Eric Fraser charged with stealing cattle, semen and embryos from Sumo Wagyu Genetics

A farm manager has been charged with stealing wagyu cattle semen and embryos while he worked for a prestigious livestock producer.

Police allege a Grafton man stole wagyu cattle, semen and embryos from his employer. Picture: NSW Police

A farm manager has been charged with stealing wagyu cattle semen and embryos, and allegedly obtaining 45 premium cows, in an elaborate scheme while he worked for a prestigious livestock producer at Grafton in northern NSW.

Eric Fraser, 34, was arrested this week by detectives from NSW Police’s Rural Crime Prevention Team and charged with more than 20 offences including animal cruelty and ­obtaining financial advantage by deception involving more than $100,000, after a year-long investigation into his alleged offending while working at Sumo Wagyu Genetics.

Police allege that n early 2024, Fraser stole embryos, semen and cattle from his then-employer after being directed to sell 200 recipient and empty cows – that is, animals that can’t breed.

However, without the knowledge of Sumo, Fraser allegedly secretly mixed in 45 full-blood wagyu cows and heifers as part of the 200, claiming they were empty cows.

Empty cows are worth a lot less than wagyu beef, which can fetch anywhere from $2500 to $5000 a head.

NSW Police’s Rural Crime Prevention Team investigators have mustered and checked more than 500 cattle as part of their investigation into Eric Fraser. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege the 45 premium cattle were worth $132,000.

Investigators allege Fraser then used a third party to buy 114 of the cattle for himself, ­including the 45 premium ­animals.

Sumo Wagyu Genetics has been in operation for more than 30 years, and describes itself online as “one of the largest embryo transfer operations in Australia”, with its “elite genetics from top-performing animals” shared with wagyu breeders across the globe.

Fraser’s employment there ceased in February, before in March investigators mustered and checked more than 500 head of cattle on properties in Southgate, Elland, Mylneford and Belmore River.

Eric Fraser was charged with more than 20 offences. Picture: Facebook

Genetic testing was carried out on the animals to identify their origins, which established they had come from Sumo, while investigators also seized a genetic liquid nitrogen storage tank which allegedly contained stolen cattle semen, worth up to $100,000.

Police allege Fraser used some of the stolen semen to impregnate a cow.

Investigators allege that during their search of a property at Southgate in March, they ordered Fraser to get a veterinarian to treat six ill wagyu bulls.

They claim he engaged a vet – a 48-year-old Grafton man – who allegedly produced false documentation of providing care to the cattle but in fact did not, and two of them died.

The vet was arrested at his surgery on June 23 and taken to Grafton Police Station where he was charged with commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal, being in charge of an animal fail to provide vet treatment, and do act intending to pervert the course of justice.

He was granted bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on August 11.

The next day, Fraser was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, two counts of steal cattle, three counts of take and use others’ cattle, six counts of steal property as clerk/servant, commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal, do act intending to pervert the course of justice, three counts fail to comply with mandatory measures.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on August 4.