The Australia Wagyu Update by Australian Wagyu Association

update

th e australian

wagyu

issue 45

APR 2010

The Australian Wagyu Update is produced by the Australian Wagyu Association Ltd. on behalf of the membership

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Wagyu features at food festival Coles stocks Wagyu products in premium range Beefing up business - Mayura Station BVDV and lotfeeding Wagyu Wagyu Certification Scheme - update

DATES for THE DIARY ■■ ■■

2010 AWA Conference - Sept Wagyu Update for 2010 Issue 46 - released Aug 2010 Issue 47 - released Dec 2010 Issue 48 - released Apr 2011 contact AWA Office for details

genetic conditions in wagyu Identifing genetic conditions or specific traits primarily in cattle - a challenge to be managed not feared.

story by

Ian Marsh and Francesca Galea Industry and Investment, NSW Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) Australia

The State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the EMAI, Industry and Investment, NSW offers 25 diagnostic assays that provide a national and international service to identify genetic conditions or specific traits primarily in cattle but also in sheep and horses. These assays are all molecular based, meaning that they target specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) regions within the genes associated with the condition or trait in question. Results are achieved by discriminating between the normal gene and the mutant gene for each condition. EMAI has gained substantial expertise in developing diagnostic assays for a number of genetic conditions as well as introducing and optimising diagnostic assays for other genetic conditions that have been identified elsewhere and published in the scientific literature. Genetic conditions generally present as either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive. Autosomal implying genetic or inherited, but not sex-linked; i.e. not associated with a sex chromosome (X or Y). If the condition is dominant,

progeny need only acquire a single copy of the mutant gene (from either parent) to present as clinically affected. With a recessive condition the progeny must inherit two copies of the mutant gene (one from each parent) to be clinically affected. Whilst affected animals must inherit a mutant gene from both parents, carrier animals need only inherit a mutant gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other. Carriers appear phenotypically (observable characteristics) normal and are indistinguishable from non-carriers unless genetic testing is performed. Examples of autosomal recessive conditions include generalised glycogenosis (Pompe’s Disease), a cellular storage condition in Brahman cattle and associated breeds and ovine dermatosparaxis, a connective tissue disorder in White Dorper sheep. EMAI offers diagnostic assays for both of these conditions and has developed a strong association with the Brahman and Dorper breed societies as they manage these conditions with the Australian animal population. Continued page 6

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

Wagyu News

Visitors to the Kenilworth Wine and Food festival sample some Wagyu beef from Kobe’s Gourmet Butchery from Eliza Cabassi. 2. Yandina visitor Jocelyn Bell picks up her Kobe’s Gourmet Butchery Wagyu sample pack from Peter Cabassi during the Kenilworth festival. 3. The well decked-out marketing and promotional team from Kobe’s Gourmet Butchery at Kenilworth included Peter, Chris, Jack and Eliza Cabassi and Jon and Patrick Condon. 1.

Wagyu stars at Kenilworth’s food festival Wagyu took centre stage at the popular Kenilworth Wine and Food festival held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland over the Easter long weekend.

Thousands of visitors descended on the picturesque town to sample and buy a vast range of locally-produced farm produce sourced from the Mary Valley and surrounding districts. Among more than 40 exhibitors involved was Peter Cabassi’s Kobe’s Gourmet Butchery – a specialist Wagyu beef retailer which generates some of its supply from the Obi Kobi Cattle Co in the nearby Obi Obi Valley. The balance of supply is drawn from Cabassi & Rea Wagyu brand program. Wagyu beef makes up more than 35 percent of the retail butchery’s total sales by volume, proving that there is a clear market niche for good quality Wagyu beef in the upper-end of the domestic

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retail market, particularly in the 3-4 and 5-6 marbling score range. While many Australian consumers are now familiar with Wagyu and what makes it the world’s best beef product, the Kobe’s Gourmet Butchery team at Kenilworth was kept busy all day fielding inquiries from festival-goers curious about the origins of Wagyu, what makes it different from other beef, and where they can source it. In addition to offering samples, the site chalked-up hectic sales of attractively packaged Kobe’s $50 gift boxes, featuring a selection of vacuum-packaged sirloin and rump steaks and delicious Wagyu sausages. Wagyu aprons, caps and other promotional materials were also in high demand. n

from the editor

RECESSIVE BUT not REGRESSIVE Genetic gain is usually closely correlated with commercial gain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a principal that has been recognised and aspired to for hundreds of years in the development of the modern beef industry. A bigger carcase weight, an increase in rib eye area, an elevation of marble score all averaged across a herd leads to a considerably improved price at slaughter. Such genetic gain can be achieved in many ways. Gene technology offers great potential for this. It may well become the tool of choice in the future. Its practical application however remains a few years away yet. The traditional technique to achieve genetic gain has been to select the characteristic that it is desired to enhance, utilise inbreeding to stabilise traits that are considered to have a recessive mode of inheritance and to then apply heavy selection pressure. The Japanese have become highly skilled at this technique and over the years have developed a number of formulae which provide variations on this simple theme. This process has been responsible over time for the very characteristic s that set Wagyu apart from other beef breeds.

It has recently become possible in Australia to test for a number of autosomal recessive diseases, known to be present in the Wagyu herd in Japan and therefore by inference in the Australian herd. Because there is no environmental contribution to these disorders they are capable of complete eradication from the national herd. It would be easier and less costly to achieve this sooner when the total Wagyu herd is relatively small than later when the herd is much larger. There is a financial price, which results from the presence of these disorders. Economic modelling by Initio et al 2007 evaluated the economic loss per annum across the Japanese herd of 628,000 animals created by using carrier sires of two recessive disorders and assessed them to be $US 48,575,800 for band 3 and $US 74,418,000 for Claudin 16. A significant impact!

Heavy selection pressure is necessary because the very principal that selects for the desired characteristic to be enhanced also inadvertently selects for characteristics that are neither advantageous nor disadvantageous and for characteristics that are injurious to the life or health of the offspring. Some of the latter are grouped together and are referred to as autosomal recessive diseases. These are entirely inherited disorders and are not unique to Wagyu. Their presence does not pose any health risk to humans.

The article on the cover outlines a number of breeding options that can be used to eradicate the mutant gene. This means that the presence of such recessive conditions is a manageable problem and not a commercial disaster for the seed stock producer. There is no need for a mass culling program. Likewise there is no need to avoid genetics that has served us well in the past. Reference was made in the last edition of the Wagyu Update to TF147 Itoshigefuji which is a known carrier of the Chediak Higachi syndrome (CHS). This bull is far too important in the establishment of the national female herd for his genetics to be discarded. It is possible for his positive influence to remain and dominate for years to come.

The standing joke, of course, is that when genetic improvement is achieved the process is referred to as line breeding. When the outcomes are unfavourable references are made to inbreeding.

The pool of genetic material imported from Japan in the 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is too restricted to allow us the luxury of wasting what we have. In recognition of this the AWA council has spent the past twelve months developing a management plan to deal with

CONTRIbutors

disclaimer

writers Enoch Bergman, Ian Marsh, Francesca Galea, Michael Beattie.

wagyu breedplan executive officer Michael Beattie email michael.beattie@abri.une.edu.au phone 02 6773 3355 | fax 02 6772 5376 Australian Wagyu Association, ABRI, University of New England, ARMIDALE NSW 2351 AUSTRALIA

designer/PUBLISHER Heather Frazier email heather@squishcreative.com phone 0432 949 764

MAGAZINE ENQUIRIES phone 02 6773 3138 email office@wagyu.org.au

service by the magazine of the Association, nor

Editor Angus McClure email auswagyu@bigpond.com phone 0400 435 631

The views expressed in the Wagyu Update are not necessarily those of the Australian Wagyu Update or the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of any product or support any claims by the advertisers. Published by Squish Creative. Printed by Litho Art.

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

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wagyu news

Wagyu breed certification scHeme moves closer to reality “Phil Green” Industry consultant Phil Green delivers his presentation on the

“Phil Green” Industry consultant Phil Green delivers his presentation on the Wagyu certification proposal during the Coffs harbour conference.

left

the australian Wagyu industry’s Wagyu certification move proposal towards during the establishing a breed Coffs harbour conference. certification scheme to underpin the integrity of product described as Wagyu beef was outlined during this year’s aWa annual conference in coffs Harbour.

this. The executive officer and three board members visited a number of research establishments on a fact finding mission in Japan in February 2009. Consultations with the University of Queensland and Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) at Camden, NSW has lead to the development and implementation of a formal gene testing program specific to these conditions. Initial evaluation verification and accuracy testing has been completed and the test is now available for commercial use. A number of management programs have been devised and are available for consultation on the AWA website. The AWA has tested the most commonly used sires on the approved sire list and posted the results on the same website. A decision has been made that all future sire candidates considered for inclusion will be required to undergo formal gene testing. The Japanese experience in undertaking a program similar to this has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the incidence of affected offspring, the complete eradication of the condition from some sire lines and the expectation that this success will translate in time to complete removal of all known autosomal genetic conditions from the Japanese herd. By applying the same discipline in Australia we can achieve the same result!

Angus McClure

yearly planner Expressions of interest Want to advertise your genetics, stud or future sale in 2011? The AWA are calling for expressions of interest from advertisers to be involved. To register your interest, contact Michael Beattie AWA Executive Officer via email michael.beattie@abri.une.edu.au

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changes in direction over the structure of the Meat industry consultant Phil Green delivered certification process from the original concept a presentation to members on the current state developed a year ago. This came as a result of of play in the development of the program. Mr comprehensive discussions with both Fullblood Green is working with an AWA appointed steering committee to work through the complex process of producers seven or eight large-scale Wagyu from page 3 - Breed Certification Scheme to be able to nominate the group of marketers, brand drivers, and retailer/food developing a ‘seal of authenticity’ for Wagyu beef. registered sires (in multiple sire mated Initially, two options were explored to service operators. Collectively, this group is “Everybody in this room has probably been to a herds) responsible for producing the underpin the integrity of the program, probably responsible for 80-90 percent of all restaurant or hotel somewhere offering a Wagyu calves. That will provide the key to the verifying that statements about Wagyu Australian Wagyu and Wagyu cross beef sold steak at $10 or $15 a serve, raising very strong DNA verification process, allowing product are true and correct: into Australian and international markets. questions about whether it was really Wagyu,” monitors to trace any animals, matching n riding on the back of the MSA One of the key messages from these he told the gathering. them back to one of the nominated quality system, where auditing is stakeholders was that the earlier proposed “The question the consumer wants answered is, sires. Other traceability provisions are already occurring making it easy three-tiered content labels (‘Fullblood’ ‘Crossbred is this really Wagyu? Often they don’t on know lot claims. planned right through the supply chain. to build for abreed For Wagyu minimum content 93.75pc’ and “Crossbred about the product, and simplynon wantMSA to know they The end objective would be simple, users, a cost of $2 per Wagyu minimum 50pc’) would offer little are getting the real thing,” he head said. would apply yet content robust traceability, backed up by real value. Potentially, also provide random they DNAcould audits. n Using AusMeat or some other customers with an opportunity cut price on “Based on a likelytovolume of cattle independent auditing body, which different product carrying similarthe level being gradeda under new scheme, could involve dedicated Wagyu tHe question tHe consumer Wants of marbling, which could deterestimates marketingthe cost per the committee auditors working with licensees ansWered is, is tHis really Wagyu? companies from supporting the scheme. beast will be about $10, transacted by to monitor the system.

from page 3 - Breed Certification Scheme

Initially, two options were explored to underpin the integrity of the program, verifying that statements about Wagyu product are true and correct:

Most stakeholders supported a muchthe simpler the company completing E-dec. A final review of the auditing body system, using The two, system third-party ‘seals’to wascertified not designed and audit process is underway. carrying eithergenerate a crossbred content Other issues driving the need for a certification profit, simplyofto50% coverorcosts From a licensing perspective, Fullblood Wagyu in order to deliver thecontent integrityasseal” scheme included responses to customer complaints more, or a 100% producers, lotfeeders, processors and the case mightMr be.Green said. directed to the association; the prospect of other operators involved in the scheme changes to international laws surrounding the Mr Green stressed that certification One of thethe real challenges to the will need to be licensed, at nil cost, use of the word Wagyu; and increasing scrutiny forward be the need scheme not be going confused with will a brand while wholesalers, food service and shouldscheme put forward your views from regulatory bodies like AQIS about claims for broader community awareness, program, but was simply designed to verify breed in retail operators would also need to Any Wagyu industry stakeholders over breed content in beef products, ranging order it to gain any andfor traceability. Fortraction. this reason be licensed if they wanted tocontent use the integrity who have not yet engaged with the from burger patties to high-end steaks. Mr Green issues like freedom from HGPstages, (essentially “In the initial there unused would steering committee to put forward Australian Certified Wagyu seal. said the primary purpose of any scheme would in the Wagyu industry due their impact on be a need fortosignificant promotional their views on the Breed Certification All standards will be incorporated in be underpinning the integrity of breed content marbling) is not incorporated the standard, activity in order into to build that Scheme are invited to do so. an annual audit, and a DNA verification with DNA traceability, and giving the consumer but is as left to brand owners he to promote themselves, awareness,” said. Contact the AWA office by traceback program will be applied confidence in the proposed seal, so there was no they see fit. Whilst the program is well advanced, email office@wagyu.org.au part of that process. From theasproducer doubt about the name ‘Wagyu’ on a product. “The seal designed support is importantisnot to rushto the final or fax 02 6772 1943 selling into the feedlot, or the feedlot to ofitauthenticity Recently the AWA steering committeewhen working brand claims –stages, not compete with he said. on carrying outthem,” due diligence the processor, they fill out their with Mr Green have takenvendor some significant Continued page 8 the details right. n getting declaration, they would need www.wagyu.org.au 8

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riding on the back of the MSA quality system, where auditing is already occurring making it easy to build on for breed claims. For non MSA users, a cost of $2 per head would apply

Using AusMeat or some other independent auditing body, which could involve dedicated Wagyu auditors working with licensees to monitor the system.

A final review of the auditing body and audit process is underway.

put forward your views Any Wagyu industry stakeholders who have not yet engaged with the steering committee to put forward their views on the Breed Certification Scheme are invited to do so. Contact the AWA office by email office@wagyu.org.au or fax 02 6772 1943

3 australian wagyu update i december 2009

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From a licensing perspective, producers, lotfeeders, processors and other operators involved in the scheme will need to be licensed, at nil cost, while wholesalers, food service and retail operators would also need to be licensed if they wanted to use the Australian Certified Wagyu seal. All standards will be incorporated in an annual audit, and a DNA verification traceback program will be applied as part of that process. From the producer selling into the feedlot, or the feedlot to the processor, when they fill out their vendor declaration, they would need

to be able to nominate the group of registered sires (in multiple sire mated herds) responsible for producing the calves. That will provide the key to the DNA verification process, allowing monitors to trace any animals, matching them back to one of the nominated sires. Other traceability provisions are planned right through the supply chain. The end objective would be simple, yet robust traceability, backed up by random DNA audits. “Based on a likely volume of cattle being graded under the new scheme, the committee estimates the cost per beast will be about $10, transacted by the company completing the E-dec. The system was not designed to generate profit, simply to cover costs in order to deliver the integrity seal” Mr Green said. One of the real challenges to the scheme going forward will be the need for broader community awareness, in order for it to gain any traction. “In the initial stages, there would be a need for significant promotional activity in order to build that awareness,” he said. Whilst the program is well advanced, it is important not to rush the final stages, carrying out due diligence on getting the details right. n

australian wagyu update i december 2009

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10/12/09 10:48 AM

Certification of Wagyu Beef Wagyu beef has established itself as the ultimate beef eating experience, with prices to match. These high prices encourage market substitution with inferior products claiming the virtues of Wagyu beef. Which in turn leads to bad eating experiences, wallet damage and ultimately loss of Wagyu consumers. To protect the Wagyu beef market and ensure product quality our Wagyu beef needs to be certified. There is no other option. And yet both Wagyu Fullblood and Wagyu Crossbred producers claim – with considerable vitriol – that under the proposed Wagyu Beef Certification Scheme they are disadvantaged and the other fellows have the advantage. They can’t both be right. If Fullblood and Crossbred Wagyu producers cannot agree, then eventually our markets will be corrupted by inferior product and there’ll only be the producers to blame. We simply have to get together on this one. Peter W Bishop, former President, AWA

Want to share your views? Then email us at office@wagyu.org.au

Wagyu News

from page 1 - Genetic conditions in Wagyu

References

Hirayama, H., S. Kageyama, S. Moriyasu, T. Hirano, Y. Sugimoto, N. Kobayashi, M. Inaba, K. Sawai, S. Onoe, and A. Minamihashi. 2004. Genetic diagnosis of claudin-16 deficiency and sex determination in bovine preimplantation embryos. J Reprod Dev 50:613-8.

2. Kageyama, S., H. Hirayama, S. Moriyasu, M. Inaba, D. Ito, H. Ohta, K. Sawai, A. Minamihashi, and S. Onoe. 2006. Genetic diagnosis of band 3 deficiency and sexing in bovine preimplantation embryos. J Vet Med Sci 68:319-23. 3. Kunieda, M., T. Tsuji, A. R. Abbasi, M. Khalaj, M. Ikeda, K. Miyadera, H. Ogawa, and T. Kunieda. 2005. An insertion mutation of the bovine Fii gene is responsible for factor XI deficiency in Japanese black cattle. Mamm Genome 16:383-9. 4. Kunieda, T., M. Nakagiri, M. Takami, H. Ide, and H. Ogawa. 1999. Cloning of bovine LYST gene and identification of a missense mutation associated with Chediak-Higashi syndrome of cattle. Mamm Genome 10:1146-9.

Discussions between the Australian Wagyu Association, Industry and Investment, NSW and researchers from Japan have identified five genetic conditions (listed below with a brief description of each) in the Wagyu breed that are of particular interest. All five conditions are autosomal recessive and have been extensively studied in Japan. Diagnostic assays have been developed in Japan where testing is now routine in the Japanese Black cattle industry. Assays for all five conditions have been established at EMAI. ■■ Chediak Higashi Syndrome (CHS)4, a bleeding condition where animals generally have a compromised immune system making them prone to infection. The condition is characterised by animals with an unusually pale coat colour. The first indication of this condition in affected calves is an unusual umbilical cord haemorrhage at parturition. ■■ Spherocystosis (B3)2, a condition of the surface membrane of red blood cells (RBC or erythrocytes) resulting in spherically shaped RBC rather than bi-concave disk shaped RBC. These misshaped but otherwise normal RBC are mistaken by the body as abnormal RBC and destroyed. Ultimately affected animals destroy their own blood supply a condition known as autohemolysis. Cattle with this condition are anaemic and mortality normally occurs within the 7 days after birth. Some cases live to adulthood but there is a severe retardation in growth. ■■ Claudin 16 (CL16)1, is a condition that results in inflammation of the kidney better known as chronic interstitial nephritis (CIN). This condition is characterised by elevated blood urea, nitrogen and creatinine levels that usually results in terminal kidney failure. The onset of this condition can occur at any time from late adolescence. Cattle are unlikely to live more than 6 years. ■■ Factor 13 (F13), is a protein responsible for the formation of blood clots. In Factor 13 affected animals a clot will still develop but it will remain unstable, eventually the clot breaks down and bleeding resumes. Bleeding immediately after surgery is usually not excessive, but can be delayed. In calves, haemorrhaging is likely to occur in the hindquarter causing blood to pool and stagnate under the hide. In adult cattle, minor trauma (such as hitting the animal) can cause a major haemorrhage at the trauma site. Prolonged bleeding is usually associated with trauma. ■■ Factor XI (F11)3, Factor 11 is a plasma protein that participates in the formation of blood clots. Factor XI is a more mild blood clotting disorder in Wagyu. Affected animals show prolonged bleeding time and abnormal plasma coagulation after trauma or surgical procedures. With DNA-based tests the genetic status of each animal tested will be reported as either free, carrier or affected. A normal (homozygous normal) result indicates that the animal tested has been found to be free of the condition and has two copies of the normal gene in question. Whereas, a carrier result indicates that the animal tested is heterozygous for the mutation, meaning that it has one normal gene and one mutant gene. The final result is affected (homozygous mutant) meaning that the animal tested posses’ two copies of the mutant gene. Given that autosomal recessive conditions are usually lethal in affected animals these are rarely identified in the laboratory.

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

Wagyu News

Unlike diseases that are the result of pathogenic agents such as bacteria or viruses that may result in heavy losses of animals and major de-contamination procedures, genetic conditions are not contagious and cannot be transmitted merely by animalto-animal contact. Control of genetic conditions requires good management practices. Many management options exist for the control of genetic conditions and these are formulated based on the individual needs and requirements of each enterprise. These include: test all animals and remove carriers, test all animals and use carriers only in terminal breeding programmes or test sires and only use non-carrier bulls for breeding. This will eliminate affected progeny and decrease the number of carriers over time. This is not an exhaustive list of strategies and other strategies do exist. Autosomal recessive conditions can be perpetuated in cross-breeds. First crosses are unlikely to produce any affected progeny (unless both breeds have the disease), but there is increased risk of increasing the prevalence of the

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defective gene in the carrier state. Subsequent inter-breeding of cross-bred animals are likely to produce additional carriers and affected cases. Animals with a known carrier status can be used for breeding. However, follow-up testing of all progeny would be essential to develop future breeding strategies. When using carrier animals for breeding, you can expect approximately 50% of the progeny to be carriers (this expectation is statistically based, however, each mating is an individual event so the stated 50% may not be observed, even over many repeated mating events). Carrier animals can be culled, separated or used with care. The remaining progeny will be non-carriers and can be used to perpetuate phenotypically and/or quantitatively selected superior production traits. Continued breeding by joining two carrier animals is not recommended due to the risk of producing affected animals. The important thing to remember with autosomal recessive conditions is that they are a challenge to be managed not feared. n

wagyu’s finest in-store

Coles Wagyu burgers hit the premium spot National supermarket retailer Coles has broken new ground in launching a line of Wagyu sausages and beef patties onto the Australian market.

The new ‘Coles Finest’ Wagyu sausage and burger pattie range incorporates classy black trays and MAP packaging for superior presentation and shelf-life.

TOP

The new product line, positioned under the ‘Coles Finest’ in-house label, is believed to be the first example of a major Australian supermarket chain offering a Wagyu beef item in its meat department. A company statement said Coles was reinventing its meat case, launching the series of Wagyu items in a move designed to make the gourmet products traditionally found only in specialist retailers and top restaurants more accessible.

“Supermarket shoppers shouldn’t have to settle for second best, and with the new Wagyu products they won’t have to.”

The company’s general manager of meat, Allister Watson, said customers wanted quality without necessarily paying restaurant prices.

The burgers and sausages are produced internally at the Coles/Australian Country Choice value-adding facility at Cannon Hill in Brisbane and at a Coles facility in Melbourne, using quality Wagyu F1 and higher lean trim sourced from major Wagyu suppliers. The items are sold in eye-catching black and gold

“Coles scours the country to find the finest local products and we’re particularly proud to be able to offer our customers our new Wagyu range,” he said.

The new items, available in selected stores, include the ‘Coles Finest’ Wagyu Beef Burger, Wagyu Beef Burger with Mushrooms and a Wagyu Beef, Mushroom and Shiraz Sausage.The newly-released products continued to reaffirm the quality of Coles branded products, Mr Watson said.

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

labelled, modified-atmosphere packs offering extended shelf-life and appealing visual presentation. Mr Watson said the new sausage and pattie line, which also included an Angus burger pattie, was arguably one of the most successful new red meat products Coles had ever launched. The ACC valueadding production line had operated at capacity to keep up with the consumer demand since a soft launch in January.

the response from customers has really surprised us “The response from customers has really surprised us. Despite having little real promotion apart from some mentions in Coles product catalogues, as soon as the items appeared on the shelves, customers got into them,” he said. Best of all, the new business was incremental volume and sales, not eating

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into sales of traditional steak and other cuts. Because Coles did not have a strong burger proposition previously, it went to consumers to identify what they were looking for, when looking at new product options. What emerged is essentially a home-style burger using high quality ingredients, including some with added flavours and independently verified breed claims. Beyond superior ingredients, the ‘Coles Finest’ burger and sausage range carries lower levels of preservatives and additives, again responding to consumer signals over more wholesome, minimallyprocessed items. The product’s food safety integrity is preserved not only through the use of MAP, but also superior supply chain and cold-chain management to deliver shelf-life performance. Mr Watson said Coles planned to release more premium-type beef products under its Coles Finest category. The premium burger/sausage range was just the start of a series of items being developed this year that would add value,

particularly to the lesser cuts and by-products from the supply chain. “We need to make sure that we keep offering good value right across the range, but at the same time making sure that in newer premium products that we charge more for, that they really do live up to the customer’s expectations,” he said. The trend towards premium products has recently been identified in retailing/ marketing circles, particularly in the US. It comes as a result of a distinct move to house-brands in supermarket retailing over the past 15 months as a cost-saving measure by consumers during the Global Economic Crisis. Some retailers are now looking at ways of extending their offer in the home-brand segment now that it has captured a larger share of the shopping dollar, and offering more premium options is seen by some stakeholders as a smart move – especially as the economic recovery phase gains momentum and consumers start to open their wallets a little wider. n

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australian wagyu Update I April 2010

paddock to plate

mayura station: beefing up the business

South Australia’s Mayura Station has now become one of the largest Fullblood Wagyu Beef producers in the nation.

The Millicent-based company, which is owned and operated by the de Bruin Family, has firmly established itself as a major stakeholder in the production of Fullblood (FB) Wagyu Beef in Australia with the outright purchase of two complete Wagyu businesses and three additional volume purchases of FB breeding cattle. The entire breeding operation of the Victoria-based Samurai Farms and Yandra Partnership, which equates to over 800 FB breeders and their calves, are among the latest acquisitions. In addition, Mayura Station has added close to 200 FB Wagyu breeding cows and heifers from Kuro Kin, Wagyu Genetics and Peppermill Grove, making the total herd of 1700 breeding cows one of the largest 100 per cent Wagyu herds outside of Japan. Mayura Station managing partner Scott de Bruin says his company has set a target of 2000 breeders to produce progeny for the Mayura Station branded beef program. Focussing breeding on AI, Mayura Station has established a performance breeding program, with progeny testing encompassing data from the breeding program, backgrounding, feedlotting and carcase data.

top left Mayura Station tasting room scheduled to open in May 2010. top right Mayura Wagyu, major stakeholder in production of Fullblood Wagyu Beef in Australia.

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“We’ve also acquired an additional truck-mounted feedlot mixer and built nine backgrounding pens with total capacity of 900 head in order to meet the nutritional requirements of weaned Continued page12

Wagyu News

In a serious take on the “paddock to plate” concept, customers will soon be able to try before they buy....

from page 11 - Mayura Station

FB calves prior to induction into the undercover Aus-Meat accredited feedlot,” Mr de Bruin explains. The multi-million dollar investment follows overwhelming demand for the Mayura Wagyu brand, which is regarded as world class for product quality, purity and culinary excellence. With marketing activity focussed mainly on export in South East Asia and United Arab Emirates, Mayura products are rarely seen in Australia. “For a long time now, meeting strong export demand has been the company’s biggest hurdle as there are such lengthy time frames associated with this type of operation, but our considerable investment in more cattle should help overcome this,” Mr de Bruin explains. In a serious take on the “paddock to plate” concept, customers will soon be able to try before they buy right on the property at the tasting room. Scheduled to open in May 2010, this fine dining experience is set for 14 guests, but is licensed to host groups of up to 40. “It will be similar to a cellar door with a designated tasting area, however it will be more industry-focused, in an environment designed to mirror the state-of-the-art Teppanyaki bars of which many of our clients are accustomed,” Mr de Bruin explains. Visitors will be able to see how the livestock is raised, and then experience various cooking styles through a simple tasting, vertical tasting, fine dining from $80pp through to full degustation menus with matched local wines from $120pp. All options include a private consultation with Mayura Station’s own Chef. The company regularly hosts representatives from the domestic and international tourism and hospitality industry on-site, in order to demonstrate the differences in its product. Mr de Bruin says the tasting room provides an opportunity for guests to experience Mayura Wagyu as fresh as possible without having to go to a fine dining restaurant. “A lot of executive chefs from international hotel chains come from a pristine environment such as the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo and Singapore. They are seeking more than a friendly drive around the paddock, so by offering them an environment which is similar to theirs, we hope to demonstrate commitment, knowledge and an understanding of their industry,” he says.

in 1998, Mayura Station has made an exemplary commitment to ensuring that the ancestry, bloodlines and pedigree of its herd are a major distinguishing factor from other industry players. In keeping with the company philosophy “Excellence without compromise”, all Wagyu Beef sold with the Mayura Station brand is guaranteed fullblood, with its own characteristic tenderness and complexity of flavour. n

Lone Mountain Cattle Company invites you to the Largest FeMaLe FuLLbLood Wagyu saLe in u.s. history, with: i

25 FuLLbLood FeMaLe Lots Pregnant and open heifers and cows and pairs;

sale 3rd annual fullblood wagyu

april 17 th 2010

15 reCips

Pregnant or with Fullblood Wagyu calf-by-side or both (three-in-ones); i

production

Only the best buLLs in our herd All with fantastic Across Wagyu Breed EPD’s accompanied by easy-to-read graphs.

Bloodlines from the following tremendous wagyu sires will Be represented

i i i i i i i i i i i i

This sale will be broadcast on the internet. Real time bidding and proxy bidding available.

i i i

Fukutsuru 068 Michifuku Sanjirou Yojimbo Kikuhana Kitaguni Jr Takazakura TF Itohana 2 Shigeshigetani Hirashigetayasu ETJ001 Kitateruyasudoi ETJ 003 Itoshigenami TF148 Itoshigefuji TF147 Shigeshigetani Itozurudoi TF151

for more information & to recieve a catalogue, contact: Robert and Mary Lloyd Estrin - Owners Stanley Hartman - Ranch Manager 1818 AB NM 14, Golden, New Mexico 87047 tel (505) 281 1432 email info@LoneMountainCattle.com

www.LoneMountainCattle.com

Importing its first live fullblood Wagyu cattle from Japan

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

www.wagyu.org.au

product information

GENESIS Pour-On - Double The Strength - Half The Dose Genesis Pour-On contains ivermectin, a macrocyclic lactone (ML) anthelmintic. The key advantage of ivermectin is its ability to effectively control a wide range of internal and external parasites. Genesis Pour on has a broad spectrum of activity against gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, both sucking and biting lice, mites, cattle tick and buffalo fly. The unique oil-based formulation of Genesis Pour-On contains 10mg/ ml of ivermectin, which is twice the usual concentration of ML pour-ons. This means Genesis Pour-On is applied at the rate of 1mL per 20kg of liveweight. Genesis Pour-On can be applied to cattle at several key treatment times throughout the year, which should generally be tailored to the production system and climate. Your local veterinarian or animal health advisor can provide you with more information on treatment programs suited to your production system. It is good practice to conduct worm egg counts both before and after drenching in order to identify which stock require treatment, and to check to see if the drench used has been effective. EPRICARE Pour-On Longer Protection Against More Worm Species

Buying the best for your herd With so many pour-on products in the marketplace, it is important to remember the advantages of buying a quality product. Ancare has a range of products for the control of internal and external parasites of cattle. With the recent addition of Epricare to the Ancare cattle pour-on arsenal, cattle producers can now choose from three Ancare pour-on products to suit their management system and requirements. The quality pour-on endectocides from Ancare are available at CRT stores with convenience of use, efficacy and value for money in mind. Each Ancare pour-on product has been shown in studies to be effective when applied to cattle shortly before rainfall. Epricare in particular has unique “weatherproof” qualities that ensure its efficacy when used in extremes of temperature (both heat and cold) when applied before and after rain. Contact your local CRT store, the exclusive stockists of Ancare products, for more advice on the quality Ancare cattle pour-on range or contact the Ancare technical helpline direct on 1800 001 973.

A recent addition to the Ancare pour-on range is Epricare Pour-On. Epricare contains the potent ML molecule eprinomectin. Some of the key advantages of eprinomectin are its very high potency against gastrointestinal roundworms, its rapid speed of kill and resultant prompt reduction in pasture contamination (worm egg production), and its demonstrated potency against a wide range of roundworm species. Productivity studies have shown that the use of Epricare improves liveweight gains in growing stock, as well as improved reproductive performance in breeders including reduced calving to conception intervals. The eprinomectin molecule, despite its high potency, has zero milk and meat withholding periods, allowing a high level of flexibility in its use. GENESIS ULTRA Pour-On - Kills All Three Stages Of Liver Fluke In Cattle Genesis Ultra Pour-On was developed for the control of liver fluke in beef cattle grazing in endemic areas. Genesis Ultra Pour-On (“Ultra”) combines both abamectin, a potent ML endectocide for the control of internal and external parasites, with triclabendazole, a potent flukicide. The key advantage of Ultra is its convenient pouron method of application, which has superseded the use of injectable and oral flukicides in many situations. Ultra is effective against all stages of liver fluke (early immature, immature and mature fluke), and is generally applied to susceptible stock in late autumn / early winter and spring. The autumn treatment removes existing fluke burdens from cattle when there is little potential for reinfection due to the reduced presence of snails (the intermediate host of liver fluke) and metacercariae (infective larval fluke) on pasture. Treatment again in spring removes any flukes that might have survived the winter period inside stock, thus helping to prevent pasture contamination as the snail intermediate host becomes active with the onset of warmer weather. In warmer areas like northern NSW, where infective stages may survive on pasture over winter, additional treatments may be required.

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

IT’S YOUR CHOICE

PICK THE BONUS THAT SUITS YOU This season we’re giving you two great bonus choices! Buy 10 litres of Genesis Pour-on, and you can either choose to receive a huge Kincrome Tool Box for your ute or you can choose our Value Pack featuring a bonus 2.5 litres with your 10 litre purchase. What will you choose – Bonus Kincrome Tool Box or Bonus Product? It’s a win-win either way, so talk to your CRT local bloke as soon as you can. While Whi Wh W hile h e stocks ks last ks la lasstt

ROME C N I K BONUS L BOX SE TOO PURCHA L VERY 10 WITH E

VALUE P ACK WI TH BONUS 2 WITH EV . 5 L ERY 10L

Double strength (1mL/20kg dose rate) Broad spectrum* – controls all major internal and external parasites including roundworms, lungworm, buffalo fly (up to 21 days), cattle tick, mites, biting and sucking lice. Nil milk withholding period †

PURCHA

21 day meat withholding period 21 day export slaughter interval 21 day re-treatment interval Dung beetle population friendly†

* See product label for full claims. Reference - National Regulatory Authority Special Review of Macrocyclic Lactones (1998)

Ancare Australia Pty Ltd, Level 6, 79 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 (ABN 73 076 252 241). GENESIS is a registered trademark of Ancare. © Copyright 2009 Ancare Australia Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. GENE-10-001.

ANCARE TECHNICAL HELPLINE

1800 001 973

www.wagyu.org.au

ANC1912

Veterinary advice

BVDV and lotfeeding wagyu Many Wagyu breeders are aware of the potentially crippling effect Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) can have on their herd’s reproductive performance, but the damage PI calves produce doesn’t stop there. When a PI joins a new management group, any animals in that group without prior immunity from previous exposure to BVDV or vaccination with Pestigard can suffer. The feedlot is no exception to this rule. As veterinary researchers continue to unravel the story of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex, their appreciation of BVDV’s role continues to grow. Lotfed Wagyu calves are too valuable to gamble with. Not only will PI calves impact the health and performance of their pen mates early in the feeding period, but further putting $1200 to $1600 dollars worth of feed and yardage fees into an animal that isn’t likely to perform and much more likely to die is akin to madness. Screening calves prior to entry to find and cull PI’s may not pencil out for shortfed shorthorn calves from Waytobuggery NT, but it should return dividends for lofted Wagyu animals. The Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Complex is recognized as the most costly disease syndrome affecting lot fed calves, including Wagyu, in Australia. The Australian Meat Research Council estimated that BRD was responsible for 50% to 90% of sickness and death in Australian feedlot cattle amounting to an overall cost of near $60 per fed animal. BRD is a complicated and multifactoral disease process. The role of BVDV both as a primary respiratory agent and working in synergy with other disease agents has been well described, but meaningfully

story by Enoch Bergman DVM Swans Veterinary Services

attributing the appropriate proportion of BRD associated losses to the BVDV virus has been fairly elusive. The Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex is classically defined as the synergistic effects of environmental stressors, host immunity, and the infectious viral and bacterial agents most commonly associated with the syndrome. Classically BVDV suppresses the immune system, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) disables the filtering ability of the upper respiratory system and trachea, and the bacteria Mannheimia haemolytica colonizes the lung tissue resulting in bronchopneumonia. BVDV is primarily transmitted by persistently infected (PI) animals. Due to their immuno-tolerance, PI animals live their entire lives with tremendous amounts of virus in all of their tissues and continually shed huge quantities of virus. These PI’s may go on to infect a pregnant animal, and if the gestational age of her pregnancy is appropriate, she will produce another PI, repeating the cycle. In this manner the virus stays within a given beef herd. If any of these animals make it to the feedlot they can act as extremely efficient vectors for the virus and can quickly spread the virus to their penmates and to the calves in adjacent pens. Guy Loneragan, an Australian feedlot consultant working in Texas was one of the first researchers to put a bit of a cost to the impact of PI animals on lot fed calves. He found that pens that had exposure to a PI (either within the pen or over the fence) suffered a 41% higher incidence of respiratory disease. Bill Hessman, a feedlot consultant from Kansas, filled in more of the information gaps looking at groups of calves commingled upon entry into a large starter feed yard. He found that calves

in pens which contained PI’s performed over the 60 day feeding period behind unexposed pens by over $65 per fed animal! Quite simply put, if a PI comes in contact with non immune pen mates whilst at the feedlot, those animals will suffer a reduction in the efficiency of their immune system’s ability to defend against other pathogens such IBR and M. haemolytica. This is most critical in the first month on feed for feeder calves. Vaccinating calves prior to entry to the feedyard with Pestigard or Bovilis MH will reduce the impact of both BVDV and M. Haemoltyica. Rhinogard is a modified live vaccine available for use at feedlot entry for the management of IBR. PI’s may disrupt feed efficiency and the health of their pen mates over the first month on feed, after which the pen should settle down. However, and perhaps more importantly and of special interest to Wagyu feeders, the longer PI animals live, the more likely they are to die, initially appearing as individual animals not keeping up with the rest of the pen. In Hessman’s trial half of the PI’s finished the 120 day feeding period and made it to the kill floor. The other half either died or were salvaged for pet food. As Wagyu’s are fed much longer, and at a substantially higher total cost, identifying PI’s represents an opportunity to cull affected calves before investing 400 days worth of feed. Similar to Loneragan’s study, 1618 Angus cross calves have been tested on arrival in ten consecutive pens at Killara as part of a trial put together by Tony Batterham and myself. The initial data showed that exposure to a PI more than doubled the likelihood of an animal being pulled for treatment for respiratory disease. While this is exciting information, demonstrating trends mirroring some of the US data, the small size of the trial precludes significance.

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

further information Contact Dr. Bergman email: enoch@swansvet.com phone: 0427 716 907, or visit the website www.swansvet.com

PI NONE

Figure 1 - Relative respiratory pull rate

NPI

200%

150% 100%

50% 0

PEN NUMBER

www.wagyu.org.au

Figure 1 demonstrates relative pull rates between pens categorized as containing a PI (PI), having fence line exposure to a PI (NPI), or no PI exposure at all (NONE). Pens are listed from best to worst performance regarding pull rate. The sheer mass of overseas data conclusively shows that BVDV plays a significant role in the US feedlot industry. The Australian feedlotting industry seems to suffer the same degree of frustration dealing with BRD as their US counterparts. It is logical to assume that proactive management of BVDV with strategic ear notch testing and solid preconditioning programs including the use of Pestigard should reduce the impact of BVDV and hence BRD. n

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

update on certification scheme

Wagyu Certification Scheme Update The Australian Wagyu Association Council met in February 2010. An entire day was allocated for an overview by the Council of all research, industry feedback and modeling of the Certification Scheme.

on sale NOW 40..... 2 to 3 year old Fullblood bulls For full pedigree details of each animal, visit the AWA website for details under owner MCK.

www. wagyu.org.au have a few more questions? Phone Rob McCosker on 07 4982 1002 or 0428 799 452

~ JL & RM McCosker “Codendwarra” 634 Foley Road EMERALD QLD ~

www.wagyu.org.au

It has become clear as a result of exhaustive industry consultation that there is an extremely wide range of opinions on the scheme. All communication both oral and written was considered in depth and has taken the AWA Council down many views. As expected, the majority of feedback reflected the particular interests of individual members and their current business models. The AWA Council has attempted to reconcile as far as possible the divergent ideas into a format which will fulfill our mandate to regulate, research and promote the Wagyu breed. The AWA Council is charged with the responsibility of furthering the interests of the membership as a whole. The AWA Council is continuing to liaise with domestic retailers and international marketers of Wagyu product to fine tune the scheme design. At present the following items are under continuing investigation as they may impact upon the final modeling of the scheme: ■■ Breed descriptors (International & Domestic) ■■ Japan’s own Wagyu Certification scheme ■■ Certification schemes of multiple food & fibre industries ■■ International legal issues ■■ USDA discussions with Japan in regard to Wagyu descriptors At the Annual Wagyu Association Conference scheduled for September 2010 in Canberra, time has been allocated in the agenda for further update of the Certification Scheme. n

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

the executive officer report

Members, welcome to our first Edition for 2010…… Lets hope this year will be a brighter year for business! As mentioned in our last edition, I was fortunate enough to spend the second half of 2009 in the US while my wife was undertaking a sabbatical at UI in Northern Idaho. Our children came with us and they had a wonderful opportunity to experience a semester in a US school and forge new friends. Although I spent much of my time as the domesticated home dad! I managed to keep a “remote” eye on this organisation plus get out and meet our US counterparts and see first hand the American Wagyu Industry. WAGYU ENDORSEMENT SCHEME AWA has spent a considerable amount of time on this important issue. In December the sub-committee requested further consultation from industry which has provided constructive dialogue from which we are working through to produce the best model. AWA appreciate the input by those interested parties. At the most recent council meeting a summary of all member submissions and research thus far was presented. The scheme is still a work in progress and the final model will be aimed at the benefit of the entire Australian Wagyu Industry. GENETIC TESTING AWA council last year approved the development and testing for genetic conditions (or disorders) that exist within the Wagyu population. It has taken an exhaustive 12 months of collaborative work but I am pleased to say that a test panel is now available and the AWA are currently finalising pricing arrangements with EMAI and the necessary protocol for members. With the pending release of the 50 most influential sires in our own population, AWA will investigate software that will identify “at risk” individuals that you, as breeders can utilize when making joining decisions. This is very much a work in progress and as new information comes to hand, the membership will be informed. NEW RULES FOR AI SIRES At a recent council meeting the regulations for all AI sires have been updated so now all AI candidates must be tested. AWA is currently undergoing an audit of the Sires www.wagyu.org.au

on the AWA database and a number of individuals have been identified as not being AI approved yet have had semen collected and marketed outside their own herd which, is in breach of our regulations. As the bulls are identified we will be contacting all those members with advice on having those individuals approved for AI. 2010 CONFERENCE The council has recently given the thumbs up to holding our annual Conference in Canberra. Dates are yet to be finalised but we are hoping for mid September. We will do our utmost to avoid any clashes with our beloved sporting finals so as we can attract as many members to the important occasion on the AWA calendar! Stay tuned as more details will be made known in the months leading up to the Conference! Finally, 2010 elections will take place and there are a number of retiring councillors whose positions will become vacant. If you feel you have the skills to bring to the board room table then please, take the time to consider. To have a proactive and productive council, we need a diverse range of skills and abilities. I believe that in the last 5 years this Association has really matured and its achievements would not have happened if it was not for a team of committed councillors who have a passion for the breed and want it to have a future! If you have any questions about the role, don’t hesitate to contact myself or any of the current standing councillors. As a parting comment, the GFC has affected us all and although the worst is behind us we are certainly not out of the woods yet! Until the economies of our major trading partners work through their fiscal deficiencies, it will be a long road of recovery. The 2010 outlook is a little more positive but we all need to remain steadfast and get on with the job we know and love best and that is, breeding functional healthy cattle that produce superior beef for the discerning consumer. I hope that you enjoy this edition.

Michael Beattie 21

ESTABLISHED WAGYU STUD AND RIVER FRONT PROPERTY

for sale

5 BEDROOM HOME + RENOVATED COTTAGE Both with excellent views over the valley

The Mary Valley Wagyu Stud has been operating for eight years on the “Riverpark” property located on the Mary River, 2.5kms south of Kenilworth QLD. We are selling the “Riverpark” property with irrigation for 16ha, water harvesting license with 2kms river frontage plus our quality herd of Wagyu Fullblood Bulls and breeders, F3 and Purebred breeder cattle. Two lots are available (Lot 1 - 35.6ha, Lot 4 - 62.2ha) that is a total of 97.8ha.

MAIN HOUSE The comfortable main house is situated well back from the main entrance and offers complete privacy and beautiful valley views with a large living area, kitchen and bathroom located on the ground floor. Split over two levels, four of the five bedrooms and the second bathroom is located upstairs.

The Mary River property features:

The inground pool is framed with extensive tropical landscaping and the gazebo captures the views over the property and Mary River.

u u u

u u u u

u u

5 bedroom brick and timber home (located on Lot 1) 2 bedroom renovated timber cottage (located on Lot 1) new horse stables (4 stables, concrete tackroom and storage area for float) outdoor riding arena large 2 storey shed with 2 smaller sheds attached timber workshop with 3-phase power almost new steel and timber cattle yards with race, RPM Allrounder cattle crush and headbail, NLIS wand and Ruddweigh 800 scales, plunge dip, loading ramp and covered work station 12 paddocks each with individual water supply 9 dams and a 1.2ha lake, electric bore and windmill.

All the paddocks and water sources are set up to support a breeding operation. Some larger paddocks are used for rotational grazing. There is a secure bull paddock and some small holding paddocks next to the cattle yards.

TIMBER COTTAGE The renovated timber Cottage is separated from the main house. It is self contained, has beautiful polished old timber floors and a private terrace with fantastic views. LOT 4 Lot 4 has no existing buildings but some home sites with 360 degrees views over the valley and river. ASKING PRICE Mid to high 2 million, please call to make an offer.

For further information please visit our website

www.mvwagyu.com or call 0431 065 896

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

Paddock to Plate – via your office

Carpenter’s Ningaloo brand on show top left A

sample of Carpenter’s Ningaloo Wagyu brand showcased in Perth recently. TOP right Chef Tony Long from the Henley Park Bistro, Swan Valley, prepares samples for guests at Carpenter’s recent Perth promotion.

Western Australian Wagyu breeder, lotfeeder and exporter Carpenter Beef showcased its Ningaloo branded Wagyu product to a large audience of invited Perth business identities during February. The promotion was partly driven by a new directsales venture “Paddock to Plate – via your office”, designed to access customers working in Perth’s CBD, with deliveries of Ningaloo Wagyu direct to the office fridge for later home consumption. A Carpenter Beef spokeswoman said the company was excited to be able to give city workers the opportunity to purchase Wagyu beef at producer-direct prices. “The service brings the producer directly to customers, allowing us to pass-on the savings and offer prices a little lower than retail,” she said. The service uses a simple on-line ordering process including flexible payment options, with delivery the same or the following day. “All the customer has to do is bring their

www.wagyu.org.au

cooler bag to the office on delivery day,” the spokeswoman said. The new service stemmed from the high number of sales generated internally from the Carpenter Beef office, not far from the city. Carpenter Beef is on the menu in many of Perth’s high-end restaurants, including the Old Brewery, Fraser’s in King’s Park, Lamont’s in Cottesloe, Bluewater Grill in Applecross and Indiana on Cottesloe Beach. In 2009, WR Carpenter Agriculture was awarded the Food Industry Association WA export award 2009/10, recognising the growing demand for the company’s premium beef and demonstrating increased export sales volume against an overall declining trend in premium beef sales internationally due to the global economic crisis. The company increased its market share by 250 percent in Japan alone. Ningaloo is also sold into South Korea and Hong Kong. The integrated Carpenter business controls a beef herd of about 50,000 head on properties in WA – one of the state’s largest herds - including a small component of Wagyu. n

new competition

New medal chances for producers in Branded Beef Competition The Royal Queensland Show has always been a major supporter of the QLD beef industry and its premier showcase for stud and prime beef cattle. Now in its sixth year, the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show (RQFWS) Branded Beef Competition is now offering Wagyu producers the chance for success with the introduction an entirely new class for Wagyu Beef.

Executive Officer of the AWA Mr. Michael Beattie said of the new class “Wagyu’s unique flavour and superior eating quality characteristics pitch it into a league of its own and with the RNA providing a Wagyu specific class for 2010 it was an opportunity the Association could not but sponsor. Wagyu has positioned itself as an important sector of the Australian Beef Industry and it certainly is a breed that can only improve the position our beef is viewed both here and abroad.” Attracting entries nationwide from all sizes of beef producers, from major multi-national companies to small regional enterprises, the 2010 RQFWS Branded Beef Competition is Australia’s most prestigious and commercially recognised beef competition, providing entrants with valuable feedback and opinion from some of the best and most respected experts in the industry, and an outstanding way to showcase products to both their peers and customers. For the 2009 RQFWS the Branded Beef Competition introduced a level of impartiality unknown in other competitions. Meat samples are cooked (grilled) by leading Department of Primary Industry food scientists, so every piece presented for judging has been prepared to a uniquely similar standard. Judges for 2010 include Michael Crowley from Meat and Livestock Australia; culinary identity Peter Howard; Chairman of Judges for Food Competitions the renowned Russell

Smith; John Kilroy – owner of a number of prestige restaurants such as the steak-Mecca Cha Cha Char; and a number of guest foodie Judges such as Chef David Pugh of local icon Restaurant Two. Products submitted to the competition that attract the required points earn the right to display the gold, silver, bronze or trophy Show Medals. Featuring consistent design and status across all products and classes, they offer consumers the single most authentic and comprehensive guarantee of quality on the Australian market today; an endorsement that will enhance your producer profile, drive sales and grow your business. So if you’re a beef producer with a passion for excellence, the 2010 RQFWS Branded Beef Competition will allow you to put your produce and processes to the definitive test, and become part of a powerful brand in the national food and beverage industry. n

want to know more info Visit www.royalqueenslandshow.com.au 2010 applications close (Branded Beef) May 12 2010 with a $500 fee per entry. The nominated cut for exhibits is a Striploin H.A.M. 2143, which must be delivered on May 26 2010. Judging on June 1 2010. Contact Andrew Tudor (RNA) to enter Phone 07 3253 3921 or Email atudor@royalqueenslandshow.com.au

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

www.wagyu.org.au

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our Agribusiness Managersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; knowledge of the paddock that makes them experts in the field. We recruit Agribusiness Managers from rural and regional Australia. It means that when it comes to talking about beef, our people can offer in-depth financial solutions that are specifically relevant to your industry. To speak to someone who understands Wagyu, contact your local Agribusiness specialist or call AgriLine on 1300 245 463. Ian Mills Rockhampton 0427 371 556

Graeme Nowland James Hindmarsh Townsville Tamworth 0427 755 023 0418 689 248

Warrick Grieve Tamworth 0407 706 179

Matt Whitlock Griffith 0428 470 073

Rick Webb Launceston 0409 315 608

Steve McDonald Theo Anagnostou David Currie South-West VIC Gippsland Mount Gambier 0428 542 417 0428 502 312 0427 002 126 Greg Duver Mount Gambier 0429 650 127

Steve Trinder Perth 0437 205 177

Tim Braslin Perth 0428 540 151

Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. CLA269

australian wagyu Update I April 2010

Kuro Kin Wagyu ~ WhE n you Wa n T T h E bE S T ~

FOR SALE Registered Fullblood Bulls Registered Fullblood Females (Cows and Calves, Heifers)

ALL witH BREEDPLAN DAtA Sires include Kanadagene DM100, Michifuku, ETJ003, Itoshigenami, Shikikan, Goshu Michishige and Fukutsuru 068. • 1000 F1 StEERS & HEiFERS FOR SALE EACH yEAR •

Peter Bishop Jnr

Peter Bishop Snr

Mobile: 0429 454 189 Email: kurokin@bigpond.com

Mobile: 0427 454 157 Email: peterwbishop@bigpond.com

see our website for details