www.guardianonline.co.nz
ADVERTISING FEATURE
9
Wagyu, an autumn income option Dairy farmers wanting to spread their risk and their income source have been driving strong inquiry for Firstlight Wagyu genetics this season. Firstlight Wagyu supply manager Peter Keeling says the company is well on track to meet its targets for both straw semen and bulls to supply dairy farmers for winter and spring mating programmes. “We are finding dairy farmers are keen to look at alternative income sources they can earn within their existing dairying business,” he says. “Crossing cows and/or heifers with Wagyu genetics ticks all the right boxes for them. They can lock in a high value four-day-old calf with a guaranteed buyer, at a premium that makes them a lot more appealing than the traditional bobby calf,” he says. Farmers can expect to be paid $200 per mixed sex AI calf, and $150 per naturally mated calf. They also have the option of rearing them to 90kg, and receiving up to $550 a head. The easy calving
Firstlight Wagyu supply manager Peter Keeling with Wagyu cross calves.
characteristics of Wagyu also add to the appeal for farmers wanting an option to traditional breeds when mating their heifers for the first time. From a marketing perspective the union between Firstlight Wagyu and dairy farmers is also a good match. Firstlight has found that
both Friesian-cross Jersey and Friesian dairy breeds can produce high quality marbled beef, and mating them with Wagyu sires provides an excellent source of highmarbling beef for which the breed is renowned. Firstlight director Gerard Hickey says market demand
for Firstlight grass-fed Wagyu is gaining momentum every year as the brand continues to quietly establish itself at the premium end of the world beef market. “We now have our own global sales force in place, with staff in the United Arab Emirates, California, Paris and
the United Kingdom.” In the United States, a strong beef market for NZ beef generally, Firstlight has developed its own niche with a loyal following in top end retail chains in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Shoppers are reaching out for the high quality grassfed marbled cuts that appeal to high income earning, environmentally conscious consumers. “Not a week goes by when we don’t have buyers or consumers tell us this is the best beef they have ever tasted. It is easy to market a product as good as this,” says Hickey. Peter Keeling says farmers opting for Firstlight Wagyu have the unique opportunity to participate in a supply chain that is intent on delivering a high value, high quality product - one that tells a genuinely “New Zealand” story with its grass-fed, antibiotic free, high quality brand. To learn more about Firstlight Wagyu call 0800-4-WAGYU (492-498) www.firstlightfoods.co.nz.
Wagyu delivers high value autumn calves - order now!
Wagyu calves will lift your returns. Using Firstlight Wagyu genetics in your dairy herd will deliver high value non replacement calves next autumn. We have Wagyu genetics and bulls available for AI or natural mating.
Contact Firstlight Wagyu pays $200 per mixed sex AI calf, and $150 per naturally mated calf or $550 and $500 if reared to 90kg.
Firstlight Wagyu offers premium payments on all calves - heifers or bulls, from Crossbred or Friesian cows.
M FRO
0800 4 WAGYU (0800 492 498) info@firstlightfoods.co.nz www.firstlightfoods.co.nz
M FRO
5 $19
0 $75
M FRO
5 $12
Tractor seats - wrap around blue or black
Feeders - Good stocks available 1.8m and 2.5m. Good stocks. Check out our special prices.
M FRO
0 $17
Euro Mount Brackets with bar
27 piece AF/Metric 3/4 drive socket sets
126 Dobson Street, Ashburton - Phone: 03 308 2059 | Mobile: 0274 326 847 mcmullanent@xtra.co.nz - www.mcmullanenterprises.com
All prices exclude G.S.T