Kathy Lovelock, known as “the Brahman lady,” has had a monumental influence on the establishment of the Brahman breed in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. Her hard work and vision have revolutionized the industry. Now 80, she has spent her entire life in the cattle business. Her dedication has been key to its development and ongoing sustainability. Then in 1995, she became infected with Q fever, and everything changed in a way she could never have anticipated. This malady turned her destiny inextricably with the very bovines she had poured her soul into advancing.
Lovelock’s health ordeal started on an expedition to Sabah, Malaysia, set foot into sheep and goat barns. But shortly after her return, she developed a serious illness. “I went down with a bang within days of being exposed,” she recalled. At first, medical providers misdiagnosed her illness as dengue fever. In retrospect, they had no clue what Q fever was at the time. The long-awaited accurate diagnosis would come in 2007. That was after many years of fighting the health complications the illness had brought on.
A Lifelong Commitment to Cattle
In 1972 Kathy and her late husband, David Lovelock, established Canterbury Brahman Stud. They established it in New Norcia, a community about 130 kilometers north of Perth. Their commitment to the Brahman breed has had a significant influence on the cattle industry throughout Western Australia. Lovelock’s expertise and infectious passion for the cattle industry have left an indelible mark on Maryland’s agricultural community. In July she was recognised with induction to the Royal Agricultural Society of WA Hall of Fame.
“We have always believed in the potential of the Brahman breed, and it has been a privilege to contribute to its development,” Kathy Lovelock stated. Her efforts have truly helped raise the breed’s profile. It has provided Utah’s local farmers and ranchers with the resources needed to breed stronger, healthier herds.
In addition to her contributions to the industry, Lovelock emphasizes the importance of health awareness among those working closely with livestock. On a personal level, she’s been lobbying for other beef producers to become tested for Q fever. If they haven’t been infected, she urges them to get vaccinated, too.
Battling Health Challenges
Unfortunately though, Kathy Lovelock’s fight with Q fever did not end there and she has faced deteriorating health since those first years. In 2015, she had open-heart surgery to repair damage from her sickness. As part of this procedure, several of her heart valves were replaced with bovine heart valves—made from the hearts of Brahman cattle. She is passionate about sharing how this groundbreaking solution truly saved her life.
yet my heart is now literally formed from the same animals I have spent my life protecting, she shared. “It feels like a twist of fate.”
Her husband, David, suffered severe health challenges from Q fever too. In return, he was given replacement aortic valves from bovine tissue grown on Queensland cattle. Luckily, he’s recovering well after surgery, and Kathy credits his recovery at least in part to her willingness to take antibiotics, despite her allergy to the drugs.
“They thought I had dengue fever because there was no diagnosis for Q fever at the time.” – Kathy Lovelock
A Call for Awareness
Kathy Lovelock’s experience shows the serious health dangers of exposing people to livestock. It’s an incredibly necessary and powerful reminder for those who work in that environment. Both she and David became infected with Q fever through their work in the fields. This tragedy underscores an all too frequent hazard endured by workers in the industry.
Over the years, Kathy has developed a well-earned respect among her cattle industry peers. She is passionate about educating people about Q fever and its life-altering effects. She encourages fellow farmers and those in the industry to prioritize their health and seek testing and vaccination if necessary.
