Editor’s Letter | WW
March /April 2016
W
ow, since the last issue there have been many Wagyu events; shows, a field day and an online auction. This issue covers them all; this might be our largest Out & About issue that we’ve had thus far! This says a lot about the breed and its aggressive growth and the positive energy to move forward that is expressed by every Wagyu breeder, marketer and enthusiast. This issue doesn’t just contain the informative Out & About; this March/April issue has everyone’s favorite departments. We start with a Market Matters piece that discusses USDA beef grades and where Wagyu fits into it. From there we stay on the marketing side of things and visit with an award winning California based restaurant that has been featuring locally raised Wagyu and their patrons love it. Our Ranch Reach takes us to Indiana where we learn more about the Emerson Cattle Company program; good cattle and even better folks. The Health & Husbandry department focuses on finishing Wagyu cattle with Morris Stock Farms from Texas and also visit with Steve Smith to learn about his study comparing the differences in lipid composition as well as learn a little bit about the man behind the science. Let’s not forget Living Prime where I guarantee the ladies will fall in love with an amazing new accessory to add to any wardrobe. As we enter the spring season I’ve got a very full plate; we have the Bar R Cattle Company production sale in May and in June the Passion for Prime consignment sale in Missouri. I hope to see many of you at these events. Just around the corner is the Texas Wagyu Association’s annual event; I’m making the trip and am looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and hope to meet many new ones as well. With all of these sales, moving to a new ranch and keeping up with the tasks that everyday life brings, summer will be here before I know it. I have to give a shout out to my family and my fellow staff; they have been troopers and all of this wouldn’t be possible without them. I hope everyone has a wonderful and productive spring, see many of you soon!
Publisher’s Post | WW ou’ve heard the saying about the “best laid plans”; well it certainly applied to our intended trip to the Houston Stock Show, we had everything in place to make the trip and within hours those plans disintegrated in a cloud of dust. There are moments when you know that you’ve got too many irons in the fire. This spring has been a busy one and not a lot of relief in sight, so it really does help that you get to love what you do each and every day. While we missed getting to see everyone in Houston, we really enjoyed going through the photos and seeing the winners and the candid’s taken during the Wagyu show, it truly looked like a grand time was had by everyone in attendance. I’m not sure where the rest of the country is in terms of spring being in the air, but here in California things are so green that it hurts the eyes and the blossoms are magnificent. Sitting at my desk and staying at my computer takes a lot of willpower; spring fever is a real thing. Next month we will be seeing old friends and making new ones when we attend “The Steaks are High” sale in Salado, Texas. This is truly a busy spring for the Wagyu breed; it’s amazing to see the growth that has taken place in such a short span of time. I’ve said it before; the quantity of calls that come into this office from folks wanting to know more about the breed and get started with a program are numerous on a weekly basis. This is an exhilarating time to be a part of the Wagyu advancement.
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Sherry Danekas - Publisher 8
Wagyu World | March/April 2016