Alfonse was our favourite steer. He was on the list for the bobby calf truck at a Tikorangi dairy farm but managed to skip out of the queue and escape into the paddocks. After surviving 2 nights sleeping rough without a mother, colostrum or even a friend, he was found exhausted and malnourished but full of spirit by the farm workers, who fed him for a couple of days until he made the trip to Uruti in the back of my ute. A short bout of the scours did not stop Alfonse from growing into a starkly beautiful steer, often referred to as "quite big for a jersey".

Alfonse was personable, loud, demanding when hungry, always hungry and first at the gate. Alfonse knew his name, came galloping when called and was always looking for adventure. He did not think fences applied to him and maintained an access all areas approach to all boundaries, physical and otherwise. Alfonse loved us as much as we loved him. His favourite food were strawberries. I will never forget the way his eyes almost popped out of his head the first time the sweet taste of a sunripe strawberry hit his tastebuds.

Alfonse is survived by his brother Donnie and his very best mate Honey.

Alfonse will always be in our hearts. His heart is currently in my fridge, soon to be in our bellies.