A man has been charged after allegedly stealing Wagyu cattle, semen and embryos from a farm in regional NSW.
The investigation into alleged fraud and stolen genetics from a cattle farm in Grafton began in 2024.
Investigators were told a 34-year-old man was asked to sell 22 recipient cows and empty cattle on behalf of his employer; however, he actually sold 45 full-blood wagyu cows and heifers as part of the sale without his employer’s knowledge.
A recipient cow is a female cow that receives an embryo from another donor cow and carries it to term, like a surrogate mother.
An empty cow is a female cow that does not produce offspring in the breeding season.
Police further allege the man used a third-party buyer to purchase 114 cattle, including 45 full-blood cattle for himself at a greatly reduced price, gaining a financial advantage of $100,000.
He is also accused of stealing over $100,000 in cattle semen and embryos, with police finding a liquid nitrogen tank containing the semen.
The 34-year-old was arrested at Grafton Police Station and charged with more than 20 offences, including stealing cattle, dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage, committing an act of aggravated cruelty on an animal and more.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on August 4.
Investigators also allege the 34-year-old had to seek treatment for six wagyu bulls that had fallen ill.
Police say the man met with a 48-year-old vet, who provided him with false documentation that he had cared for cattle before.
Two cows died in the man’s care, NSW Police said.
The 48-year-old man was arrested from a vet clinic in Grafton, and was charged with committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal and other offences.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear in Grafton Local Court on August 11.
