The stud is carried out in the Northern Tablelands of N.S.W. The Academy Cattle Company was established in 1980 by Barbara Roberts-Thomson, who was a renowned breeder of Herefords and Poll Herefords for over 25 years. Barbara’s curiosity was peaked when she first heard of Wagyu cattle having the best meat quality; with more tender, juicy and better tasting meat containing Omega 3 fat and Omega 6 f
atty acids, which are beneficial to our health. The first Wagyu cow was purchased in 1998 and a gradual transition from Herefords to Wagyus was made as the performance of these truly efficient and problem-free cattle was realised. A herd of top quality black Wagyus was built up over 12 years and in 2010 the stud was sold to Hughes Pastoral, a large scale commercial Wagyu operation in Northern Australia. Hughes Pastoral acquired a property near Armidale, in order to establish their own breeding enterprise and Barbara was employed to conduct and manage their genetic work. The Academy Cattle Company also started breeding Red Wagyu in 2003, carrying on with the Red genetics and is currently conducting some experimental work with high Tajima Red Wagyu cattle and Poll Red Wagyus.
