SCOTLAND is set to be the home of the largest Japanese Wagyu beef production in Europe by the end of 2014 as a Perthshire farm announced a major expansion to its operation on Sunday, July 28th 2013.
Highland Wagyu, owned and run by husband and wife team, Mohsin and Martine Altajir, from Blackford Farms – a 25,000-acre estate situated in Perthshire 0 has acquired the entire herd of 300 Wagyu cattle from David Ismail of Fordel, Glenfarg in Perthshire for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition makes it the UK’s largest producer of Japanese Fullblood Wagyu beef, widely known as the world’s most expensive beef, which is famous for its highly marbled, tender meat that fetches up to £250 a kilo.
The Highland Wagyu herd of 100 Wagyus with 150 in calf – fondly referred to as McWagyu – will be joined by the Fordel herd from next week.
The expanded operation is on course to reach 700 head of cattle by September, 1,000 in the new year and around 1,500 at the end of 2014.
Said Mohsin Altajir: “I believe that Wagyu is the best beef in the world and the future of the beef industry in this country. We will make Scotland the Wagyu centre of Europe.
“The Fordel herd has the ultimate high grade Blackmore genetics from Australia, renowned to be the best outside Japan. David sold us our first 100 per cent Fullblood Wagyu bulls and females to get us started two years ago and it snowballed from there, so we couldn’t let his herd go to anyone else.”
Said Martine Altajir: “Wagyu’s are seen as delicate cattle but they’re flourishing on the Perthshire grassland.
“We feel it’s the best place to breed the animals and we’ve invested in creating the right buildings to house them.
“We’re focusing heavily on breeding fullblood Wagyu using native animals, who make excellent surrogate mothers, but we’ve also started to cross our Wagyu with other breeds on the farm with much success.”
Said David Ismail, of Fordel: “I am happy to see after a lot of dedication that my herd has gone to a family that are truly passionate about the Wagyu breed, and I’m sure Mohsin and Martine will be very successful in their quest to centralise Wagyu breeding in Scotland. I wish them the best of luck.”
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of Highland Wagyu by JK Consultancy. For further information please contact: Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 or email jenny@jkconsultancy.com
NOTES TO EDITOR
- Photographs available on request.
About Highland Wagyu
Highland Wagyu was established in 2011 by husband and wife team, Mohsin and Martine Altajir, at Blackford Farms in Dunblane. Together, they run the Japanese breed, which produces the most expensive beef in the world.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by JK Consultancy. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Jenny Kumar
Phone: 07989557198
Email: jenny@jkconsultancy.com
Website: http://www.jkconsultancy.com
