Estonian Sumo wrestler snaps up Angus heifers

One of the world’s leading professional sumo wrestlers is the latest recruit to the ranks of Aberdeen-Angus breeders.

Estonian, Kaido Hoovelson – who is currently the number two sumo wrestler in the world – has purchased 35 yearling heifers from Scotland as the foundation stock for an Aberdeen-Angus herd on his farm in Estonia.

The heifers have been purchased from the Rosemount herd of Alex and Wendy Sanger at Prettycur, Montrose, Angus, and are due to be shipped to Estonia later this month.

A group of 10 heifers and a bull are also going to Meelis and Piret Marmor of Aberdeen Top Genetics, whose 90-cow Marmorland herd, built up over the past six years on Scottish bloodlines, is now firmly established as the leading Aberdeen-Angus herd in Estonia.

Mr and Mrs Sanger’s 200-cow Rosemount herd was last year named Bank of Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Suckler Herd of the Year. The herd has sold breeding stock to Estonia on three previous occasions and last year sold 37 heifers as part of a 120-strong consignment of heifers from three UK herds exported to Romania.

The Rosemount herd is run on strictly commercial lines selling finished cattle to Scotbeef and under the Glenbervie Aberdeen-Angus beef brand in conjunction with Glenbervie Home Farm, Drumlthie.

Mr and Mrs Marmor founded their Marmorland herd in 2006 with the purchase of 37 heifers and two bulls from Scotland followed by a further 35 heifers from the Rosemount herd in 2007.

The main stock bull, Tonley Black Dart E308, by Darlene Cruz 11F, bred by Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire, has recently been sold on at the age of six years, and has been followed by Wedderlie Elross F202, by Aynho Rossiter Eric D125, bred by John and Marion Tilson, Wedderlie, Gordon, Berwickshire, and purchased last year from Rosemount.