Agricultural
18 October, 2022
Police warning of online scams when buying Highland cattle
Police have issued a warning to people interested in buying Highland cattle to be aware of online scams and to exercise due diligence before transfer of money for deposits.
Highland cattle have become popular among hobby farmers in recent times due to their unusual and attractive appearance.
Detective Senior Constable Glenn Evans of the Queensland Police Rural Division suggested that because the Highland cattle breed has become popular with people buying small acreage properties and possibly new to buying cattle, scammers have targeted their inexperience.
He said buyers of Highland cattle, like anyone buying online, must do their due diligence in terms of research to be sure the sale is genuine.
One rule for buyers is to buy from registered Highland cattle breeders.
In Queensland there are thirty breeders of Highland cattle but only six of these are commercial breeders.
Keans Agri at Leyburn is a stud that specialises in Highland cattle and is owned and managed by Carolyn and Ian Keans.
Carolyn is the Queensland State Representative of the Highland Cattle Breed Society and offers advise for people buying Highland cattle.
Buying from a registered breeder is the first step and checking NLIS and PIC codes to verify ownership is essential.
Queenslanders buying from NSW or Victorian breeders should engage a veterinarian to examine cattle and a video of cattle is also advised rather than pictures.
Carolyn and Ian work to protect the genetics of Highland cattle by careful breeding and raising ethically sustainable grass fed registered heritage Highland cattle.
When buying anything online, especially boutique cattle at $10,000 per head, Mrs Keans echoed a sentiment that is good to remember: if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
