THE Marrapodi family have been showing Charolais cattle at Sydney Royal for the past 10-plus years and have gained broad ribbons, but a "grand" award has so far been elusive.
Established in 1991 when Paul Marrapodi purchased three heifers for his Leppington property, from nearby Rick Pisaturo's Mandalong stud, St Marys, the St Antonio stud moved to Garrynian in the Black Springs district near Oberon nine years ago.
Palgrove bulls were initial sires and continue within the herd while the Marrapodis have also used homebred bulls extensively. Minnie-Vale Kraal (P) is a current sire.
Now running 200 stud breeders in the care of Mr Marrapodi's two sons, Bruno and John, the stud keeps the focus of breeding bulls for commercially-orientated cattle producers and cross-breeders.
Bruno Marrapodi said they were putting a "bit" of red into the stud herd, but not too much, as they have bull-buying clients keen to cross with Angus for darker-coloured calves. For some years St Antonio stud has been selling bulls with the Franco family, Caloona Park stud at the popular Tamworth Golden Guitar invitation sale.
Their main commercial clients are based in the Hunter Valley and up the coast as far north as Casino.
"We have also attracted some stud clients as well,"