The Australian tour begins today in the Hunter Valley with 57 people travelling to 22 Devon stud properties in NSW from England, Brazil, New Zealand, USA and Australia.

Loma Wright of Benoak Devon stud, ‘Oaklands’ Grahams Valley has played a critical role in coordinating the events and will have her family’s breeding cows on show when the tour reaches the district on Monday.

Mrs Wright runs the property with her husband Paul and son and daughter-in-law Greg and Joanne. She said the breed, also known as red rubies, used to be common in the area.

“Devon is an old British breed that used to be common around this area. Many people in the cattle industry have some kind of background in (the breed),” she said.

“We have 600 breeders on our property and half of them are pure bred. The remainder are crossed with either Angus or South Devon.”

The Devon World Conference takes place every four years with the last time it took place in Australia being 1988. The visitors will travel on a 16 day tour around the state that includes lectures at the University of New England and a conference in Port Macquarie as well as trips to the 22 properties on the program.

The Benoak Devons will be on show at the ‘Oaklands’ property on the Maybole Road at 11am on Monday with speakers providing further background into the breed. Members of the general public are encouraged to attend whether they be Devon enthusiasts or people who are simply interested in learning more.