Autumn sales showcase strong market demand for Australian Wagyu genetics

The recent Wagyu sales in Australia have demonstrated the robustness of the market and the unwavering interest in this premium breed. The Elite Wagyu Sale, Bar H Grazing Sale, Mayura, Robbins Island and Tumbledown showcased exceptional genetics and drew buyers from around the world, resulting in remarkable sales figures.

Elite Wagyu Sale

The 2023 Elite Wagyu Sale, held in partnership with Ray White Rural Dalby, took place during the WagyuEdge'23 conference, an extravagant event that took patrons and guests of the Australian Wagyu Association on a scenic cruise around Sydney Harbour aboard the 'Starship Sydney.' The event, attended by 600 participants as well as online buyers, proved to be a resounding success, grossing a total of $2.6 million . This impressive result is a testament to the continued confidence in the entire Wagyu sector.

Dr. Matt McDonagh, CEO of the Australian Wagyu Association, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that it validates the hard work of top Wagyu breeders who consistently utilize powerful genetic improvement tools to produce the leading Wagyu seedstock in the world. With 48 vendors offering 70 remarkable lots, the Elite Wagyu Sale garnered interest from buyers worldwide. The unique setting of the sale, in the middle of Sydney Harbour, created an electrifying atmosphere that will be remembered by all in attendance.

The focus of the 2023 Elite Wagyu Sale was on rare Wagyu genetics, presenting animals that represent the pinnacle of Wagyu genetics in categories such as carcass quality, growth, and maternal traits. The AWA plays a crucial role in delivering leading Wagyu genetic information to over 1,000 breeders globally, contributing to a truly global gene pool.

Females:

19 out of 22 lots sold, achieving an impressive 86% clearance.

The average sale price for females was $56,789, with the top-selling lot (Lot 15) fetching an astonishing $250,000.

Semen:

All 15 lots of semen were sold, achieving a 100% clearance rate.

The average price per straw was $4,770, with the top-selling straw (Lot 29) reaching $13,000.

Bulls:

17 out of 18 lots of bulls were sold, resulting in a 94% clearance rate.

The average sale price for bulls was $46,588, and the highest bid went to Lot 43, which sold for $160,000.

Embryos:

10 out of 11 embryo lots were sold, achieving a strong clearance rate of 91%.

The average price per embryo was $6,890, with Lot 62A commanding the highest price of $20,000 per embryo.

Bar H Grazing

The Bar H Grazing Annual Wagyu Sale was held on the 19th of May 2023. Bar H Grazing, renowned pioneers, and influencers of the Wagyu breed in Australia for over three decades, showcased their superior genetics and commitment to excellence in this remarkable event.

The Bar H Grazing Sale was a resounding success , witnessing a complete clearance of 173 Wagyu females and progeny. Vendors Percy, Sandra, and Que Hornery, along with the Bar H Grazing team, demonstrated their dedication to data recording and genetic focus, resulting in the exceptional quality of the animals presented.

This outstanding sale generated a gross of $774,750, with an impressive average price of $4,667 per lot, reflecting the high demand and value placed on Bar H Grazing's genetics.

The highlight of the sale was the top-selling lot, a PTIC cow (BARFN2270) and calf (BAR22T5534), which sold for a remarkable price of $37,000. BARFN2270 boasts impressive EBV's, ranking in the top 25% for 200-day weight and 400 - day weight, as well as the top 20% for 600-day weight.

Warren Hunter of Epson, Queensland, secured this elite lot with the winning bid. We extend our congratulations to the Bar H Grazing team and the successful buyers for their commitment to advancing the Wagyu breed and recognizing the exceptional genetics presented at the Bar H Grazing Annual Wagyu Sale. >>>

Notable highlights from the Bar H Grazing Sale include: Nine Wagyu PTIC cows sold to a top price of $25,000 for N2201, purchased by the Cant Family Trust, with an average price of $11,889.

Five fullblood Wagyu PTIC cow and calf lots reached a top price of $37,000 and averaged an impressive $27,600. 17 fullblood Wagyu Fullblood open heifers achieved a top price of $11,000 for 22T4123, acquired by Sean Dillon of Surbiton Station, Alpha. The average price for these lots was $5,941.

45 purebred Wagyu PB open heifers averaged $3,833 and peaked at $4,500 per head for a pen of five open heifers, purchased by the Tim Kirkwood Family Trust. 65 Wagyu F3 open heifers averaged $3,038, with a top price of $3,500 per head for a pen of five open heifers, secured by the Zahl family of Springsure. 25 Wagyu F2 open heifers averaged $2,350, with a top price of $3,000 per head for a pen of five open heifers, sold to Twin Hills Cattle Company.

Mayura

The highly anticipated Mayura Station High Performance Production Sale was held on the 13th of April 2023. This year marked the 4th Annual Sale by the de Bruin family and their talented team at Mayura, and it showcased a remarkable line‑up of elite Wagyu genetics

The Mayura Station High Performance Production Sale presented a diverse offering, featuring 9 exceptional bulls and 26 impressive heifers. The selection process for these animals was meticulous, considering three crucial factors: phenotype, proven carcass performance, and genomic analysis. Mayura's key replacement breeding cattle are directly chosen from progeny testing and carcass data, ensuring the highest quality of genetics for Mayura's international beef clients. Mayura's breeding herd is renowned for its large frame, early maturity, fertility, growth, and efficiency traits.

The highlight of the sale was the top-selling lot, ADBFS0115 MAYURA S0115 (Mayura Rampage), a PTIC female that fetched an impressive price of $86,000. The female sexed foetus is sired by WSIFM0256, imported from Wagyu Sekai Canada and the earliest expected birth is the 28th of August 2023. This exceptional female represents the pinnacle of Mayura's breeding program.

The average price for females in the sale was a remarkable $27,346, reflecting the desirability and value of the offerings.

The top-selling bull was ADBFS2581 MAYURA STALLONE S2581, which brought a noteworthy price of $74,000. Mayura STALLONE combines some of the most powerful genetics in the Wagyu industry and is poised to become a superstar.

The average bull price achieved an impressive $48,556, indicative of the exceptional quality and demand for Mayura's superior genetics.

Overall, the Mayura Station High Performance Production

Sale was a great success, with a total sale earnings of $1,148,000. This achievement is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and commitment of the de Bruin family and the entire Mayura team.

Robins Island

The Robbins Island Wagyu Genetic Auction, held on the 5th of April online at Auctions Plus. The Hammond family, consisting of fourth-generation cattle farmers John, Keith, Alex, and Chauncey Hammond, have dedicated themselves to breeding Wagyu at Robbins Island since the early 1990s. Renowned for their high-quality cattle, the Robbins Island Wagyu are raised naturally and sustainably on lush pastures, without the use of supplements or hormones.

The auction proved to be a success, with a total of $427,725 earned from the sale of semen straws and embryos . The highlight of the auction was Lot 1, featuring semen from WORLD K'S SHIGESHIGETANI 1593, which fetched an impressive price of $5,100 per straw. This prized sire is known for producing tall, long, and thick cattle with excellent temperaments. Semen from Shigeshigetani is hard to come by.

Similarly, the embryos from Lot 53 and 54, comprising of eight USAFB19369 x JKCFK0852 embryos, sold for a top price of $6,750 per embryo. These embryos represent a triple cross of Yasufuku J930 with Kitaguni 7/8 infusion, showcasing the potential for exceptional marbling, growth, and large ribeyes, particularly with the highly regarded sire Yasukane 5, who recently achieved an MIJ marble score exceeding 19.

Tumbledown Wagyu

The Tumbledown Stud Bull Sale, held in Glen Innes on May 3rd, recorded impressive sales totalling $496,300

The auction showcased some of the finest performing Wagyu genetics in Australia, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the Tumbledown family over the past 25+ years. Their unwavering commitment to refining balanced traits such as high marbling and carcass weight has yielded exceptional results. Their efforts have consistently produced animals ranking in the top 5% of Estimated Breeding Values within the Australian Wagyu Herd.

Among the notable highlights of the sale was the top-selling bull, MPLFS7560 TUMBLEDOWN S7560, which sold for $28,000. This bull exemplifies the superior quality and genetic potential that Tumbledown Stud offers. The average bull price achieved at the sale stood at $12,606, resulting in a total bull sales revenue of $416,000.

Thirty Heifers and ten semen straws were also featured in the sale, contributing to a total of $80,300 in sales.

The Tumbledown Stud Bull Sale served as a testament to the family's dedication to breeding excellence and their ability to produce highly sought-after Wagyu genetics in Australia's market.