Latest news with #wagyu
ABC News
27-06-2025
- ABC News
Police muster cattle in fraud investigation over stolen wagyu embryos
The police rural crime team mustered more than 500 cattle on the NSW north coast as part of an investigation into stolen wagyu cows. Police have arrested a 34 year old man, alleged to have stolen purebred embryos and semen from his employer. Supplied: NSW Police Media
ABC News
27-06-2025
- ABC News
Wagyu embryos, semen and cattle recovered after alleged fraud in NSW
A stolen liquid nitrogen tank filled with wagyu cattle semen worth $100,000 has been recovered in an alleged case of modern-day cattle rustling. Police have charged Eric Keddie Fraser in Grafton, New South Wales, with more than 20 offences including the alleged theft of the highly valuable genetic material at a wagyu cattle farm in the state's north. The charges also relate to the allegedly fraudulent purchase of cattle from the man's employer at a bargain price. Inspector Cameron Whiteside from the NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team said the charges followed a year-long investigation. "In early 2024 .. strike force Newbury [was established] following allegations of fraud and stolen genetics from a wagyu cattle farm in Grafton," he said. "Following extensive inquiries which resulted in the execution of search warrants this year in March and April in the Grafton area and other locations around the state, police executed a total of seven search warrants. Mr Fraser, 34, is accused by police of deceitfully obtaining nearly $100,000 in profits in a clandestine deal involving cattle belonging to his employer. After he was asked by his employer to sell 200 cattle, police allege Mr Fraser covertly purchased 114 animals for himself, including 45 full-blood wagyu cattle at a greatly reduced price, concealing his involvement by using a third party to conduct the sale. "Police will allege that the man sold 45 full-blood wagyu cows and heifers as part of a sale contrary to his employer's direction," Inspector Whiteside said. In March, police mustered more than 500 cattle as part of the investigation and searched properties in Southgate, Elland, Mylneford and Belmore River. At one property, police recovered a genetic liquid nitrogen storage tank containing allegedly stolen cattle semen. Mr Fraser was arrested at Grafton Police Station on Tuesday and charged with 20 offences in relation to the alleged fraud. They include dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, stealing cattle and aggravated animal cruelty offences. Demand for premium Australian wagyu beef remains high across international markets, fetching as much as $450 per kilo in some cases. A Grafton veterinarian was also charged with animal cruelty offences after police encountered six sick wagyu bulls during a search of a Southgate property in March. After being instructed to seek treatment for the animals, police allege the 34-year-old hired a veterinarian who produced fake documents instead of providing care. A 48-year-old man was arrested at a Grafton veterinary clinic after two Wagyu bulls allegedly died. Both men have been granted bail to appear in Grafton Local Court in August.
The Guardian
27-06-2025
- The Guardian
Australian man charged with cattle theft after $100,000 load of bull semen found
Bull semen worth $100,000 is part of a haul of allegedly stolen wagyu cattle uncovered by police in regional Australia. A 34-year-old man from Grafton, in northern New South Wales, faces 20 charges including cattle theft and obtaining financial advantage after allegedly stealing more than 100 cattle from his employer. A vet allegedly contacted by the 34-year-old also faces animal cruelty charges for failing to provide treatment to some of his cattle. The cattleman was asked by his boss to sell 200 cattle, but is accused of arranging to sell 114 of the animals, including 45 valuable full-blood wagyu cows, to himself in January 2024. Det Ch Insp Cameron Whiteside, from the NSW police rural crime prevention team, said a rural crime police unit, codenamed Strike Force Newbury, had been investigating the alleged fraud for more than a year. He said police 'conservatively' estimated the value of each cow at about $3,000. Police allege the sale led to a discount of almost $100,000 after the man bought the herd through a third-party at a greatly reduced price. A search warrant allegedly uncovered a liquid nitrogen storage tank containing the bull semen. Whiteside said the semen was worth about $100,000, due to the value of wagyu beef. 'We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. But that's just on face value,' he said. 'Then you've got to look at the future benefit, or the breeding capabilities of that stock also.' Embryos for breeding were also part of the alleged haul. After searching the 34-year-old's property, police allegedly told him to seek treatment from a veterinarian for six wagyu bulls. Police say the vet produced false documents saying he had treated the cattle without doing so and two of the bulls later died. The vet has been charged with committing an aggravated act of animal cruelty and failing to provide vet treatment. He was granted bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on 11 August. Det Ch Insp Whiteside said there were several moving parts to a complex investigation, which required the assistance of five horse-mounted police to execute warrants and specialist rural crime police from across the state. Aside from two primary investigators, officers from New England, Dubbo and southern NSW also assisted. Whiteside described the alleged offending as 'quite complex'. The 34-year-old is charged with 20 offences including cattle theft, animal cruelty and obtaining financial advantage by deception. He was also granted bail to appear at Grafton Local Court on 4 August.
Arab News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘UPPER' – burger spot in Jeddah
Located in the Al-Zahra District of Jeddah, UPPER is a burger spot that focuses on a small menu built around quality ingredients and generous portions. While the menu is limited, the flavors are solid, and the casual setting makes it a decent option for those who enjoy burgers. The wagyu beef burgers are the main draw. Served on a pretzel bun with either white or yellow cheese, the patties are juicy and well-prepared. The yellow cheese burger sticks to familiar toppings like iceberg lettuce, grilled onions, and a standard sauce. The white cheese version offers a slightly different mix with baby rocca, onion jam, Dijon pepper sauce, and goat's cheese. Chicken options include both crispy and grilled versions. The crispy ones — including zesty and chipotle — come with American cheese and a mildly spicy sauce. The grilled chicken burger is lighter, with Emmental cheese and ranch dressing. Among the sides, the grilled corn with spiced sour cream sauce stands out, and the fries are crisp and satisfying. Lamb chops are also on the menu, but they feel more like an add-on than a core item. Desserts like tiramisu and molten chocolate cake are straightforward and familiar. House-made sauces like the smoky chipotle mayo and zesty lemon sauce add a nice touch. For more, check the location's Instagram @
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I went to Sutton's LA Café, but calling it a ‘café' doesn't do it justice anymore
There are places you visit once, and there are places you return to again and again because they keep surprising you. LA Café is firmly in the second category. I've been there several times since I first discovered it last March, and each time I visit, the expectations are a little higher. Somehow, they always manage to meet them. Just before their fourth anniversary, I stopped by again, and once again, I left impressed. It was a warm Friday just before noon when I dropped in, ready for something light but satisfying. I ordered a peach and lemon iced tea, expecting the usual chilled drink to keep me cool. (Image: Ezekiel Bertrand) What I got instead was something that made me pause. It was crisp and delicate, a perfect balance of soft peach and sharp citrus. Not too sweet, not too sharp, and far from artificial. Just clean, refreshing and exactly what I needed. I've had plenty of iced teas before, but this one really stood out. The word "refreshing" gets thrown around too easily, but here it applies in the truest sense - it reset my mood for the day. At LA Café, the specials change every single day; that's one of the things I admire most. You never know what's coming, but whatever it is, it's always worth trying. That day's special was a wagyu beef burger with seasoned chips, served with truffle and hollandaise. (Image: Ezekiel Bertrand) I'll be honest - I had no idea what wagyu even was. Ankur, who's as friendly as ever, explained it to me. Wagyu is a Japanese breed of beef known for its high level of marbling and rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavour. It's not the sort of thing you expect to find in a local café. But that's exactly the point: calling LA Café a café doesn't do it justice anymore. Yes, the word is still in the name, but this place has evolved into something more. With its ever-changing menu, high-quality ingredients and thoughtful presentation, it feels much more like a bistro. It's casual but ambitious, and local but impressive. The burger itself was one of the best I've had in a long time. I took a photo first, of course, but ten minutes later, the plate was empty. The beef was juicy and rich, the bun held its shape without overwhelming the filling, and the hollandaise added a silky finish I didn't know a burger could benefit from. It wasn't messy or overloaded, just well-constructed and satisfying from start to finish. The chips were golden, crisp on the outside, and fluffy inside. The seasoning gave them life, and the drizzle of truffle and hollandaise added a layer of indulgence without making them too heavy. They didn't go cold, they didn't get soggy, and I didn't leave a single one behind. One of my favourite things at LA Café is the set of little squeezy bottle sauces they leave on each table. I always go for the chilli one. I physically can't eat a dry chip, and this sauce saves me every time. It's warm rather than fiery, smooth rather than overpowering, and it cuts through the richness of the chips beautifully. I'm convinced it would make even the plainest plate of fries worth finishing. By the end of the meal, I was full for the rest of the day. Not in a weighed-down, regret-my-lunch kind of way, but in a comfortably full. It's a rare feeling to leave a lunch spot feeling like you got everything you wanted without anything overdone. That's what keeps me coming back to LA Café. There's a standard here that never slips. Whether it's a quick visit for a drink or a full plate special, everything feels considered. The team know what they're doing, the menu stays exciting, and the food always lands exactly where it should. As they head into their fourth year, it's clear that this place has outgrown its original label. The word 'café' may still sit above the door, but this is a bistro through and through. It's rooted in Sutton but would hold its own anywhere. It continues to surprise me in the best way, and I already know I'll be back sooner than I should be.
