Issue 62 April 2016

UPDATE

TH E AUSTRALIAN

WAGYU

Vol. 62 The Wagyu industry’s premier trade magazine produced by the Australian Wagyu Association www.wagyu.org.au April 2016

AWA NATIONAL CONFERENCE - YOUR GUIDE TO THE

Wa gyuR e vol u t i on READ MORE ON PAGE 9

INSIDE ....

| WAGYU BREED HOLDS PREMIUM POSITION | REAL WAGYU BENEFITS UNCOVERED WAGYU REVOLUTION CONFERENCE & TOUR | WAGYU SIRE PROGENY TEST PROGRAM ANNOUNCED INDUSTRY INNOVATORS REWARDED | INTERNATIONAL WAGYU DATA SHARE | FUND OF GENETIC ANALYSIS

MAYDAN

FEEDLOT

WARWICK QLD

custom feeding specialists Maydan Feedlot is a privately owned business specialising in tailor made rations to suit all markets.

Our speciality is our expertise in long-term custom feeding of Wagyu cattle. Our major advantages are our perfect climate for long-term feeding and our close proximity to major abattoirs. We also offer livestock transport at competitive prices.

our results for themselves No. 1 STEAK IN THE WORLD

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AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

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EU accredited Japanese Wagyu feeding regime specialists

Maydan Feedlot phone 07 4667 4785 (office) Geoff Willett (owner)

APRIL 2016

phone 07 4661 9600 0408 716 960 (mobile) fax 07 4661 9601 email geoff@maydan.com.au

CONTENTS 4

The Wagyu breed holds premium position

6

real Wagyu benefits are uncovered 9

9

Registrations are increasing as #WagyuRevolution conference could be 'biggest ever'

9

2016 conference highlights

13

Wagyu at work in the Hunter tour

4

highlights and booking details 14

Wagyu Sire Progeny Test Program

22 Feed efficiency impacts profitability

14

28 Industry innovators reaping rewards 32 Wagyu data shared internationally

28

32 Rocky Mountain Wagyu females av. $US 5,988 34 Welcome to our latest team member 36 Global demand being satisfied at Goorambat 41

Database access charges to fund ongoing genetic analysis

42 Australia's first homozygous Wagyu

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Publisher THE AUSTRALIAN WAGYU ASSOCIATION (AWA) office@wagyu.org.au 02 6773 3355

ON THE COVER

Consulting Editor GEOFF PHILLIPS geoffphi@ozemail.com.au 0411 413 599

The Australian Wagyu Update magazine is printed by Litho Art on paper stock derived from sustainable forests that are managed to ensure their renewability and preserve natural eco-systems for generations to come. All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission from the publisher.

Contributing Writers PETER GILMOUR, GRAHAM TRUSCOT T, GEOFF PHILLIPS, CAREL TESELING, AMY LAWSON and ANNABELLE BEALE. Art Direction HEATHER FRAZIER heather@squishcreative.com 0432 949 764 GENERAL ENQUIRIES AWA Marketing and Communications Manager GEOFF PHILLIPS geoffphi@ozemail.com.au 0411 413 599 AWA Chief Executive Officer GRAHAM TRUSCOT T office@wagyu.org.au

02 6773 3355

Wagyu Update advertising enquiries HEATHER FRAZIER heather@squishcreative.com 0432 949 764

The best of the best - real Wagyu benefits to be uncovered at 2016 AWA Conference.

Opinions expressed in The Australian Wagyu Update magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of any product or service by the magazine or the association, nor support any claims by the advertisers. Every effort is made to ensure information contained in this magazine is correct at the time of publishing.

CONNECT WITH US

www.wagyu.org.au twitter.com/AustWagyuAssoc www.facebook.com/AustralianWagyuAssociation

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

THE WAGYU BREED HOLDS PREMIUM POSITION There is no better time to be in the Australian Beef industry and without doubt the Wagyu breed holds the premium position.

Your new council (board) and has been in place for about six months since the 2015 AGM. The chairs of the various sub committees and internally elected Executive Committee were outlined in the last Wagyu Update and the details are available on the AWA website. We are delighted to have two very capable women now on the board, in Junior Vice President - Chantal Winter and Joanne Christensen. This is 20% towards our target of gender equality and we do hope that other women who are keen to participate consider nominating for a potential board position later this year. In this short period we have held 3 board meetings and 15 sub-committee meetings with activities moving ahead at a cracking pace.

Our core role within the board is to guide the organization and set policy consistent with the objectives of the constitution and provide the governance framework to empower and assist the CEO, Graham Truscott, and the AWA team to deliver the annual operational plan and projects for the AWA and it members.

Last year, our CEO Graham Truscott informed the board that he would be retiring from his role with the AWA in June 2017.

We have commenced the CEO succession process of preparing for and identifying a suitable successor to sustain excellence in CEO leadership by ensuring a seamless transfer to take on this role for the future. You will hear more about this in due course as we advertise the position.

There are many initiatives under way to help extract value, promote and drive demand for Wagyu. Through the changes made to the business model of the AWA we have been able to establish much stronger relationships with our members, industry partners and more effectively promote and inform them of the strengths of the Wagyu breed. The finalisation of the strategic plan for the next five years 2016-2020 has provided clear direction to the board and AWA staff, enabling the association to drive demand for Wagyu cattle and a well-defined plan on how to get the job done.

2015 was transformational for Australian Wagyu. AWA hosted two major breed conferences in the one financial year, genetic analysis and description became a reality with new and improved carcase EBV’s (for Marble Score, Marble Fineness, Carcase

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AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

> Peter

Gilmour

President, AWA

Weight and Eye Muscle Area) and the Fullblood Terminal Index, and prices lifted due to the engagement of sales on AuctionsPlus.

In addition, major industry participants began to transform their businesses with Wagyu as a centrepiece of their new strategy.

KEY PROJECTS 2016 looks like being an equally important year for Wagyu with the following key projects under development: ■■

Review of the constitution,

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Wagyu content register,

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Consideration of four new registers,

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Introduction of breeding consultancy services,

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Move to online certificates,

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Dedicated regular Commercial Wagyu Sale on AuctionsPlus,

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Change management plan for website access,

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National Wagyu Conference and tour in the Hunter Valley,

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Branded Beef Competition,

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Sire Progeny Test Program and Sire Competition,

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Breeder Competition,

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Consideration of association naming: Wagyu Australia,

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Launch of Wagyu Services Pty Ltd,

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AWA risk control plan.

It will be particularly important for the CEO and AWA staff to communicate effectively to you the members so you can understand the effect and improvement these proposed changes will make for you and the association.

Many of you would have met our newly appointed Technical Services Manager, Carel Teseling at the AGM and Genetics Workshop. Carel has brought a wealth of knowledge to the Wagyu breed and already created several substantial improvements to systems. We have included Carel in several of our board meetings so that he may comment on the technical nature of projects that are under review for the board.

With our rapid growth, so our staffing must increase for delivery of timely services. We introduced Senior Registrar Sarah Balla and Registration and Finance Assistant Meaghan Truscott last year, and are pleased to welcome Caitlin Berecry as our latest Registrar.

APRIL 2016

Our strong focus on systems improvement and efficiency will continue with the aim of making our member’s registration and data entry easier. We do recognize there are many challenges within the Wagyu supply chain. For example, rapidly increasing prices for the cow/calf producer do not translate to good results for the feedlot industry. Some members within the supply chain are vertically integrated and can deal with price movements. Others service only one small part and importantly we as a board need to be representative of all supply chain members both big and small.

We continue to monitor and consider appropriate measures that could be taken without interfering in free market principles.

The change to an autumn national conference and a smaller spring workshop gathering for the AGM cycle has worked well and will be maintained until Beef Australia 2018. In September, 2017

we are already planning for the five yearly Wagyu Zenkyo (national carcase competition) in Sendai, Japan and details for that member tour will be available soon.

As your board it is our aim to make sure we are reflective of our members needs both now and in the future. On behalf of the AWA board we look forward to meeting members both new and old at the Wagyu Revolution Conference in the Hunter Valley.

Peter Gilmour President, Australian Wagyu Association

ÂŽ

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S DESK

REGISTRATIONS ARE INCREASING AS REAL WAGYU BENEFITS ARE UNCOVERED Growth in Australian Wagyu has been remarkable over the past six to eight month period as the beef industry begins to appreciate the very real benefits offered

by Wagyu in every sector of the supply chain, including premium pricing. Animal registrations jumped 29% and animal transfers a massive 139% for the six month period to end December through intense trading of registered cattle compared to the same period the previous year.

Memberships also grew by 31% across the 12 month period to end December 2015.

CORPORATE

Truscott

Chief Executive Officer, AWA

Wagyu services

MARKETING

The AWA has established a wholly owned

Wagyu Fullblood 100% International Sale – your access to elite genetics

subsidiary company to be known as “Wagyu services” to deliver services which may be considered as being more commercial and having a risk profile beyond that appropriate for the AWA parent not-for-profit company, such as the Wagyu Content Test.

The company is a limited liability for profit company with the same directors as in the AWA Board, with the shares fully owned by the AWA. Consideration of association name

2016 – 2020 Strategic Plan

change to Wagyu Australia

The Strategic Plan for the five year period 2016 to 2020 has been released and is available from the AWA website. This plan is the result of extensive industry analysis through the strategic survey conducted in 2014 and reported to the World Wagyu Conference in 2015. It sets out the vision for Australian Wagyu across the next 10 years and the association across the next 5 years, plus the strategies to deliver the association’s corporate goals across that period. Each strategy will be advanced annually through detailed business plans.

The association was originally named The

Risk control plan

Australia” as a part of the constitution

Identification of risks relevant to the association and strategies to mitigate those risks to an acceptable level is a normal part of corporate management. A risk control plan has been developed using standard corporate risk rating methods and achievable risk mitigation strategies are being undertaken where risk levels are considered to be excessive.

review. This change would also remove

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> Graham

Australian Wagyu Breeders Association.

Recognition that the association represented the broader Wagyu supply chain with all sectors including seedstock, commercial producers, backgrounders, feedlots, wholesalers and retailers, plus the interests of the Wagyu consuming public, caused the name to be shortened to Australian Wagyu Association in 2000.

Further modernisation of the name is being considered by the board to “Wagyu

the current confusion with the American Wagyu Association which also abbreviates its name to “AWA”.

Members are invited to provide feedback on the proposed name change to Wagyu Australia through your board members or to the CEO email graham@wagyu.org.au

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

The annual elite Wagyu Fullblood 100% International Sale has proven highly successful in attracting highest quality fullblood Wagyu seedstock, along with national and international buyers. Many sires and dams in the top 10% of the Wagyu Fullblood Terminal Index will be available for purchase through semen and embryos.

The sale will be held once again at the 2016 Wagyu National Conference and interfaced with AuctionsPlus starting at 1.45 pm on Wednesday 4 May at the Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley, NSW. Seventy entries are catalogued including 10 straws from the world leading MAYURA ITOSHIGENAMI JNR (ADBFA0139) – this is a first time limited edition release of this outstanding bull’s semen outside its breeder’s operations at Mayura Station, South Australia.

Commercial Wagyu AuctionsPlus sale With the rapidly growing demand for all types of Wagyu and crossbred Wagyu breeding and slaughter cattle and the success of AuctionsPlus as a selling platform, the association has worked closely with AuctionsPlus to develop a regular online commercial Wagyu sale.

As a first round, the “Want Wagyu? Sale” in December proved a great success cataloguing 172 lots including 703 head of cattle plus semen and embryos, grossing $1.22 million. Top price for crossbred Wagyu feeder steers was $6.20/kg liveweight or $2414/head.

This sale demonstrated the increased value of focusing fullblood and crossbred Wagyu seedstock and commercial animals and genetics in a single Wagyu-only online commercial sale.

AWA will now begin hosting a bi-monthly commercial Wagyu sale on AuctionsPlus with the first sale scheduled for June 2016. The sale will combine commercial and seedstock breeding animals, and will include semen and embryos.

Terms and conditions include: ■■ All breeding animals to be registered with AWA in the herdbook or Wagyu content register (when available with sufficient lead-time to register) and carry a link to the association’s database pedigree and EBV performance page, ■■

Embryos to carry EBV mid-parent values supplied by the association,

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Feeders for slaughter to be sired by registered Wagyu bulls,

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Commercial feeders for slaughter to be pre-vaccinated for Bovine Respiratory Disease (bovine Rhinotracheitis),

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Animals may be sold individually or in groups with no maximum size,

■■

AWA membership not required (vendors of breeding animals will normally be members through registration. Feeders may be supplied by backgrounders which may not currently be members).

All vendors to be offered membership at normal prices.

AWA will produce a sale catalogue on its website linking to the AuctionsPlus catalogue providing URL links to the AWA database pages for pedigree and performance details.

Standard AuctionsPlus per head fees of $6.50/head for commercial cattle and $12.00/head for seedstock/stud cattle will be charged by AuctionsPlus to the vendors.

The AWA will charge 1% commission on all sales to be collected by the agents and paid to AWA. The sale will be advertised widely by both AWA and AuctionsPlus, with AWA offering an advertising package to members. A special report will be provided to sale participants only - vendors and sellers - as an additional benefit for participation.

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT Wagyu content test and Wagyu content register The genomic Wagyu content test is being fully tested against the genotyped fullblood population and over 300 crossbred Wagyu combinations to ensure it is calculating the percentage of Wagyu content correctly.

There are many animals with Wagyu genomic content in member herds where pedigree cannot be proven through DNA parent verification due to loss of parents, which would be of value to the registered and performance analysed Wagyu gene pool. A Wagyu content register has been under consideration over the past two years during the development of the Wagyu content test. The board has approved the establishment of a Wagyu content register to enable the registration of all types of animals with Wagyu content.

Bylaws for the new register will be: 2.5 content register: ■■

the content register makes provision for the registration of Wagyu influenced animals not eligible for registration in the fullblood or purebred registers.

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it shall be a requirement for the registration of a content register calf that its sire has a DNA profile recorded with AWA at a minimum level to be specified by AWA.

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Prior to registration a hair sample of the animal will be provided to AWA.

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Parent verification of calves will not be required.

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Random parent verification of calves will be conducted at a frequency determined by the board at no cost to the animal owners. Animals found to have an incorrect sire will be deregistered if the correct sire is not identified by the owner at the owner’s cost.

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If no Wagyu content is claimed for a base animal, the breed (or breed combination) of the base animal shall be recorded.

■■

If Wagyu content is claimed for a base animal, a breed content test will be required for the animal.

Animals registered in the content register shall be assigned a percentage breed content calculated from the percentage Wagyu of the sire and dam or results from

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

the Wagyu content test. Programming of the new register is being scheduled with ABRI and is expected to be completed by mid-year, after which members will be invited to use the Wagyu content register.

WAGYU REGISTER RESTRUCTURE The Technical Services Manager has conducted a review of all AWA animal registers and has recommended that the registers be restructured as: fullblood register, purebred register, content register and slaughter register. The board has provided in-principle support for the proposal which will be further developed in a white paper containing more detail for consideration by the genetic improvement committee and board; and distributed to members for feedback.

Registration certificates With the latest 30% rise in mailing charges, more efficient registration certificate production will focus on electronic certificates where: ■■

Printing and mailing of registration certificates will cease and electronic certificates will be emailed to members.

■■

Animal transfers to non-members are to have the registration certificates emailed. Where the non-member does not have an email address, printed certificates are to be mailed.

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Electronic certificates will be stored in the ABRI Internet Solutions (I4) Member Login area. Certificates can be retrieved and printed by a member at any time.

■■

Official AWA registration certificates can be ordered for mail delivery at $10.00 per certificate.

WAGYU CONSULTANCY SERVICES Technical consulting Release of the Wagyu genetic analysis with EBVs and indexes on over 80,000 registered Wagyu seedstock animals has enabled much greater access to Wagyu genetics coupled with increased selection pressure. Strategic breeding is now possible, particularly using the Advanced MateSel software licenced by AWA for optimised mating performance and inbreeding management. >> see page 8

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S DESK

Registrations are increasing as real wagyu benefits are uncovered Continued from page 7

To further drive genetic improvement a technical consultancy service has been established, led by the Technical Services Manager. The service will be limited to breeding advice and will not include financial or nutritional services.

Individual members may purchase the consultancy services of the Technical Services Manager at the rate of $1500 per day or $200 per hour plus travel and accommodation expenses at cost.

Advanced MateSel will be charged at $200 per five runs of where this tool is required, covering AWA licencing fees.

Registrar data management consulting Initial technical consultancy trials have indicated a subsequent demand for data management services to sort out animal data; and identify and load animals for registration with associated performance data for Wagyu BREEDPLAN analysis.

This on-farm and office service will be developed and offered by the AWA Registrars under the Technical Services Manager’s supervision, at the rate of $750 per day plus travel and accommodation expenses at cost.

The registrar data management consultancy services will also be offered to members where animals are submitted for registration without the standard entry formats and/or requiring extensive registrar resources to sort out pedigrees and DNA parent verifications.

Members submitting poor quality registration data may elect to have the registrars sort out the problems at the rate of $750 per day or $100 per hour, or have the submitted data returned to themselves for resolution. Members considering these consultancy services should contact: Carel Teseling Technical Services Manager

FINANCIAL POSITION The Financial position to 31st January 2016 (unaudited) indicated: NET INCOME of $27,665 which is $100,546 above budget YTD. NET ASSETS of $577,314 and a decrease in NET ASSETS compared to the same time in the previous year of $35,511 or 6%.

Principally due to the previous year having conducted the 2014 conference and was preparing for the 2015 World Wagyu Conference, all in the one financial year and providing additional financial assets.

CASH AT THE END OF THE PERIOD of $465,548 with a NET CASH decrease of $32,063 since the start of this period. Principally due to the cash drain of the Wagyu Collaborative Genetics Research Project funding arrangements with the MLA donor company.

DEBTOR MANAGEMENT The association invoices members for services and requires payment strictly within 30 days of invoice. While it is appreciated that many members make their payments within the 30 day period, a significant number use the association as a “bank”, letting payments drift well outside that period. This makes cash flow a problem as AWA must also service its debts as and when they fall due.

To better manage this situation the board has approved new Policies and Procedures for Debtor Management which require: ■■

Invoiced debt to be paid within 30 days,

■■

A debtor administration fee to be applied to debts exceeding 30 days of 2% per month.

30 DAY PAYMENT - Members are requested to pay all invoices within the 30 day period to prevent AWA having to apply the debtor administration fee. If you are having financial difficulties please discuss payment options with the CEO. Graham Truscott CEO, Australian Wagyu Association

02 6773 4222 0439 368 283 carel@wagyu.org.au

Data sharing agreement In May 2015 the newly established World Wagyu Congress resolved to encourage the sharing of data between Congress members in a number of areas.

The Australian Wagyu Association is providing membership, registration and genetic analysis services to the British Wagyu Breeders Association under contract.

The American Wagyu Association has actively sought to share information with Australia. Consequently a data sharing agreement has been developed between these parties to share pedigrees, genetic conditions, genotypes and joint genetic analysis.

Systems for enabling this sharing will be developed by ABRI.

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EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN WAGYU NEWS

# WagyuRevolution

CONFERENCE COULD BE ‘BIGGEST EVER’ The 2016 Wagyu National conference May 2 to 4, themed the #WagyuRevolution, has attracted national and international interest and could possibly be the biggest Wagyu event ever held in Australia.

The wide array of speakers and presenters will reveal exciting developments as the breed continues to grow and consolidate its place as a major segment of the Australian beef cattle industry.

The conference has attracted a wide range of delegates including many who have

been involved in the breed since it arrived in Australian in the 1990s, many who have become involved in recent years and a big body of producers and industry service personnel keen to investigate the Wagyu industry’s business opportunities.

The venue is the spectacular award winning Crowne Plaza resort near Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley, 64kms west of Newcastle Airport. A post conference tour on May 5 and 6 will visit four substantial Wagyu operations in the Hunter Valley.

2016 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS WELCOMING COCKTAIL PARTY

Dr Stephen Smith of Texas A & M

THE HEALTHINESS OF WAGYU BEEF ... a conference coup In a conference coup, the world’s leading researcher on the ‘healthiness’ of marbled Wagyu beef, Dr Stephen Smith of Texas A & M, will present his latest findings which indicate Wagyu beef contains extraordinary amounts of monounsaturated ‘healthy’ oleic acid and this increases with marbling and days on feed. This is a ‘not to be missed’ presentation of interest to the whole Wagyu supply chain.

PRE-CONFERENCE BONUS SESSION Added bonus - an afternoon session has been added on Monday May 2 commencing at 2pm, to cover issues critical to the efficient and profitable breeding of Wagyu cattle. This will cover the Wagyu specific MateSel genetic selection system, how to prepare and submit recording data and the prevention and treatment of scours to save valuable calves. Efficient on-farm data collection and how the collection and testing of DNA samples is conducted at UQ. This session is of use to producers considering joining the Wagyu industry, those new to the industry and even to those more experienced operators. Arrive early, attend this session and then move on to the welcoming cocktail party. A great way to start the conference.

The traditional welcoming cocktail party will be held on Monday evening May 2 starting at 6pm. The conference program gets underway on Tuesday May 3 at 8.30am.

MLA BOSS TALKS ABOUT QUALITY BEEF The place of high quality beef in Australia’s beef industry will be discussed by MLA’s managing director Richard Norton.

CROSS BREEDING & RECORDING IN THE NORTH Many on the 2015 Queensland tour said they would like to hear more from Darren Hamblin from Middlemount about his unique recording system, his cross breeding program and the way he deals with horns.

NEW MOVES AT ROBBINS ISLAND Tasmania’s Robbins Island Wagyu herd holds a fascination through its unique management practices. The new generation at Robbins Island, Alex Hammond, will explain how it operates, their moves to genetically remove horns and the progress of a new Wagyu beef brand.

AUS-MEAT DESCRIPTIONS The Wagyu Association has been active in putting a strong case for the new AUS-MEAT language to better describe and identify Wagyu in the production chain and to have access to AUS-MEAT’s Wagyu data to assist in breed improvement. Alex Ball from the MLA will explain the latest developments.

2016 CONFERENCE

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

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2016 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

HOW TO SWITCH TO WAGYU

AWA’s CEO Graham Truscott and Technical Services Manager Carel Teseling will share a presentation on technical advancements resulting in the number of Wagyu animals carrying marbling and marbling fineness EBVs jumping from around 7,000 to a staggering 78,000 plus.

How does this affect genetic selection?

Some cattle producers eventually reach a breed switch point. Fourth generation cattle producer, Steve Binnie, has made his switch - to Wagyu.

He will explain why and how he has increased numbers from a handful of Wagyu in 2015 to over 1,000 Wagyu calves on the ground in 2016.

HOW TO BREED AND SELL BULLS The Wagyu breed is experiencing extraordinary demand for Wagyu bulls and members need to become efficient producers of quality bulls. To explain what it takes to breed, prepare and market bulls will be leading Hereford bull breeder Marc Greening of Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW. At his 2016 on-property sale, Marc sold 91 bulls for $876,500 with a top of $110,000.

His Poll Hereford bulls averaged $9,933 and the Herefeord bulls $6,899. This has been one of the best results for any breed in 2016.

THE AUCTIONSPLUS #WagyuRevolution There is no doubt AuctionsPlus is made for Wagyu. The breed has become an industry talking point over since mid-2105 when Wagyu and Wagyu cross cattle started selling for up to $6/kg live on AuctionsPlus. CEO Anna Speer will explain how Wagyu is such a neat fit with this online selling system and why AuctionsPlus chose to run a Wagyu specific sale.

FEEDLOT PROGENY TEST INCLUDES NFI DISCOVERY At this session AWA’s Carel Teseling and Kerwee Feedlot’s Steve Martin will explain this latest performance testing innovation for Wagyu, the first time a commercial feedlot has conducted Net Feed Efficiency trials.

The program will identify Wagyu sires of high genetic merit and the many other benefits will be revealed for Wagyu breeders who enter progeny of sires. A session for those serious breeders who want to fast track genetic improvement with financial rewards for those with the highest performing sires.

PADDOCK TO PLATE EXPERIENCE Victorian couple Nick and Vicki Sher of Sher Wagyu, Ballan, have been in Wagyu since 1991 and were awarded life membership of the Australian Wagyu Association in 2015. They’ve seen the ups and downs of the industry and have built their business to the stage where they are exporting Sher Wagyu to 14 countries.

They will explain how to develop and manage a family run paddock to plate business.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WAGYU/FEEDLOT PARTNERSHIP ... a Q&A session A successful partnership between Wagyu genetics and the feedlot industry is critical to the production of healthy beef with high eating quality. A Q&A session, so successful at the 2015 conference, will be on again this time with moderator Chantal Winter who is now carefully selecting a panel that will challenge and enlighten the audience. Australia’s leading Wagyu feeders are on this panel.

GALA DINNER ON AGAIN The Gala Dinner, Charity Auction and the Branded Beef Competition award announcements remain important parts of the program.

WAYGU SALE ON AGAIN

LIVE ONLINE AUCTION

4 MAY 2016

... many lots in top 10% The Wagyu 100% Fullblood Wagyu International Sale on the afternoon of Wednesday May 4 will be a live auction with bidding available online through AuctionsPlus. There are 70 lots on offer with 26% of the live animals and semen and 44% of the sires and dams of the embryos in the Top 10% of the Fullblood Terminal Index.

2016 CONFERENCE

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AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

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WAGYU AT WORK IN THE HUNTER NEWS

2016 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS WAGYU AT WORK IN THE HUNTER ... post conference tour Following the success of the 2015 Queensland tour, a two day tour will visit four significant Wagyu operations in the Hunter region. Departing from Crowne Plaza on Thursday morning May 5, returning in the evening, May 6.

Host properties are: Kuro Kin Wagyu host - Peter Bishop Kuro Kin has topped the conference sale for the past two years and has developed a bull breeding and marketing program.

Delta Wagyu host - Steve Binnie Four generations of Binnies have successfully produced cattle in the Hunter Valley and have now made the switch to Wagyu.

Killara Feedlot host - Elders owned, managed by Tony Fitzgerald Custom feeds Wagyu.

Jacks Creek Wagyu host - the Warmoll family Visit the producer of the ‘World’s Best Steak’.

TOUR ACCOMMODATION for Thursday evening May 5 in Tamworth is included in the tour fee. All other accommodation is the responsibility of the attendee to book and pay. n 2016 CONFERENCE

MORE INFO ABOUT CONFERENCE & TOUR Visit the Wagyu website for the latest conference information or follow the official conference CONFERENCE INFO www.wagyu.org.au hashtag #WagyuRevolution

ACCOMMODATION An excellent array of accommodation is being held for the Wagyu Conference at Crowne Plaza at special Wagyu Conference rates. Options include single or twin/double rooms and two and three bedroom apartments with two bathrooms.

The apartments offer excellent value. But book as soon as possible as bookings are heavy.

Book accommodation direct with Crowne Plaza now using the Block Code AWC to access the Australian Wagyu Conference block booking rates. The preferred booking option is via the direct link resweb.passkey.com/go/AustWagyu2016 website www.crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au phone

+ 61 (0)2 4991 0970

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AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

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www.wagyu.org.au

13

WAGYU SIRE PROGENY

TEST PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Kerwee Lot Feeders has established the Australian beef industry’s first commercially available Net Feed Intake (NFI) testing facility.

Kerwee will be able to supply a service providing individual animal feeding performance using the GrowSafe feeding technology in a competitive custom feeding environment.

WAGYU SIRE PROGENY TEST PROGRAM The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) in association with Kerwee Lot Feeders Pty Ltd is excited to announce the establishment of a Wagyu Sire Progeny Test Program including Net Feed Intake assessment.

The program will aim to prove out Wagyu sires with high genetic merit. Members will be invited to provide weaned progeny (calves) of sires for feedlot finishing including Net Feed Intake testing and subsequent slaughter. Once established, the program will actively target the testing and slaughter of progeny from young, high indexing sires to verify the quality of those sires at an early age.

Their subsequent use will shorten the generation interval, helping to increase the rate of genetic improvement in the Australian Wagyu population.

value (EBV) will be developed by the Association after collection of some 3000 NFI records, enabling genetic selection for feed efficiency.

In a first for the Australian beef industry, Kerwee Feedlot will offer GrowSafe feed bin technology in a commercial feed yard environment. This will measure Net Feed Intake (NFI) to determine individual feed efficiencies so necessary for the cost effective feeding of long-fed Wagyu cattle. Kerwee Feedlot is located at Jondaryan on the south east of Queensland’s Darling Downs. Two production pens have been fitted with GrowSafe feeders with each pen capable of feeding 90 head. So 180 animals can be fed under NFI test conditions in a single test intake. The pens have the capacity to run three feed test intakes each year, providing generous capability for Wagyu sire testing. An NFI estimated breeding

A minimum of five progeny from each of those two sires must be represented in the contemporary group, totalling a minimum of 10 progeny in the group.

This will enable effective BREEDPLAN removal of environmental effects prior to feedlot entry and performance comparison. Additional progeny per sire in the group will be beneficial, increasing the resulting EBV accuracy.

14

To enable valid BREEDPLAN comparison and EBV calculation, at least two sires will need to have their steer or heifer progeny submitted together as a single “contemporary group” - from the same breeding property and herd, born within 60 days of each other and raised together until feedlot entry. The more uniform breeding and raising conditions the more robust the sire test results will be.

For example in the Marble Score EBV, the number of progeny per sire represented in the contemporary group and the EBV accuracy produced would be: No. of sire progeny

5

10

15

20

EBV accuracy produced %

60

73

79

83

Kerwee’s General Manager Steve Martin said Kerwee was proud to be partnering with the Australian Wagyu Association to determine individual animal feed efficiencies in a commercial setting, facilitating Wagyu BREEDPLAN data, sire EBVs and indexing.

To do this, AWA in partnership with Kerwee Lot Feeders and Stockyard, will carry out annual sire progeny feeder trials capturing all feedlot and carcase data currently available.

They are aiming to develop the world’s most advanced production and genetic analysis system specifically for the Wagyu industry.

“We think it’s vital, in such a high value and rapidly developing sector of the beef industry, that we partner with the Wagyu industries most progressive suppliers to ensure the integrity of our Stockyard brands”, Martin said. n

WAGYU the marbling breed

>> see page 17

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

The Kerwee feedlot specialises in long fed programs, using leading management practices and steam flaked rations to support the highly prized Stockyard Wagyu beef brands. Feed efficiency has been shown to vary around 15% between animals which, in the case of a 400 day Wagyu feeding business, can mean 6% of total production costs or $240/head in today’s market.

From an industry perspective there will be enormous benefits from using this technology to sharpen selection decisions and reduce production costs in all seed stock and commercial grazing herds.

APRIL 2016

WAGYU the marbling breed

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STANBROKE.COM AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

15

16

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

WAGYU SIRE PROGENY

TEST PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY Entrants to the Sire Progeny Test Program will be required to comply with the following conditions:

1. SIRE OWNER The owner of the sire to be tested must be: a. A full member of AWA b. Enrolled in Wagyu BREEDPLAN. Note, there is no additional cost to full members to enrol in BREEDPLAN.

2. SIRES TO BE TESTED

The AWA in partnership with Kerwee Lot Feeders and Stockyard, will carry out annual sire progeny feeder trials capturing all feedlot and carcase data currently available.

Continued from page 14

Additional sires may be tested with inclusion of their progeny in the same contemporary group. Members are also encouraged to share sires in order to create linkage with the rest of the population and validate their sire’s genetic merit in other herds. Sires tested again through their progeny appearing in subsequent test groups, or through their progeny performance data added directly into Wagyu BREEDPLAN, will have their EBV accuracies further increased.

President Peter Gilmour said “This is a major breakthrough for Wagyu bull breeders. Not only are we guaranteed to get our feedlot growth and carcase data back and into the Wagyu genetic analysis, but for the first time we will have access to really accurate feed efficiency data. This is vital to our long fed Wagyu programs. I urge all bull breeders to put your best younger bulls in. Let’s work together to find the next Wagyu super bull.”

The program will also be linked to the Wagyu Sire Competition currently under development by AWA, with award recognition given to individual traits such a “Best Feed Efficiency” and “Most commercially profitable” sires. EBVs and indexes will help inform the sire competition and provide the most comprehensive Wagyu sire assessment program the beef industry has seen, incorporating genetic merit and commercial profitability.

The sire to be tested must: a. Be registered with the AWA b. Have a further DNA sample provided to AWA so that the sire can be genotyped. Sire genotyping will be provided within the cost of the program. Initially genotyping will be via the Geneseek GGP High Density SNP chip c. Have semen collected prior to testing to ensure the sire’s genetics are commercially available following the testing, if the sire is proven to be of high genetic merit d. Have 200-straws of semen available for offer for sale to the public in events to be nominated by AWA, with AWA to receive 3% commission on the sale of the semen.

In addition: e. If there are excess sires submitted, AWA reserves the right to give preference to young sires (less than 3 years of age) with EBVs and/or indexes demonstrating the sire has high genetic potential f. Once the program is established AWA will target sires at least in the top 10% of the breed for EBVs and/or indexes g. A spread of bloodlines (genetic diversity) is desirable.

3. SIRE PROGENY CONTEMPORARY GROUP Sire progeny must be submitted in a contemporary group where: a. Each sire must be represented by at least 5 progeny b. At least two sires must be represented in the contemporary group c. All the progeny must be Wagyu fullblood/purebred or crossbred Wagyu breed type and must be the one breed type. For example, all Wagyu fullblood or all crossbred Wagyu F1 50% d. All progeny in the group must be either all steers or all heifers ie. it cannot be a mixed sex group. e. The progeny must be identified by a visual and an NLIS tag when delivered to the feedlot f. The progeny must weigh between 300kg and 380kg at feedlot entry g. Each progeny must be submitted with birth month as a minimum, and preferably also with other pre-feedlot weight recorded data h. The progeny must be pre-vaccinated for IBR to prevent illness in the feedlot causing them to be removed from their contemporary group. i. A DNA hair sample from each progeny must be supplied to AWA.

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

17

WAGYU SIRE PROGENY

TEST PROGRAM INTRODUCTION After entry submission and prior to progeny feedlot entry AWA must for each progeny: j. Genotype the progeny (initially using Geneseek GGP Low Density SNP chips) k. Parent verify the progeny to its sire l. Determine the progeny’s breed content using the Wagyu Content Test m. Register the progeny in the Commercial Slaughter Register and performance data loaded for BREEDPLAN analysis.

4. SIRE PROGENY DELIVERY AND OWNERSHIP Entrants must: a. Own and arrange for supply of the sires’ progeny and be responsible for all costs associated with delivery of progeny to Kerwee Feedlot, feedlot induction and custom feeding b. Contract all feedlot costs directly with Kerwee Lot Feeders Pty Ltd c. Negotiate the sale of the resulting progeny carcases with the Kerwee Group. The Kerwee Group will offer a forward contract for the purchase of the resulting carcases.

AWA will not be part of these private agreements apart from contributing to the organisation of the Sire Progeny Test Program and resultant data analysis.

AWA will not take any part in ownership of the physical sire or its progeny. The net proceeds from the sale of animals/carcases will belong to the animal owners.

5. SIRE PROGENY FEEDING Kerwee Feedlot Pty Ltd shall be responsible for all feedlot services including: a. Induction b. Provision of a settling in period at the feedlot of at least 28 days c. Custom feeding for 450 days d. Weight measurement at entry, during feeding and exit e. Net Feed Intake measurement involving: i. Adaption to GrowSafe bins: up to 28 days ii. NFI testing: 70 days f. Provision of feedlot entry, interim and exit weights and Net Feed Intake data to owners and AWA.

6. SIRE PROGENY SLAUGHTER The Kerwee Group shall be responsible for all slaughter services including: a. Contracting of the abattoirs b. Transport to the abattoirs c. Slaughter of all animals in the contemporary group on the same day d. Carcase assessment, including: i. Japanese digital camera imaging and carcase analysis data (Eye Muscle Area, Marbling Percent, Marbling Fineness) ii. AUS-MEAT data (Carcase Weight, Marble Score, Fat etc.) iii. MSA grading of bodies

18

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

e. Provision of full carcase data to owners and AWA f.

Payment to the animal owner for the carcases at the price entered into with Kerwee Group according to item 4c.

7. TEST INFORMATION The information and results produced by the sire test shall be: a. The property of AWA and AWA may publish any and all of the sire and progeny information b. Entered by AWA into Wagyu BREEDPLAN and the resulting EBVs and Indexes published for all animals taking part in the sire test. AWA will develop NFI EBVs after collection of some 3000 progeny NFI records. c. Provided to entrants at appropriate points throughout the program. d. Reported to members through the Wagyu Update magazine and at field days which will consider the program in detail.

8. TESTING FEES The Sire Progeny Test fee per sire for AWA data capture and analysis (apart from all feedlotting costs incurred with Kerwee) will be $3,400 (inc GST) per sire for 5 progeny per sire. This fee will increase by $480 (inc GST) per additional progeny tested in the sires group.

This is based on the following costs per sire (ex GST): SIRE GENOTYPING (initially GGP HD)

$110

PROGENY GENOTYPING (initially GGP LD), sire verification and Wagyu Content Test: 5 progeny @ $100

$500

PROGENY REGISTERED ON THE SLAUGHTER REGISTER AND DATA LOAD: 5 progeny @ $20

$100

FEEDLOT LIAISON

$400

NFI DATA CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS 5 PROGENY FOR 100 DAYS @ $3.00

$1,500

CARCASE CAMERA IMAGING AND ANALYSIS 5 PROGENY @ $20 per carcase

$100

REPORTING TO ENTRANTS

$400

TOTAL COST PER SIRE $3110

WHY SHOULD I BE INVOLVED? High ranking Wagyu bulls with high accuracy EBVs are in strong demand. You could well have the next trait leader, so needed to deliver the whole of supply chain benefits to the Australian and international Wagyu industries. The Sire Progeny Test offers all Wagyu bull breeders the opportunity to select the best of your younger bulls using Wagyu BREEDPLAN EBVs and indexes, and to drive up the accuracy of those estimates. As a participant you will derive both tangible and intangible benefits. These are estimated to include: >> see page 21

APRIL 2016

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AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

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19

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ARWFH0018 SIRE (pictured right) ACCFE0161 THE WRIGHT WAGYU TAMBO E161 (AI) (ET)

IMUFN2125 TAMAMARU (IMP USA)

DAM (pictured right) CCOFE0424 COATES BIG AL E424 (AI) (ET)

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| Barbara Roberts-Thomson | Ph 02 6772 1856 | acadcattle@tpg.com.au | “Trevanion”, 80 Roseneath Lane, Armidale, NSW 2350 |

20

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

WAGYU SIRE PROGENY

TEST PROGRAM Continued from page 18

INTRODUCTION

TANGIBLE - entrants can expect to increase the value of their test sires where the sires prove to be EBV trait and index leaders as follows: The current average value of a Wagyu herd bull is in the order of An average performance proof generating EBVs could slightly increase sire value to A good performance proof could reasonably increase sire value to - semen sales are likely, perhaps: 500 straws @ $50 - TOTAL BENEFIT - BENEFIT : COST RATIO However, an excellent performance proof may significantly increase sire value to - semen sales are very likely, perhaps: 1000 straws @ $100 - TOTAL BENEFIT - BENEFIT : COST RATIO

est. sire value ($)

benefit ($)

$7,000 $8,000

adding + $1,000

$20,000

adding + $13,000 adding + $25,000 + $38,000 12 : 1 adding + $43,000

$50,000

SIRE PROGENY TEST PROGRAM

Carel Teseling Technical Services Manager, AWA

adding + $100,000 + $143,000 46 : 1

To be fair, it must be recognised that not all test sires will prove to be strong performers. With a poor performance proof it is likely that the value of a test sire decrease below breed average value to perhaps $5,000.

INTANGIBLE - Even with a poor sire proof, entrants will reap intangible benefits such as: Improved recognition and reputation as a seedstock breeder.

■ Improved breeding and selection decisions. For example, in the case of a poor performance proof the results will assist with culling decisions and future sire selection.

■

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

INFORMATION Details of the Sire Progeny Test Program to be announced at the 2016 Wagyu National Conference. It's anticipated the first test intake will occur around June 2016. Information and entry forms will be available from the AWA website. To discuss the program, contact

www.wagyu.org.au

02 6773 4222 0439 368 283 carel@wagyu.org.au

FEEDLOT PRODUCTION AND CARCASE GRID PRICING

Steve Martin General Manager Feedlot Operations, Kerwee Lot Feeders Pty Ltd. 07 4692 2277 0437 569 765 smartin@kerwee.com.au

21

MARKETPLACE IMPACTS TO PROFITABILITY

FEED EFFICIENCY IMPACTS PROFITABILITY Currently it is widely accepted that the cow herd consumes about 60-80% of the energy required for beef production.

SEEDSTOCK

TEST STATIONS

27%

23%

15%

35%

COW - CALF

FEEDLOTS

FIGURE 1 Distribution of benefits to various beef industry

sectors resulting from improved feed efficiency in Canada.

By Carel Teseling Technical Services Manager, AWA

Feed cost for cattle on pastures include the cost of land ownership, pasture improvement and supplementary feeding.

The cost of feeding cattle in a feedlot includes purchasing the ingredients, processing the feed and feeding it out. Feed cost is a major component of the cost structure of beef production.

Therefore any improvements in how efficiently feed is utilised will have a direct impact on profitability.

There are many different ways to define feed efficiency. Usually in these definitions feed intake is used as the input component and weight gain as the output component.

TABLE 1 Start weight (kg)

Cost-benefit analysis Figure 1 indicates the results of a cost-benefit analysis of feed efficiency testing in bull evaluation programs in Ontario done by M.T. Lazenby, A.J. Kellock and J.W. Wilton of the University of Guelph. This study indicated that the potential future returns to all sectors of the beef production chain will outweigh the cost of measuring feed intake. The challenge will be to encourage all sectors to share in the investment cost to test animals for efficiency.

It is expected that, in the case of Wagyu where long feedlot feeding periods are the norm, feedlots will benefit even more than the 35% indicated by the above study. Where ownership is retained throughout the life of slaughter animals, the benefits of more efficient animals will flow directly back to the owner.

Net Feed Intake (NFI) Net Feed Intake refers to the variation in feed intake which

22

remains after the requirements for maintenance and growth are accounted for. It is calculated as the actual amount of feed consumed after provision has been made for the feed the animal was expected to eat based on its size and growth rate. An efficient animal is therefore one which eats less feed than expected for its body size and growth rate and it has a negative NFI while inefficient animals have a positive NFI. An example of the calculation of NFI for two animals is given in Table 1.

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

HIGH EFFICIENCY (efficient)

LOW EFFICIENCY (inefficient)

398kg

386kg

1.54 kg/day

1.54 kg/day

Expected Feed Intake (kg)

1,668 kg

1,639 kg

Actual Feed Intake (kg)

1,585 kg

1,881 kg

-82 kg

+ 242 kg

Growth rate (kg/day)

Net Feed Intake (kg)

TABLE 1 results for two bull calves measured for

feed efficiency during a 120-day test at Trangie Research Station, NSW.

Difference in feed intake = 296kg over 120days

From the above example it is obvious that animals differ significantly in their ability to utilise feed efficiently. If we assume a difference of 2kg/day between an efficient and inefficient animal, and they are both fed for 450 days, the efficient animal will require 900kg less feed to achieve the same level of production as the inefficient animal. >> see page 25

APRIL 2016

Target:

In global full blood Japanese Black production, the ultimate target for 2016 is performance superior to the Tokyo 2015 Carcass Champion, which demands achievement like:

Japan

Japanese Meat Grading Assc. (JMGA) Overall Grade

A5

Carcass weight

>570kg

JMGA BMS

12

Retail Yield

>70%

Or nearly 200kg heavier than average Australian ‘Japanese Black’ FB carcasses, with a 3X factor in overall superior marbling, and massive, unmeasured superiority in comparative carcass efficiency.

To achieve this supreme carcass profitability, you need much more than Tajima.

NEW

TOTTORIGUNS Ginjo’s 2016 ‘Tottori Sons of Guns’ From a vein of rare heritage genetics, (see the Australian Wagyu Forum website) we offer licensed semen from two new full blood AI sires, with unique Tottori Prefecture infusion and highly credentialed pedigrees.

To help you build herds that better compete with the master breeders of Japan, these young sires represent opportunities for exciting new combinations.

‘Eye candy’ conformation.

Tested free of all Australiannotified recessive genetic conditions.

Ginjo genetics for sale

Image taken at 22 month of age

Image taken at 22 month of age

GINJO SHIGEFUKU K921 (GINFK0921) Son of the sole 100% Tottori sire to leave Japan, K921 showcases a dam pedigree packed with proven carcass performance and additional, potent Tottori/Kedaka infusion: Dam/dam C868,a Hirashigetayasu daughter, is a flush sister to our growth/ marbling champion, Ginjo MarbleMax Hiranami B901. Dam/sire ECHFB1001, an Itomoritaka son, was our second most consistent producer of high growth, high marbling carcasses. All FB progeny will be rare: ~37% Tottori.

GINJO HATSHIRA K930 (GINFK0930) Son of a proven ‘97-drop, first ‘international’ generation Kitateruyasudoi son, K930 maintains the 003 high performance tradition. But with a massive bonus in the rare genetics of sire/dam Hatsuhi, probably the best of very few high Tottori females to come from Japan with Westholme.

MarbleMax B901 is dam/sire, and a massive TF148-infused, Itoshigefuji daughter is dam/dam. With balanced Hyogo (~43%), Tottori (~31%) and Itozakura bloodlines, K930 offers exciting potential to the serious breeder.

Australia: Economical Semen United States: Down Under Genetics (Co). New Zealand Genetic Enterprises South America/ South Africa: Compliant semen available for some countries.

Ginjo Wagyu | Mike Buchanan M +61 437 047 234 T +61 2 4997 0482 E mjbuch@bigpond.com Postal (PO Box 71) 125 Pindimar Road Tea Gardens New South Wales Australia, 2324

Founding Member – Australian Wagyu Forum www.australianwagyuforum.com.au GW_AUWAG_Mar16_wƒ080316.indd 1

8/03/2016 2:50 PM

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

23

Kerwee is Australia’s premier feedlot specialising in producing high quality Wagyu and Angus beef to meet the demand of the world’s most discerning consumers.

Family owned and operated since 1958, Kerwee is highly regarded as a pioneer within the beef industry by having established the chilled grain-fed beef market in Japan. Today, Kerwee’s reputation continues to exceed industry standards in animal health & welfare, feed conversion rates and carcase assessment.

Kerwee’s expertise has enabled Stockyard Beef to remain Australia’s most awarded beef brand.

Driven by the strong demand from our reliable customer base established more than 40 years ago, Kerwee Lot Feeders is looking for opportunities to partner with progressive wagyu producers. We can offer direct purchases, custom, or share feeding programs; in a first class facility with superior animal nutrition and welfare management, competitive prices and a professional service providing full feeding and grading feedback on individual animals.

Join the winning team by contacting us today.

STEVE MARTIN

LACHIE HART

E smartin@kerwee.com.au

E lachieh@stockyardbeef.com.au

General Manager Feedlot Operations P 07 4692 2277 M 0437 569 765

24

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

Managing Director P 07 3623 2803 M 0408 467 803

APRIL 2016

IMPACTS TO PROFITABILITY MARKETPLACE

Feed efficiency impacts profitability Continued from page 22

Limitations to NFI testing

Testing for NFI

There are a number of factors which tend to limit the amount of NFI testing, including:

Feed efficiency can be measured either on young bulls or steer progeny of sires. Either way, the principles of measurement are similar:

1. The high cost associated with measuring feed intake of individual animals;

1. Animals are put in pens which are fitted with specialised GrowSafe feed bins which allow animals unrestricted access to feed, and the actual feed intake of the animal is recorded every time the animal visits the bin.

2. The “complexity” of obtaining feed intake measurements; 3. The practical limitations, animal health concerns and large overhead costs associated with testing;

2. The animals are allowed at least 28 days to adjust to the ration and feeding system prior to the commencement of the test period, followed by a test duration of 70 days.

4. The general lack of appreciation of the importance of feed costs to enterprise profitability

3. During the test the animals should be weighed at least every fortnight to accurately record its growth during the test.

5. Limited appreciation of the potential for genetic improvement in feed efficiency;

4. The data collected can then be processed to calculate NFI of the animal.

6. Lack of direct financial benefit. In general, profitability gains in the feedlot sector resulting from investment in NFI genetic improvement programs by the seedstock and cow/calf sectors are currently not passed back to these sectors.

7. Relatively limited use of artificial breeding technologies in the beef industry results in the lack of opportunity to recoup costs through high volume dissemination of superior genetics.

Currently Tullimba feedlot, located 40 km south west of Armidale, is the only facility that provides NFI data for analysis in BREEDPLAN. However Kerwee Feedlot is in the process of installing GrowSafe feed bins and it is expected that their first intake of steers may be as early as June 2016. This is a very exciting development as it will be the first instance where a commercial feedlot in >> see page 26

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AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

SIMON COATES email sumo@gil.com.au phone 0438 200 294

25

MARKETPLACE IMPACTS TO PROFITABILITY

Feed efficiency impacts profitability Continued from page 25

Australia has installed GrowSafe feeding bins to measure feed intake and where the data will be used for BREEDPLAN genetic analysis.

The AWA Genetic Improvement Committee has developed a Sire Progeny Testing Program that will define protocols to ensure feed efficiency test results will be suitable for genetic analysis. The AWA Competitions Committee is also developing rules for a Sire Competition that will utilise the results from Kerwee Feedlot to award high genetic merit sires for a range of traits with the aim to encourage NFI testing and improve the quality of Australian Wagyu sires.

The installation of GrowSafe feeding bins at Kerwee feedlot will help to reduce the direct cost of NFI testing as well as the cost of animals being transported from Tullimba to a commercial feedlot to complete their feeding period.

26

Genetic efficiency through NFI EBVs BREEDPLAN can calculate NFI EBVs for breeds where enough animals have been tested for NFI at approved centres.

Advances in genomic technologies will significantly improve the ability to accurately identify more efficient animals.

The above is only possible where a large number of animals have NFI records available for analysis by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU). It is expected that about 3000 NFI records will be needed to develop NFI EBVs for the Wagyu breed.

Feed efficiency is a very important trait for all livestock species, and even more-so for Wagyu where animals are being feedlot fed for between 330 and 650 days before slaughter.

Genetic improvement in feed efficiency

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

will have a significant impact on reducing costs across all sectors of the production chain. With the high level of retained ownership, Wagyu breeders are in a very good position to capitalise on the financial benefits that will result from genetic improvements made in feed efficiency.

The establishment of NFI EBVs for the Wagyu population will require significant financial investment from Wagyu breeders.

NFI EBVs will make it possible for commercial breeders to select for more efficient breeding animals in their herds while also improving feed efficiency of steers going through the feedlots.

When NFI EBVs are estimated, AWA will be in a position to also include this very important cost component in the calculation of $Index values. n

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

27

MARKETPLACE INDUSTRY REAPING REWARDS

on online livestock auction platform, AuctionsPlus, have skyrocketed up to 627c/kg liveweight (lwt) for Wagyu cross steers. The breed’s strong future was reinforced late last year through mining magnate, Gina Rinehart’s, $30 million purchase of the 10,000 hectare Glencoe Station, near Dubbo in central west NSW, where she is expanding her existing interest in Wagyu cattle production.

Australian Wagyu Association Chief Executive Officer, Graham Truscott, says many Angus cattle producers are “seriously looking” at switching at least half of their production across to Wagyu F1 production, value adding their existing quality Angus female bases. “The demand is now so high that our producers are saying they could sell between two and three times the amount of beef they’re producing for the world market,” he says.

INDUSTRY INNOVATORS REAPING REWARDS After years of heckling from industry peers, the innovators who brought Wagyu cattle to Australia are now reaping the rewards.

Reprinted courtesy of John Deere.

This article by Amy Lawson appears in the latest edition of The Furrow magazine.

28

Many dismissed the Wagyu breed as a passing fad following its introduction to Australia in the 1990s. Others couldn’t look past the breed’s unconventional body shape, in comparison to established bos Taurus breeds.

But as the saying goes, ‘it’s what’s on the inside that counts’. With the highest propensity for marbling (intra-muscular fat) of any beef breed, the tenderness and flavour in 100 percent fullblood Wagyu meat delivers an unparalleled eating experience.

Early adopters are jumping on board in their droves as fullblood and crossbred Wagyu cattle have been met with record competition in the marketplace. Stud producers simply cannot keep up with demand for Wagyu bulls and commercial Wagyu and Wagyu-cross cattle sales

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

“That, coupled with the general lack of beef supply in Australia, has sent general beef prices up but the Wagyu premium has also continued to expand. Where Angus steers are making between 300 and 330c/kg (lwt), Wagyu F1 feeder steers are making 550-630c/kg (lwt).

“These feeders are now coming in at over $2,000 a head and so people can no longer ignore the massive premiums that are there for the Wagyu F1.”

Export boom The market has clearly responded to growing export demand for the product, with about 80-90 percent of Wagyu product exported (led by China), and 1020 percent consumed domestically. This demand has combined with the results of industry-driven research and development into estimated breeding values (EBVs) for Wagyu carcase traits for marble score, marbling fineness, carcase weight and eye muscle area (EMA).

“As a result, we’re now able to very accurately define where the best genetics are and to define a terminal index based on carcase weight and marble score – the two components that you get paid for,” Graham says. >> see page 31

THE PROOF IS ON THE PLATE Our pedigrees are backed by performance Our award winning genetics are shipped all over the world Join the success story that is Goorambat Wagyu CONTACT US TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR WAGYU BREEDING REQUIREMENTS Phone:

Dom 0427 732 538

Email: dombayard@bigpond.com

Web: www.goorambatwagyu.com.au

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

29

MATT & ALICE EDWARDS Mobile: - 0428 698 866 Phone: - 07 4691 2508 ‘Silverbrook’ PO Box 36 Oakey, QLD 4401 E.mail edwardslivestock@bigpond.com Website : www.edwardslivestock.com.au

30

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

INDUSTRY REAPING REWARDS MARKETPLACE

Industry innovators reaping rewards Continued from page 28

A 2014 Australian Wagyu Association survey indicated there would be an estimated 170,000 joinings of Wagyu across other breeds or fullblood Wagyu that year. “We estimated the market would grow at 14 percent but we reckon the market has grown by at least 30 percent since then,” Graham says. “Our registrations for the last six months of 2015 were a 30 percent increase on the same sixmonth period of 2014, and transfers - an indication of trading activity - increased 140 percent.

Adams, says the first offerings of F1 Wagyu/Angus cattle on AuctionsPlus, last July, saw steers sell for 557c/kg (lwt) and heifers make 547c/kg (lwt).

“Marketing and media attention triggered further engagement from producers, agents and buyers resulting in subsequent offerings in the following weeks, and by late July, F1 Wagyu/Angus steers were making over 600c/kg live – unprecedented prices for any commercial cattle sold in Australia,” Anna says.

“We’re also now seeing the commensurate increase in the value and demand of Wagyu seedstock. When I started in 2012, the average bull price was $4,000, whereas the average now would be in the order of $7,000, while the average Angus bull price is around $5,600.”

One cattleman to make the major switch to Wagyu is Steve Binnie, a fourth-generation cattle producer from the NSW Hunter Valley who last year converted his family’s 100-year-old Herefordbased production system to Wagyu.

Outside of Japan, Australia is the clear international leader in the genetic development of the breed and in quality production of fullblood and crossbred Wagyu beef. After hosting the World Wagyu Conference last May, Wagyu feeder cattle started their emergence on AuctionsPlus last July, exposing the true value of Wagyu on the commercial scene.

AuctionsPlus market operations manager, Anna

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

“I spent a lot of time on research and was very open-minded about what was the most functional cattle breed that would deliver the best financial rewards for our efforts and would be the best harvester of our grass,” says Steve, who runs Delta Wagyu at Mirannie, via Singleton. When I had my first kill at home last year, I sunk my teeth into the first steak – a 12-year-old cull cow off grass – and the next day I sold the Hereford stud.

It was that good. I knew it was the future of the beef industry.” n

www.wagyu.org.au

31

MARKETPLACE SHARING DATA

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAGYU FEMALES AV. $US 5,988

WAGYU DATA SHARED INTERNATIONALLY In May 2015 the newly established international body, the World Wagyu Congress, resolved to encourage the sharing of data between Congress members in a number of areas.

The Australian Wagyu Association agreed to provide membership, registration and genetic analysis services to the British Wagyu Breeders Association and this service is underway. Also the American Wagyu Association has actively sought to share information with Australia.

Consequently a Data Sharing Agreement has been developed between these associations and systems for enabling data sharing will be developed by ABRI over the coming months. The data shared will include:

Pedigree data extract Individual animal details may be extracted and those of their direct pedigree ancestors for five preceding generations or until the ancestors can be matched with the same animals registered in the receiving organisation’s ILR2 database.

with any other party except through the receiving association’s on-line display of that data or through an individual member’s data extract request.

Genotype data extract All the genotype test results stored in an association’s ILR2 database may be extracted and made available to the other associations.

The purpose of this genotype extract is to reduce the cost and effort of conducting genotype testing when those tests have already been undertaken by another association. The extracted data may not be shared with any other party except through the receiving association’s on-line display of that data.

Joint Wagyu genetic analysis based on BREEDPLAN

All the genetic conditions test results stored in an association’s ILR2 database may be extracted and made available to the other associations.

A joint Wagyu genetic analysis will be developed based on BREEDPLAN which combines the genomic, pedigree and performance data held by each association in their own ILR2 database to produce estimated breeding values applicable to each association’s target market. Animals will be matched in the combined databases to ensure there is no duplication.

The purpose of this genetic conditions extract is to reduce the cost and effort of conducting genetic condition testing when those tests have already been undertaken by another association.

The extracted data may not be shared

The purpose of this joint Wagyu genetic analysis is to expand the genetic analysis of the Wagyu breed internationally to identify superior performing animals and increase the rate of genetic gain across the international Wagyu gene pool. n

The purpose of this pedigree extract is to reduce the cost and effort of registering an animal already registered in the other association’s ILR2 database.

Genetic condition data extract

32

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

The 125 Wagyu lots offered at the 2016 Rocky Mountain Wagyu Sale during the Denver Stock Show in Colorado, USA, sold to a big crowd in attendance and online.

Comprising full bloods, purebreds and F1s this short notice sale came together in flying colors.

SALE AVERAGES IN US DOLLARS 21 bulls averaged

$4,464

20 females averaged

$5,988

5 pregnancies averaged

$2,870

140 embryos averaged

$865

322 units of semen averaged

$164

TOP SELLING BULL Heartbrand 3424B 3/7/14 sired by Heartbrand 9967Y, consigned by Heart Brand Beef, Inc., Harwood, TX selling for $18,500 purchased by Brian Folloder, Houston, TX. 2ND HIGH BULL Stonyrun ID 151 Ichiro 1 4/5/08 sired by Itozuru Doi consigned by Synergy Wagyu, LLC, Charleston, SC selling for $12,000 to Larry Tebben, Floresville, TX. TOP SELLING FEMALE CX4 MS Hiroshi 179A 12/5/13 sired by LMR Akahige 811U consigned by Clear Creek Cattle Co. , Ocala, Florida sold for $11,000 to Magnolia Hill Farm, Owensboro, KY. 2ND HIGH FEMALE CX4 MS Yasu 181A 12/6/13 sired by JVP Kikuyasu-400 sold for $10,500 to Magnolia Hill Farm, Ownesboro, KY. TOP SELLING EMBRYO/SEMEN LOT- 3 #1 Itozuru DOI 151 embryos from CHR MS Kitaguni 037H with 2 units of Shigefuku 005 and 2 units of Mt. Fuji consigned by Crescent Harbor Ranch reached a top of $12,750 to Larry Tebben, Floresville, TX. TOP SEMEN was consigned by Kuemple Wagyu LLC, Pampa, TX selling 2 units of Rueshaw bringing $2050 a unit purchased by Gabriel Troy, Stoutsville, OH.

Available now ... .. registered Wagyu fullblood bulls .. semen and specially selected embryo packages .. management options/advice for embryo transfer programs IRONGATE WAGYU STUD 1157 Dempster Road, Kalgan River, Albany WA Farm Manager

Mark James mobile: 0429 444 799 phone: 08 9846 4217

Managing Director Peter Gilmour

mobile: 0419 444 799 email: peterwgilmour@gmail.com

www.irongatewagyu.com

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

33

ASSOCIATION NEW STAFF

WELCOME TO OUR LATEST TEAM MEMBER Caitlin Berecry joins the Australian Wagyu Association as our latest addition to the Registrar team.

Caitlin brings a rich set of cattle registration skills having worked in the role with Angus Australia for the past four years, the latter 18 months as the Senior Member Services Officer and involved in their registration of over 65,000 seedstock and commercial animals per year. In that role she has been responsible for the maintenance and development of the Angus ILR2 database, as well as the training and management of five staff members. She has also gained experience in certification of live animal exports, specifically seedstock to China and Russia.

In addition, Caitlin brings extensive experience in beef

total herd recording including performance recording with BREEDPLAN. She has provided livestock management and consultant services, including complete herd recording, administration, and NLIS database updates and movements. This experience will be of great value as AWA develops its on farm registration and data recording consultancy services.

Caitlin looks forward to an exciting future in the Wagyu breed. Please make her welcome by calling

02 6773 5755 caitlin@wagyu.org.au

DIRECT MEAT COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR WAGYU FULLBLOOD and CROSSBRED, FINISHED and READY TO PROCESS Negotiable grid based on SHCW and MARBLING SCORE Attractive PAYMENT TERMS For more details, contact JOE PUGLIA WAYNE BELL Ph 0407 243 689 Ph 0427 012 610 or email sales@directmeatcompany.com.au

34

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

DIRECT MEAT COMPANY

SUMO CATTLE COMPANY

SEMEN SALES A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IN THIS OUTSTANDING SIRE

WAGYU

marble score

carcase weight

fullblood terminal index

+2.5

+11kg

+$579

Sumo Michifuku F126 Animal ID: SMOFF0126 Birth date: 13-09-2010

The powerful genetic combination of MICHIFUKU and TAKEDA FARM ITOHANA 2 enables MICHIFUKU F126 to produce these significant BREEDPLAN results.

F126 SEMEN FOR SALE

Prices quoted are excl GST and shipping charges

ALSO AVAILABLE SUMO SHIMANE BULLS originating from DAI 7 ITOZAKURA, the most influential Shimane Bull bred in Japan by Shogo Takeda.

Add SIZE and MILK to your breeder herd, while maintaining good marbling. milk

T.F Kikuhana 37/2 Animal ID: IMUFR3252

T.F Itohana 38/1 Animal ID: IMUFR3236

+6kg +5kg

marble score

mature cow weight

carcase weight

SEMEN FOR SALE

+26kg +22kg

b 1 - 20 straws b 21 - 50 straws b 51 - 100 straws

$85 $75 $65 $55

+$170 +$160

* average marble score for fullblood wagyu Prices quoted are excl GST and shipping charges

1 - 20 straws 21 - 50 straws 51 - 100 straws 101 - 500 straws

fullblood terminal index

+0.0* +53kg +40kg +0.3

b b b b

$40 $35 $30

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT SUMO CATTLE COMPANY SIMON COATES email sumo@gil.com.au phone 0438 200 294

OUTSTANDING

SUMO WAGYU has been a market leader in providing elite Wagyu genetics since 1995

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

GENETICS 35

NEWS GLOBAL DEMAND

GLOBAL DEMAND BEING SATISFIED AT GOORAMBAT Known as the haute couture of the beef world, the Wagyu breed is undergoing a renaissance in the country as big name Angus breeders join the lucrative times of the premium beef breed.

By Annabelle Beale Stock and Land

North-east Victorian seedstock producers Dom and Joanne Bayard are enjoying this demand for their fullblood genetics after establishing Goorambat Wagyu in 2004. As an embryo transfer specialist, Mr Bayard was involved with large Wagyu breeding companies in Queensland and Tasmania when the breed was introduced to Australia the 1990s.

Goorambat was founded with the purchase of 23 females from NSW with their first client order for embryos from China. It has since grown to about 300 breeding females and a number of selected bulls which provide semen for both the domestic and international markets. It also has up to 60 fullblood females at any one time in the flushing team, producing embryos for the export and domestic markets.

Following two decades of investment in Australia, the country’s herd is now the biggest outside Japan. The growth has seen a wave of well known Angus breeders move into the production of F1 Wagyu, including Wattle Top Angus, Guyra, NSW, where Lock Rogers also produces and markets fullblood bulls.

Seedstock producers Dom and Joanne Bayard pictured above.

The demand for fullbloods has resulted in huge growth for Goorambat who use the three prefectural bloodlines of Tajima, Shimane and

36

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

Tottori. Mr Bayard said by mixing the prefectural bloodlines, Goorambat was able to produce cattle with marbling traits, frame and milking ability.

They run the stud alongside Global Reproduction Solutions, an embryo transfer business that has enabled the marketing and exporting of their genetics across the world. They currently have orders for embryos of fullblood Wagyu from Germany, New Zealand, USA and Canada as well as major demand from South Africa and Europe.

In January, Goorambat begun an embryo export program using the gender selection process of sexed semen, collected from fullblood Wagyu bulls. They are currently filling a contract to supply embryos for a Wagyu breeding herd being established in Europe. He said the advantage of using sexed semen was its high rate of accuracy for selecting the preferred calf sex.

In the past, part of the resistance to the breed had been the lack of objective measurement of the carcase attributes. Until recently, evaluating these traits has relied on ultrasound scans of live animals which could not accurately measure the marbling. >> see page 38

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

GY

CRO

SS

U

GOLD

B R E D WA

www.wagyu.org.au

37

Global demand being satisfied at Goorambat

New BREEDPLAN estimated breeding values (EBVs) within the Australian Wagyu herd could change that according to Mr Bayard who said this would lead to greater growth of the breed within Australia.

Continued from page 36

“It (the new Wagyu EBVs) has been embraced by Angus breeders who are looking to breed Wagyu and are trying to use these EBVs as a marbling guide,” he said.

The Bayards have participated in the Australian Wagyu Association’s carcase research, evaluating up to 70 of their own carcases in the past 2.5 years to assess the quality of marbling, eye muscle area and marbling percentage in their cattle.

“It is a great time to be a Wagyu breeder but as with anything that is very heated, there needs to be some caution exhibited,” he said.

“It is not a matter of getting in and making a fortune – breeding is very complicated.

It is not just one breed, it is a combination of prefectural zones in Japan so in a way you have a number of different breeds coming under the name Wagyu with very different characteristics you need to balance.” n

38

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

RANKED #3 SIRE IN THE WAGYU BREED - FULLBLOOD TERMINAL INDEX

LFDFY0004

LONGFORD 004

IMJFAJ2810 KITATERUYASUDOI J2810 HONGEN (IMP JAP)

Y4 (004) is an ideal sire for lifting marbling in your Fullblood and F1 production SEMEN FOR SALE 1 - 10 doses 11 - 50 doses 51 doses +

$80 +GST $65 +GST $50 +GST

PEDFAJ10787 KIKUTERU DOI J10787 - KURO IKU

PEDFAJ1742 TERUNAGADOI 1742

PEDFAJ240580 TERUNAHO J240580 PEDFAJ472 YASUTANI DOI J472 - KURO IKU

PEDFAJ601124 YOSHIMI 3 601124

PEDFAJ206526 YOSHIMI J206526 - KURO IKU

LFDFY0004 LONGFORD 004

(AI) (ET)

PEDFA201 MONJIRO J11550

WKSFM0164 WORLD K’S MICHIFUKU

LFDFT0480 LONGFORD MUTSU (AI) (ET)

PEDFA215 MICHIKO J655635 (AI) WKSFM0139 WORLD K’S HARUKI-2

IMUFP0102 KANADAGENE 102D (IMP USA) (AI) (ET)

WKSFL0976 WORLD K’S SUZUTANI 976

LONGFORD Y4 is ranked #3 sire in the breed for Fullblood Terminal Index (FTI) with - meaning his input into a joining is predicted to bring in an extra $382.

+$382

Y4 is from an extremely powerful cow family. His dam Longford Mutsu is a Michifuku daughter out of a full sister to Shigeshigetani and Overflow Keneyama and is a ¾ sister to Sanjiro and Kanadagene 100.

She comes up with extremely high marbling and fineness of marbling (MF) in the March 2015 EBV’s His sire ETJ003 is +1.0 for marble score (MS) and + 1.0 for fineness of marbling (MF) so both sire and dam contribute to the great success of Longford Y4.

Y4 is 11 years of age and has been in natural service all his life. He is strongly and soundly built, high libido and free moving yet extremely quiet. Longford Station’s Y4’s carcase results from Japan showed him to be extremely high in IMF. MARCH 2015 WAGYU GROUP BREEDPLAN

GL

www.wrightwagyus.com.au

BW 200 400 600 MCW MILK SS

CWt EMA RIB RUMP RBY

MS

MF

-1

+0

-1

-2

-5

-1.1

-8

+4.0

+0.4

+0.2

+0.3

+

Acc

63% 86%

88%

83%

80%

69%

60%

59%

82%

59%

63%

64%

59%

84% 72%

SC10588

-1.2 -1.2

CONTACT Barbara Roberts-Thomson

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

FTI

2.0 +3.7 $382

EBV

Ph 02 6772 1856

www.wagyu.org.au

acadcattle@tpg.com.au

39

40

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

APRIL 2016

WEBSITE ACCESS CHANGES ASSOCIATION

DATABASE ACCESS CHARGES TO FUND ONGOING GENETIC ANALYSIS The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) has invested heavily in developing a powerful Wagyu genetic analysis with the effective carcase Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) which really matter for Wagyu – Marble Score, Marbling Fineness, Carcase Weight and Eye Muscle Area.

A Terminal Index has enabled clear ranking of sires and dams on predicted commercial value of their progeny. Over 80,000 animals now have displayable carcase EBVs. That data is extremely valuable for the selection of Wagyu genetics for commercial and seedstock breeding programs and is readily available on the AWA website.

providing the dollars needed for slaughter progeny data collection and loading.

Access to AWA owned website data will be restricted as in the follows levels. Each level will have access the preceding level’s services plus its own listed services:

The word is rapidly spreading on the availability and power of the Wagyu animal database search services. Over 4500 national and international visitors are now accessing the AWA website per month with many accessing the genetic performance data. And over half of those are new visitors every month. As a result, the pedigree, EBV and Index information is of high economic value to the Association.

■■

AWA website and all general information.

■■

Wagyu Breeding Guide, to provide lists of the higher performing animals in ranked order, with information on the general breeding of Wagyu cattle.

■■

Sale catalogues and semen catalogues provided by ABRI Internet Solutions data search systems with links to the individual sale animal only, enabling the sale animal’s pedigree and performance details to be observed.

Large qualities of commercial slaughter progeny data are needed to expand the EBV and Index description and accuracy.

Sourcing that data and the subsequent animal registration and loading of performance data is expensive. From 30th June 2016 ongoing funding for further development and production of the genetic analysis will be provided through the member-only access to Animal and Member Search services. This will significantly increase membership numbers,

PUBLIC – access to:

■■

No access to member and animal enquiry search facilities.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER – access to: ■■

Membership enquiry – full search services

■■

Animal enquiry – restricted to individual animal lookup by animal identifier or name providing pedigree and performance details with only the owner link available to obtain full details on the owner

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

■■

Mating predictor – for an individual sire and dam only

■■

No access to the more detailed and richer set of animal enquiry search facilities.

FULL MEMBER – full and complete access to animal and member enquiry search facilities.

■■

Members wishing to establish their own animal sale catalogues will be able to link to the sale animal’s pedigree and performance page in the animal search facility but no further searches from that page will be accessible.

■■

Website users clicking on the website database search systems will be advised of this pending change and fast, easy, online membership subscription will be developed. The increased membership income would be used to assist in funding the ongoing commercial data capture and genetic analysis.

Members are invited to provide feedback on these access restrictions through board members or to the CEO

email graham@wagyu.org.au n

41

NEWS AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST

Darley Polled Queen (P) (Homozygous Polled) (AUST)

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST HOMOZYGOUS WAGYU Darley Wagyu is claiming to have Australia’s first homozygous polled purebred Wagyu born as the result of an imported USA embryo using a heterozygous purebred Wagyu bull (one polled gene) that is recessive genetic disease free and a homozygous polled purebred Wagyu female (two polled genes).

The embryo was implanted in Australia. The sire is Bar R 52Y (USA) and the dam Bar R 27Y (USA).This was still a 50-50 gamble that embryos once born would result in producing a homozygous polled purebred Wagyu offspring according to Darley stud advisor David Bellamy.

“Lucky for us it has produced a Wagyu history making animal that is free of known recessive genetic conditions”, he said.

“It has taken over three years of testing sires and females, then having them pass the required export blood tests and then making of the embryos, followed by the importation then the Implanting and hoping for a homozygous polled purebred result”.

An extensive genetic breeding program has been mapped out for this ground breaking calf, Darley Polled Queen (P), born on June 9 2015, to produce Purebred Polled bulls in the years ahead.

David Bellamy admitted it had been a very expensive exercise to date, especially with all the new added AQIS importing charges.

“Nevertheless we are in the Wagyu breeding business for the long haul so we hope fellow Wagyu breeders in the future will want recessive genetic disease free purebred polled bull genetics infused into their breeding programs”.

Lucky for us it has produced a Wagyu history making animal that is free of known recessive genetic conditions.

42

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

“With all the major beef breeds today all being polled or sections with polled genetics, and the animal rights strongly against the dehorning of cattle the future of polled Wagyu cattle in Australia is now a reality, even though it may still be around two years away from having an Australian born homozygous purebred polled Wagyu sire with semen available for Australian Wagyu breeders.

Darley Wagyu is awaiting the birth of full siblings to the history making calf hoping for an homozygous polled bull calf. n

APRIL 2016

Kuro Kin Wagyu

Performance Beyond Expectation

Kuro Kin Celebrating 20 Years with the Australian Wagyu Industry — To help celebrate, we will be hosting the 2016 Australian Wagyu Association conference tour and lunch on Thursday 5th May. Lunch will feature grass-fed Fullblood Wagyu dry-aged for 6 weeks by renowned chef Colin Selwood.

Upon ArrivAl guests will be served drinks and Yakitori (brisket skews) with Japanese lotus.

During lunch a presentation will be given by executive chef Colin Selwood of ‘The Cottage’ Scone.

TopiCS to be covered on the day:  Kuro Kin Breeding principles.  Why analysis of data is important: eg, improved Fullblood and F1 carcase performance.  Client relationships: – Bull sales and guarantees – Joining advice – Feedback on bulls performance – progeny data feedback.  History of the Bishop Family in Agriculture and the future of Kuro Kin Wagyu.

For further information contact: peter Bishop Jnr, Tel: 0429 454 189 Email: kurokin@bigpond.com

Bulls and 1000 F1’s for sale each year

www.kurokinwagyu.com.au AUSTRALIAN WAGYU UPDATE

www.wagyu.org.au

43

AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY LIMITED

Producers of award winning Wagyu beef

LD MEDAL GO

2 014

Dave Bailey Manager Aronui Feedlot Wagyu Procurement

Ph 0428 726 035 dbailey@aaco.com.au www.aaco.com.au