus. But here's where Dave Houck's 00:08:05.449 --> 00:08:08.329 genius comes in. These unheralded cows possessed 00:08:08.329 --> 00:08:11.470 an unmistakable uniformity and quality that caught 00:08:11.470 --> 00:08:14.709 his practiced eye. A contemporary described them 00:08:14.709 --> 00:08:17.149 as remarkably uniform in their type pattern, 00:08:17.350 --> 00:08:20.189 tall, wide -chested cows with clean, broad rumps, 00:08:20.350 --> 00:08:23.209 beautiful quality of bone, fine textured udders, 00:08:23.370 --> 00:08:26.009 some long teated in front, udders carried high 00:08:26.009 --> 00:08:29.560 and wide in the rear. Full sisters Texel Highcroft 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:32.419 Calantha and Layla Texel, both out of Heliana 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:36.320 Calantha GP, founded the Calantha family, a tribe 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:38.799 which empowered the Romandale herd to move forward. 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.940 Before their arrival, the Texel strain was merely 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:44.799 a strong regional bloodline, popular in and around 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:47.980 York County. The Romandale program elevated it 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:51.460 to international prominence. But the most consequential 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:54.259 of these foundation cows proved to be Bonnie 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:57.700 Lonum Texel High. the one purchased after that 00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:00.200 fateful conversation with the ROP inspector. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:04.399 She traced directly back to Musette, an 1882 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:07.039 import from Holland who had once been shown by 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:09.379 an Amish deacon who was later chastised by his 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:11.899 church for exhibiting livestock. Imagine that! 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:16.740 As a mature cow, Bonnie stood 62 inches at the 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:20.279 withers and many times taped over a ton. Despite 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:22.779 her immense power, she maintained a respectable 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:26.169 angularity and walked on, legs made of clean, 00:09:26.350 --> 00:09:29.669 flinty bone. Bonnie's show ring career included 00:09:29.669 --> 00:09:32.029 winning the milking three -year -old class at 00:09:32.029 --> 00:09:36.669 the Canadian National Exhibition in 1953. Judge 00:09:36.669 --> 00:09:39.190 Harvey Swartz, handling her at the Royal Winter 00:09:39.190 --> 00:09:41.490 Fair the following year, grabbed her rear udder 00:09:41.490 --> 00:09:45.330 and commented admiringly, Nice skin. That was 00:09:45.330 --> 00:09:48.389 high praise back then. From these Highcroft Foundation 00:09:48.389 --> 00:09:51.649 cows flowed numerous champions, including Texel 00:09:51.649 --> 00:09:54.529 Fond Hope Darkie VG, all -Canadian two -year 00:09:54.529 --> 00:09:57.970 -old of 1954, Texel Fond Hope Sparky VG, all 00:09:57.970 --> 00:10:00.490 -Canadian two -year -old of 1956, and Romandale 00:10:00.490 --> 00:10:03.649 Highcroft Rose EX, reserve all -American three 00:10:03.649 --> 00:10:07.210 -year -old of 1959. Now, if the Highcroft daughters 00:10:07.210 --> 00:10:09.669 provided the foundation of Romandale's success, 00:10:10.309 --> 00:10:13.710 their mating to ABC reflection sovereign catapulted 00:10:13.710 --> 00:10:16.750 the herd to greatness. This cross became what 00:10:16.750 --> 00:10:19.210 many called one of the potent combinations of 00:10:19.210 --> 00:10:22.149 breed history. a pairing that merged the flash, 00:10:22.389 --> 00:10:25.769 style, and quality look of the ABC blood with 00:10:25.769 --> 00:10:28.529 the power, clean bone, and boxcar rumps of the 00:10:28.529 --> 00:10:31.250 Highcrofts. The results were nothing short of 00:10:31.250 --> 00:10:34.070 spectacular. Three of the four members of the 00:10:34.070 --> 00:10:38.029 1962 All -Canadian Get of ABC Reflection Sovereign 00:10:38.029 --> 00:10:40.509 were out of Highcroft dams, while the fourth 00:10:40.509 --> 00:10:42.789 was from a fond hope daughter of a Highcroft 00:10:42.789 --> 00:10:46.549 cow. With one substitution, this group was also 00:10:46.549 --> 00:10:49.940 named the 1962 All -American Get of Sire, and 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:53.080 later voted all -time All -American. That's about 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:56.120 as good as it gets in the Holstein world. Among 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:59.080 the most celebrated progeny from this cross was 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:02.940 Romandale Cora EX4, daughter of Texel Highcroft 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:06.480 Calantha. Described as possessing Hollywood good 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.879 looks, Cora became Grand Champion and Best Utter 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:13.659 at the International Dairy Show in 1962. Later 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:17.440 sold for $23 ,300, she achieved the rare distinction 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:19.879 of being nominated All -American while having 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:23.360 over 100 ,000 pounds of milk production. At age 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:27.279 12, she classified EX96 and produced a son named 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:30.259 King of the ABCs, who would influence the breed 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:34.059 for generations. Another standout was Romandale 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:36.940 reflection Betsy EX, described as one of the 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:40.659 prettiest females bred at Romandale. Reserve 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:43.580 All -American three -year -old in 1960 after 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:46.399 winning at the International Dairy Show, Betsy 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:48.919 continued her show career by winning the Interbreed 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:51.539 Best Utter Class at the Royal Winter Fair in 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:54.919 1965 at the relatively advanced age for a show 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:57.860 cow. But the crowning achievement of the ABC 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:00.139 Highcroft Cross, the one I really want to tell 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:02.860 you about, was Romandale Reflection Marquise 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:07.139 EXST, the son of ABC and Bonnie Lonelm Texel 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:10.799 High. This white male monster, as one admirer 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:13.059 called him, would transcend even his parents' 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:15.580 considerable influence and leave an indelible 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:18.740 mark on Holstein breeding worldwide. I wish you 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:21.539 could have been there. It's a crisp autumn day 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:24.740 in 1962, and the crowd at the National Dairy 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:27.720 Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa, falls silent 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:30.919 as Judge Spencer Dunham raises his hand to indicate 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:34.860 his grand champion bull. The massive white yearling 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:37.700 at the end of Dave Houck's lead stands motionless. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:41.419 commanding the ring with his presence. Romandale 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:44.120 Reflection Marquis had just defeated America's 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:46.799 best bulls on their home turf, cementing the 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.600 Roman brothers' status as international Holstein 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:52.519 powerhouses. Marquis was the embodiment of the 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:55.279 Romans' breeding philosophy, the product of one 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:58.480 of the breed's infallible crosses, ABC Reflection 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:02.139 Sovereign on Alonum Texel Highcroft Dam. His 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:05.059 journey from calf to legendary sire exemplified 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:06.980 the Romandale approach to Holstein breeding. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:10.500 Identify exceptional foundation animals, make 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:13.059 strategic crosses, and market the results with 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:16.139 flair. As Markey matured, his dominance grew. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:20.700 Partially proven at Hawkhurst, Agro Acres, and 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:24.360 Romandale, Markey topped the 1964 Romandale sale 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:27.659 on the $37 ,000 bid of Curtis Breeding Service, 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.679 Cary, Illinois, chronicled one industry observer. 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:33.980 His progeny soon dominated show rings across 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:38.990 the continent. Between 1968 and 1974, Marquis 00:13:38.990 --> 00:13:41.830 offspring dominated the all -Canadian and all 00:13:41.830 --> 00:13:44.669 -American contests. Few sires have fathered a 00:13:44.669 --> 00:13:47.049 longer list of all -Canadian and all -American 00:13:47.049 --> 00:13:49.750 winners, and few have produced stronger breeding 00:13:49.750 --> 00:13:53.110 cattle, noted one Holstein historian. Among his 00:13:53.110 --> 00:13:55.649 most influential daughters were Anzabar Marquis 00:13:55.649 --> 00:13:58.750 Kizil EX7, all -Canadian three -year -old in 00:13:58.750 --> 00:14:03.090 1971, Neodack Marquis Josephine EX, a member 00:14:03.090 --> 00:14:06.490 of the 1973 All -Canadian Get, and the remarkable 00:14:06.490 --> 00:14:09.230 Mellow Breeze cows, Mellow Breeze Marquee Sue 00:14:09.230 --> 00:14:12.809 EX2 and Mellow Breeze Marquee Arlene EX. The 00:14:12.809 --> 00:14:15.029 Mellow Breeze sisters came to Romandale through 00:14:15.029 --> 00:14:17.250 another of Dave Houck's inspired discoveries. 00:14:18.009 --> 00:14:20.429 While speaking at a breeders' seminar in Maine 00:14:20.429 --> 00:14:24.009 in 1968, Houck was approached by Vermont dairyman 00:14:24.009 --> 00:14:26.750 Doug Nelson about two Marquee daughters he had 00:14:26.750 --> 00:14:29.850 spotted. Houck purchased the pair from Robert 00:14:29.850 --> 00:14:33.159 P. Sherman Jr. of New Haven, Vermont. Despite 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:36.080 their undistinguished maternal lines, both were 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:40.120 in calf to don auger true type model. In a remarkable 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:42.860 coincidence, both delivered excellent daughters 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:46.100 Mellow Breeze Flory EX and Mellow Breeze Giselle 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:49.559 EX4. These females founded families that would 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:52.360 rival the Calanthus in breeding power and consistently 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:55.120 produce high selling, high performing offspring 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:58.639 for two decades. While Romandale's Holstein breeding 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:01.210 program flourished, Stephen Roman's business 00:15:01.210 --> 00:15:06.169 empire expanded exponentially. In 1953, he purchased 00:15:06.169 --> 00:15:09.950 900 ,000 shares of North Denison Mines at 8 .5 00:15:09.950 --> 00:15:13.529 cents each. After renaming it Consolidated Denison 00:15:13.529 --> 00:15:16.509 Limited, he acquired claims near Quirk Lake that 00:15:16.509 --> 00:15:19.389 contained the largest body of uranium ore ever 00:15:19.389 --> 00:15:23.190 discovered. Roman later identified as one of 00:15:23.190 --> 00:15:25.870 his life's main accomplishments, the fact that 00:15:25.870 --> 00:15:28.909 he raised $59 million to bring the mine into 00:15:28.909 --> 00:15:31.200 production. without losing financial control 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:34.820 of the project. Within four years, he owned the 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:37.440 richest uranium mine in the world and by the 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:41.320 mid -1970s had secured forward orders worth $5 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:46.360 billion. His office reflected his status. Journalist 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.559 Paul McKay described it as dominated by a massive, 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:53.139 dark, antique desk imported from Europe with 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:55.480 an intricate pattern of wood inlays and hand 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.820 -carved gargoyles glaring out from the corners. 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:01.440 Behind it stood a wooden bookcase filled with 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:03.879 leather -bound books, all of which were kept 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:07.100 meticulously free from dust. The room featured 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:10.139 burnished oak paneling and a plush blood -red 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:13.440 deep -pile carpet. Roman's chair was dark brown 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:16.639 leather trimmed in gold. Above the Chesterfield 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:19.820 hung a Habsburg -era original painting depicting 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:22.220 an antelope being dismembered by a bloodied, 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:25.480 snarling bear. Roman's office procedures were 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:28.350 equally distinctive. He scheduled important meetings 00:16:28.350 --> 00:16:30.950 for Friday the 13th, believing it his lucky day. 00:16:31.610 --> 00:16:34.070 Pregnant secretaries were dismissed when their 00:16:34.070 --> 00:16:37.590 stomachs began to bulge. Yet despite his demanding 00:16:37.590 --> 00:16:40.929 nature, he respected those who stood their ground. 00:16:41.129 --> 00:16:43.610 When a secretary refused his order to run through 00:16:43.610 --> 00:16:46.309 the office, insisting she would walk briskly, 00:16:46.470 --> 00:16:49.649 Roman backed down after a moment of stunned silence. 00:16:50.529 --> 00:16:52.710 Here's something that reveals the man's character. 00:16:53.330 --> 00:16:56.399 Despite his wealth, Roman often lunched on humble 00:16:56.399 --> 00:17:00.059 fare, cabbage rolls or wieners and beans smothered 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:02.600 with ketchup, which Roman consumed with gusto, 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:05.619 though more elaborate meals were prepared for 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:07.900 distinguished guests like American President 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:11.880 Richard Nixon. At Romandale Farms, Roman maintained 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:15.079 the same involved management style. Not content 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:17.680 to sit back and permit his managers to run things, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:20.500 he was never far removed from the heat and the 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:24.380 dust. He knew every animal by sight, could recite 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:26.960 all pedigrees from memory, and was personally 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:30.819 involved in breeding decisions. To him goes the 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:33.279 credit for some of the herd's wisest matchups, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:36.980 noted one observer. Stephen Roman believed that 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:39.599 through the show ring lay the path to the Holstein 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:43.900 mountaintop. By 1959, Romandale had reached the 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:46.299 summit, winning premier breeder and exhibitor 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:48.579 banners at the International Dairy Show in Chicago. 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:52.440 Let me share a story that reveals Roman's competitive 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:55.720 spirit. As he accepted congratulations after 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:58.660 this triumph, Robert M. Rumler, Secretary of 00:17:58.660 --> 00:18:00.759 the Holstein Association of America, approached. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:03.680 Well, Steve, you did pretty well, Rumler acknowledged. 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:07.119 When Roman thanked him, Rumler added, You realize, 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:09.599 of course, that this is not our most important 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:13.680 show. Asked which was the premier event, Rumler 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:16.619 replied, Why the National Dairy Cattle Congress 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:19.539 at Waterloo? Roman took this as a challenge. 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:22.819 The following year, Romandale Farms won Premier 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:25.599 Breeder and Exhibitor at the National Dairy Cattle 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:29.579 Congress and repeated the feat in 1961 and 1962, 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:33.160 the first time in history that one herd had taken 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:36.660 these banners three years in succession. If you 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:39.000 know anything about showing cattle, you understand 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:42.380 what an extraordinary achievement that was. The 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:45.240 Romandale Show Team became legendary, featuring 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:49.119 animals like Romandale Cora EX, Romandale Reflection 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:53.579 Betsy EX, and Romandale Highcroft Rose EX. In 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:57.420 1961, these three formed one of the breed's fanciest 00:18:57.420 --> 00:19:00.259 home -bred trios to win best three females at 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:03.660 Waterloo. The impact of Romandale's show ring 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:06.480 dominance extended beyond ribbons and banners. 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:09.500 It established Canadian Holsteins as world -class, 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:11.700 paving the way for an export market that would 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:13.980 become a cornerstone of the Canadian dairy industry. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.819 In the continuance of a tradition started by 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:20.400 Estengo and Tom Hayes, the Romans' annual forays 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.940 across the border, meeting the Americans on home 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:25.259 turf, provided the Canadians with international 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:28.940 leadership of flair and style. On this foundation 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:31.880 was built the Canadian success in exporting breeding 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:35.519 stock around the world. Stephen Roman approached 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:38.019 Holstein Merchandising with the same innovation 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:42.170 he brought to mining ventures. While not the 00:19:42.170 --> 00:19:44.730 first breeder to use reduction sales as marketing 00:19:44.730 --> 00:19:47.769 tools, Roman perfected the strategy, eventually 00:19:47.769 --> 00:19:51.049 holding 18 Romandale auctions, where access to 00:19:51.049 --> 00:19:53.730 Romandale genetics was available only through 00:19:53.730 --> 00:19:56.910 these carefully orchestrated events. Roman's 00:19:56.910 --> 00:19:59.690 tax strategy influenced the timing of these sales. 00:20:00.049 --> 00:20:03.329 Because of Canada's Income Tax Act, which provided 00:20:03.329 --> 00:20:05.809 for income averaging over a five -year period, 00:20:06.150 --> 00:20:08.890 Roman liked to hold a sale every five years. 00:20:09.930 --> 00:20:12.930 That's smart business, folks. One of his innovations 00:20:12.930 --> 00:20:16.650 was offering animals in pairs. A number of females, 00:20:16.890 --> 00:20:20.009 usually 10 or 20 of them, were sold on choice, 00:20:20.170 --> 00:20:22.990 the highest bidder taking his pick. The remaining 00:20:22.990 --> 00:20:25.769 animal formed part of a nucleus for a new Romandale 00:20:25.769 --> 00:20:29.130 herd. These pairs typically included a name recognition 00:20:29.130 --> 00:20:31.869 female one who had done it all, and a younger 00:20:31.869 --> 00:20:35.710 female of unusual potential. This strategy maximized 00:20:35.710 --> 00:20:38.289 returns while ensuring Romandale retained quality 00:20:38.289 --> 00:20:41.210 foundation animals for rebuilding the herd. The 00:20:41.210 --> 00:20:44.250 results were spectacular. The ninth Romandale 00:20:44.250 --> 00:20:47.710 sale in 1975, marking the farm's 25th anniversary, 00:20:48.130 --> 00:20:51.750 featured a bull selling for $72 ,000 and a female 00:20:51.750 --> 00:20:57.410 for $31 ,000. The 149 head averaged $4 ,358 .39, 00:20:57.930 --> 00:21:01.150 the highest ever made at a Canadian auction of 00:21:01.150 --> 00:21:04.069 animals from a single herd. But these figures 00:21:04.069 --> 00:21:07.470 paled beside the 1979 Romandale dispersal, described 00:21:07.470 --> 00:21:10.009 by Holstein -Friesian Journal as fantastic and 00:21:10.009 --> 00:21:14.289 unparalleled. The auction grossed $2 ,795 ,500 00:21:14.289 --> 00:21:19.690 on 21 head, averaging $13 ,907 .96, the highest 00:21:19.690 --> 00:21:22.170 ever made at a North American dispersal, and 00:21:22.170 --> 00:21:24.289 three times better than the previous Canadian 00:21:24.289 --> 00:21:28.029 high. The sale featured world record prices for 00:21:28.029 --> 00:21:31.890 ABC Reflection's sovereign offspring. Romandale 00:21:31.890 --> 00:21:34.650 Pride, a three -month -old bull calf sold for 00:21:34.650 --> 00:21:37.269 $400 ,000 to Japan Holstein Breeding Services, 00:21:37.769 --> 00:21:40.410 Romandale Trillium, an eight -month -old heifer, 00:21:40.410 --> 00:21:44.130 brought $330 ,000, and Romandale Rose, a three 00:21:44.130 --> 00:21:48.769 -month -old heifer calf, fetched $175 ,000. Even 00:21:48.769 --> 00:21:51.630 after this dispersal, the Romans assembled another 00:21:51.630 --> 00:21:55.990 herd and held further sales. Their 1984 dispersal 00:21:55.990 --> 00:22:00.690 averaged $11 ,668 .85 per head, the highest averaging 00:22:00.690 --> 00:22:03.950 herd sale ever held in Canada. Featured were 00:22:03.950 --> 00:22:07.269 eight progeny of Northcroft Ella Elevation EX97 00:22:07.269 --> 00:22:11.009 -3E, including Romandale Sterling, who sold for 00:22:11.009 --> 00:22:14.750 $300 ,000, and Romandale Valor ET, purchased 00:22:14.750 --> 00:22:17.289 by Japan Holstein Breeding Service, for $200 00:22:17.289 --> 00:22:20.609 ,000. The final chapter came on November 13, 00:22:20.990 --> 00:22:24.549 1990. when the 40 -year Romandale story concluded 00:22:24.549 --> 00:22:28.809 with a final dispersal averaging $3 ,635 .90 00:22:28.809 --> 00:22:32.970 on 117 head. While Marquis established Romandale's 00:22:32.970 --> 00:22:35.609 reputation in North America, another bull extended 00:22:35.609 --> 00:22:38.789 the farm's influence across the Pacific. Romandale 00:22:38.789 --> 00:22:42.190 Count Kristen E .X .S .T., the Citation R., son 00:22:42.190 --> 00:22:44.970 of Grayview Pet Krista E .X., sold to Hokkaido 00:22:44.970 --> 00:22:48.190 Dairy Agricultural Co -op of Japan for $15 ,000 00:22:48.190 --> 00:22:51.839 in the seventh Romandale sale in 1969. Roman 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:54.220 had drawn semen before shipping the bull, making 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:57.220 it available to other breeders. Used extensively 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:59.779 at Romandale, Count Christon came up with one 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.960 of the highest type proofs in Canadian history, 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:05.380 even surpassing the record set by ABC reflection 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:09.720 sovereign EX Extra, his paternal grandsire. His 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:13.779 474 classified daughters rated 92 % good plus 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:17.720 and better for type with 33 excellent and 178 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:21.079 very good females. In Japan, Count Kristen's 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:24.720 influence was revolutionary. This bull is credited 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:27.059 with changing the nature and quality of Japanese 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:30.440 Holstein type in a single generation. At the 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:33.900 1983 All Japan show, three -quarters of the exhibited 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:37.299 cattle were Count Kristen offspring. His daughters 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:39.400 not only looked the part, but shattered several 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:43.640 Asian production records. The Japanese commemorated 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:46.619 his contribution by constructing a memorial statue 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:49.480 in recognition of his contribution to breed progress. 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:52.880 His North American daughters included Continental 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:56.640 Scarlet Red EX, All -American 3 -year -old, Romandale 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:59.240 Countess Jewel EX, All -Canadian 4 -year -old 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:01.900 with multiple superior production records, and 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:05.240 Romandale Countess Jan EX, Grand Champion at 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:09.539 the CNE in 1981. Behind Romandale's success lay 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:12.069 a disciplined breeding philosophy. developed 00:24:12.069 --> 00:24:14.569 through collaboration between the Romans and 00:24:14.569 --> 00:24:18.390 Dave Houck. Making breeding decisions was more 00:24:18.390 --> 00:24:21.009 or less a collaborative effort. The loud voices 00:24:21.009 --> 00:24:23.470 belonged to Steve Roman and Dave Houck. The buzz 00:24:23.470 --> 00:24:25.950 came from George Roman, seated in the background, 00:24:26.170 --> 00:24:29.349 who provided wise counsel. The team shared a 00:24:29.349 --> 00:24:32.829 vision focused on show type, good legs and udders, 00:24:32.910 --> 00:24:36.390 longevity. While popularity of bloodline was 00:24:36.390 --> 00:24:39.359 considered, it was not determinative. though 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:41.920 matings were never permitted to shift too far 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:45.920 from an ABC reflection sovereign focus. Their 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:48.359 approach to analyzing cattle was methodical. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:51.440 In analyzing a female, they tended to think in 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:54.180 terms of sharp fronts or power fronts and their 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:57.220 natural accompaniments. They recognized that 00:24:57.220 --> 00:25:00.039 certain traits came with trade -offs. The powerhouse 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:03.339 cow, or the real smooth one, they found, often 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:05.720 appears too straight in the leg, but her udder 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:08.869 is usually tucked tightly underneath. The loose 00:25:08.869 --> 00:25:11.589 -jointed, rangy cow, on the other hand, is often 00:25:11.589 --> 00:25:15.009 loose of her utter attachments. The Romandale 00:25:15.009 --> 00:25:17.250 breeding philosophy worked toward the middle, 00:25:17.329 --> 00:25:20.490 trying to reconcile these extremes, moving toward 00:25:20.490 --> 00:25:24.670 a median point. They discovered that the hardest 00:25:24.670 --> 00:25:27.049 thing to breed was strength and spring of rib 00:25:27.049 --> 00:25:30.190 with cleanness of bone. This thoughtful approach, 00:25:30.450 --> 00:25:33.130 backed by Roman's financial resources and marketing 00:25:33.130 --> 00:25:36.059 acumen, produced cattle with the consistency 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:38.779 of a baker stamping out taste treats with a cookie 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:42.160 cutter. A common misconception holds that wealthy 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.440 hobbyists like Roman operate with unlimited budgets. 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:49.079 But that wasn't Roman's way. The weekend farmer 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:51.500 usually approaches the cattle business on a no 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:54.799 -nonsense basis. The enterprise must stand on 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:57.559 its own merits. There is a dollar limit on what 00:25:57.559 --> 00:26:00.440 will be spent. Many times Dave Houck suggested 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:03.019 to Steve Roman that they buy this cow or that. 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:05.539 only to be told by Roman that the Romandale cow 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:08.740 budget would not allow it. Major purchases like 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:12.220 Pet Christa, Crisco X, and Northcroft Ella Elevation 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.799 came at a time when the farm bank account was 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:17.559 bulging, usually after a major Romandale sale. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:21.619 This fiscal discipline extended to breeding decisions. 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:25.279 When evaluating potential sires, their first 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:27.839 task was to sort out the beast's breeding pattern. 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:30.980 They scrutinized his best daughters and his worst, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:33.880 determined his strong points, enumerated the 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:35.920 things that the sire could never accomplish in 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:40.019 a million years. They used promising bulls sparingly 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:42.900 at first, more if the results justified, always 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:46.519 exercising the keenest discretion. On September 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:51.779 23, 1989, Stephen Roman died at age 68. In obituaries, 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:54.359 the business press remembered him as a business 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:57.519 titan. Peter Newman in Maclean's described him 00:26:57.519 --> 00:27:00.460 as a builder and a risk -taker on a grand scale. 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:03.559 while Toronto Sun journalist Diane Francis called 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:07.119 him one of Canada's greatest builders. His physical 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:09.539 appearance matched his larger -than -life persona. 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:12.619 Dominating the face of high Slavic cheekbones, 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:15.319 a face that frequently broke into a mischievous 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:18.740 grin, were two honest eyes, eyes that met yours 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:21.920 in direct gaze. Though known as a hard -shell 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:25.180 capitalist, Roman possessed a philosophical turn 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:28.849 of mind and was the deepest of thinkers. He believed 00:27:28.849 --> 00:27:31.890 a good man's life on earth was a gradual ascension 00:27:31.890 --> 00:27:34.549 towards enlightenment and godliness, and saw 00:27:34.549 --> 00:27:37.490 wealth creation as a high calling, an activity 00:27:37.490 --> 00:27:40.269 perfectly compatible with the religious perception 00:27:40.269 --> 00:27:43.710 of the universe. The true mourning for Stephen 00:27:43.710 --> 00:27:46.650 Roman in Holstein circles began on November 13, 00:27:47.069 --> 00:27:51.329 1990, when the Romandale herd dispersed. For 00:27:51.329 --> 00:27:53.609 with the dispersal came the realization that 00:27:53.609 --> 00:27:57.230 for the first time in 40 years, no more Romandale 00:27:57.230 --> 00:27:59.329 full -page Holst Journal advertisements would 00:27:59.329 --> 00:28:02.609 appear monthly. No more would Romandale farms 00:28:02.609 --> 00:28:05.309 provide the high -powered international leadership. 00:28:05.769 --> 00:28:08.950 No more would the beautifully scripted Romandale 00:28:08.950 --> 00:28:11.529 breeding program produce the kind of cattle that 00:28:11.529 --> 00:28:15.970 made Holstein lovers drool. Today, the Romandale 00:28:15.970 --> 00:28:18.150 influence continues through countless pedigrees 00:28:18.150 --> 00:28:21.450 tracing to Marquis, Count Kristen, and other 00:28:21.450 --> 00:28:25.009 Romandale sires and cow families. Perhaps more 00:28:25.009 --> 00:28:27.339 importantly, the Romans set a standard for breeding 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:30.200 excellence and promotional savvy that transformed 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:33.839 how Holstein cattle are marketed worldwide. As 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:37.920 for Bonnie Lonum Texel High, the $875 cow who 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:41.240 produced Romandale Reflection Marcus, her purchase 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:44.480 illustrates the perfect partnership between Roman's 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:47.079 willingness to invest and Houck's eye for quality. 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:50.799 It was these complementary talents, along with 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:53.720 George Roman's steady counsel, that built a Holstein 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:55.920 dynasty still reverberating through the breed 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:59.160 decades after the final Romandale cow left the 00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:01.920 auction ring. The story of Romandale is ultimately 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:04.759 one of vision, the immigrant's vision to build 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:07.839 a fortune, the breeder's vision to identify genetic 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:10.539 combinations that would create superior animals, 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:13.799 and the marketer's vision to showcase these achievements 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:17.140 to maximum advantage. When you think about it, 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:19.460 isn't that what makes our industry so special? 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:22.799 It's not just about cows. It's about people with 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:26.220 dreams, with vision, with determination. It's 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:29.539 about seeing potential where others don't, making 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:32.920 connections that others miss. Stephen Roman and 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:35.619 Dave Houck exemplified this perfectly, and their 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:39.079 legacy lives on in herds across the globe. Thanks 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:41.380 for joining me today for this remarkable Holstein 00:29:41.380 --> 00:30:16.939 story. Until next time, keep dreaming big. Legends 00:30:16.939 --> 00:30:18.880 live here.