Elders has launched legal action against four of the seven live export division managers who recently resigned from the company to join rival Ruralco.

The Age newspaper in Melbourne reported yesterday that the company has told the Victoria’s Supreme Court that the defection of its live cattle trading team to Ruralco has threatened its live cattle business with “irreparable harm”, with one major Indonesian customer advising that it is now considering buying its cattle elsewhere.

The Age said the company has asked the court “to stop the traders poaching clients and to require them to return confidential information”.

The report says Elders has alleged that the four traders targeted – George Last, Ashley James, Vincent Heeran and Mark Odgers – ran up expenses totalling more than $740,000 in nine months this year.

Two of the managers traders told the court it was common practice for other employees to use their cards to book travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

The defendants have been ordered not to approach former Elders clients ahead of a trial, set down for November 25.

Read the yesterday’s story on The Age website here