Wagyu World | May / June 2022 1
at the McNeil Ranch in 2 Wagyu World | May / June 2022 Mc Gregor, Texas
ContaCt Jim or Kathy moore 254-723-2977 or 254-379-5064 | Jim.moore@JmKCattle.Com
Llano, TX - 325/247/4217
AP200550 - 2/13/2020
Most Balanced - 60 lbs. BW, Growth & Thickness
“Second” in JAPAneSe
A thicker, deeper bodied performance bull!
“FirSt” in JAPAneSe
AP169619 - dob: 2/13/2019
Excellent proven heifer bull!
AP142949 - 1/27/2018
Their Progeny available at the 2022 Passion For Prime - June 11
• heterozygous polled bulls for sale at private treaty 93.75% & 95.31% available
The IN
GENETICS
• semen packages available (mix & match) on all homozygous outcross bulls - volume discounts CSS/Australia exportable semen Available on Wagyumultiple World | May / June 2022 sires
3
top wagyu programs from all over the world are represented
11 June
salIna - Kansas featuring consignments from
A Bar N Ranch Akaushi Cattle Company Bar V Wagyu Booth Creek Wagyu Brew Wagyu Buck Mountain Ranch Clearwater Ridge Wagyu Crescent Harbor Ranch Crimson King Farm DL Texas Ranch
Double W Cattle Dryer Farms Fisher Ranch Five B Cattle Five Oaks Farm Five Star Wagyu Ranch LLC Hay Greg Holsteins Jauquet Wagyu JVS Cattle Co LLC Kappenman Farms
Landgraf Ranch Lone Mountain Ranch Milburn-Kroh Ranch MNL Ranch Morace Cattle Co Mountain View Wagyu Pacific Rogue Wagyu Prime Fire Cattle LLC Slator Ranch Southern Cross Ranch
Tally Windham Wagyu Uecker-Lacrosse Wagyu Farms Wagyu Sekai Walker Cattle Company West Coast Wagyu Wilders Wagyu Wyndford Wagyu
Friday June 9 5:30pm Passion To Party (Pre-Sale Social - Dinner & Drinks) 2022 SPONSORS
Passion To Party
4
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Friday June 9 Midwest Wagyu Meeting 10am - 3pm @ Greyhound Hall of Fame
@ Howard Wagyu
170+ lots - females - bulls - embryos - semen
catalog - videos - more information WWW.JDAONLINE.COM 916-849-2725
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 5
THIS ISSUE May / June 2022 Volume 8, Number 4
12 RANCH REACH BEING WILD
When a young entrepreneur marries another young entrepreneur and we mix in a heritage of cattle ranching, things get Wild. Meet the family behind Wilders Wagyu of North Carolina, now one the largest fullblood Wagyu breeder’s in the eastern United States. >> By Heather Smith-Thomas
12
22
22 LIVING PRIME MARIA BONITA HATS
OK ladies; take a look at these not only stylish but super unique lids. Each style is edgy and has the ability to compliment almost any outfit. From a small California based company, we introduce you to your new hat.
26 MARSHALL’S DAILY DISH WAGYU BONE-IN POT ROAST
This time Chef Marshall elevates a family staple; the pot roast. Of course, he takes it to another level utilizing Wagyu and takes this savory favorite to another level with his culinary expertise. Enjoy! >> Chef Marshall Johnson 6
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
26
28 OUT & ABOUT
28
The state of Texas was very busy the month of April with two Wagyu auctions. There was a record broke and huge success for the breed overall. See all the details plus some exciting photos that were taken at the events. Also, study the upcoming events as you don’t want to miss out on what lays in store for the breed.
34
34 RANCH REACH DRATH FAMILY FARM
A long time cattle family in Wisconsin is becoming a household name when it comes to Wagyu beef. You may have seen them featured on PBS, exhibiting cattle at a national show or just have heard of them in regards to Wagyu as they have been breeding fullblood genetics for quite some time; the Drath family is a full breeding and meat business. From start to finish, this family celebrates all things Wagyu. >> By Heather Smith-Thomas
COVER>>
Courtesy of: Wilders Wagyu Location: North Carolina
EDITOR’S LETTER PUBLISHER’S POST CONTRIBUTORS CONNECTIONS INDEX
42 HEALTH & HUSBANDRY 8 9 10 40 38
42
EMBRYO TRANSFER
A look into how this can excell your program; input some of the best in the business. >> By Heather Smith-Thomas
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 7
Editor’s Letter | WW
May / June 2022
I LOVE THIS BREED
I
love this breed. You might be rolling your eyes because my livelihood depends on this breed but don’t judge too quickly; I truly and honestly love this breed. Some of you know but for those that don’t, I am a fourth generation purebred Angus breeder. Growing up, Black Angus cattle are all I knew. I showed my family’s genetics across the country winning national shows coast to coast. I have photos of my grandfather from South Dakota doing the same, my mom and dad as well. Angus cattle have been a part of the Danekas family for multiple generations. I was so entrenched in the Angus breed that I even was a National Angus Queen contestant, was the Western National Angus Queen, and I was the chairman of the National Junior Angus Board. We had an Angus bull and female sale every year. Many of my good friends are fellow Angus breeders, etc. I do have one very dark secret though… through most of these Angus involved years, I didn’t eat beef. Why you ask; I didn’t like the product. Years later my father started to market Wagyu genetics. I was slightly involved and attended an event where I gave it a shot and only loved what I tasted. I was a believer, especially when I had the opportunity to try it again. Early in this adventure I tried an F1 product, again I was amazed. The fact that one generation over an Angus could make such a difference was unfathomable. What really sold me and made me never turn back was after working with the cattle themselves, primarily the black Wagyu. I was sent out all over the country to assist my father in Wagyu promotions and took hundreds of photos of Wagyu and helping breeders prepare for sales. What other breeds have lineage that I learned how to pronounce from going to sushi? Wagyu is the only beef that I consume, the only beef served in my house and the only breed that I promote. My Angus; yes, I still have a handful and breed them Angus but mostly to use for the show ring and mow down the grass. When I sit on the auction block, I truly believe in what I say; Wagyu is the breed of the future and the only beef that should be on your plate. I truly love this breed.
Mercedes Danekas-Lohse - Editor
8
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Publisher’s Post | WW Well it’s only mid-May and two days ago we hit the 100 degree mark for the first time this year and today we’ve got a north wind blowing and gusting at 75 miles per hour and heaters running in the office! Looks like the next six months we might be in for a turbulent ride. The weather is not the only thing I’m calling into question, how we in America have baby formula shortages, and staffing issues to the point that flights are cancelled, Starbucks only opened a few hours a day, and grocery store shelves sitting empty. Mind you some of that may be we reside in the lovely state of California and everything here is basically falling apart in one way or another. Covid keeps coming up as the culprit, but one has to question how long that can keep being the reply. Moving on to worthier topics, let’s deliberate for a moment on the command for Wagyu genetics from around the world and the sheer number of new people entering the breed each and every sale. For instance the numbers of people bidding on line at the Double 8 Frozen Genetic sale were 117 registered buyers on line and Morgan and Emilia stayed busy for hours approving new buyers to the system. Things definitely are on the upswing. We leave next week for the Bar R sale happening May 28th at the ranch and is commanding a lot of pre-sale attention and is one you won’t want to miss. Come June we have the Passion for Prime sale in Kansas, June 11th and I guarantee we will have something for everyone. July will find us in Oklahoma for the Grasslands Wagyu Inaugural Production sale on July 9th. It’s been great to see old friends at these Wagyu events and continue to meet new folks as well. Don’t forget if we can be of any service in your marketing needs just give us a call.
Sherry Danekas - Publisher
Publisher: Sherry Danekas sherry@jdaonline.com Editor & Advertising: Mercedes Danekas-Lohse mercedes@jdaonline.com Circulation/Subscriptions: Morgan Fryer P: (530) 668-1224 W: www.buywagyu.net M: P.O. Box 8629 Woodland, CA 95776
morgan@jdaonline.com • (530) 668-1224 Billing/Media: Emilia Zarate emilia@jdaonline.com • (530) 668-1224 Design Department: Israel Robinson israel@jdaonline.com • (530) 668-1224
WAGYU WORLD, is owned and published bimonthly by James Danekas and Associates, Inc. Subscriptions: Domestic: $25.00/one year (Presort Standard U.S. Postage Paid: Tuscon, Arizona., Address corrections requested) International: Canada - $55; Mexico - $100; Foreign - $100
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 9
Contributors | WW
DISCOVERY This Issue’s Three Contributors Share Themselves With Us. HEATHER SMITH-THOMAS Rancher/ Writer
Since inflation, the most expensive item I have purchased lately is...food and supplies for the ranch. If I had to move to any other country, I would move to... Canada, because I have a granddaughter living there. At night, my prayers always include...all my family members, and a prayer for our country and the hope we won’t continue to keep losing our freedoms...and a prayer for the Ukrainian people.
10
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
RONDA APPLEGARTH Wagyu Breeder
Since inflation, the most expensive item I have purchased lately is...a ranch! If I had to move to any other country, I would move to...I wouldn’t. I love the United States even with all of her problems. At night, my prayers always include...my friends and family. Lord knows we can all use a few extra prayers.
MARSHALL JOHNSON Wagyu Breeder / Chef Restaurateur
Since inflation, the most expensive item I have purchased lately is...restaurant nitrile gloves. If I had to move to any other country, I would move to... Anguilla. At night, my prayers always include...continue to lead and guide me in the right direction.
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 11
Ranch Reach | WW
12
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
being
Wild
By Heather Smith-Thomas Wagyu World | May / June 2022 13
R
eid Smith, founder of Wilders, was born and raised in eastern North Carolina and has lived there his whole life. After meeting his wife, Jaclyn, at Campbell University, the two started a business in real estate, construction and development and have been entrepreneurs side by side ever since. The Smiths founded the RiverWild family of brands (the real estate development company) in Clayton, North Carolina) 8 years ago, and their new venture (Wilders) is the organization’s first agricultural venture. Wilders is a locally owned and operated farm and e-commerce market in Sampson County, North Carolina. When the group launched two years ago, they had a mission to build the
14
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
local economy through a program that offers products people can count on. “We certainly don’t know everything, but we’re grateful to have some wonderful partners and hard-working team members who are committed to this for the long haul,” said Reid. The name “Wilders” comes from the name of the township Reid grew up in, and where the business is located. “With the concept of being local and doing business locally, we thought this would be a good play on words, so we named our agriculture after the small town. It all ties together!” Reid grew up with Angus and Simmental cattle, where he developed a passion for agriculture. “When the pandemic came along, we had a lot more time on our hands and did a lot of research on various aspects of agriculture, and Wagyu cattle grabbed our attention. We already had Angus cows on our small farm and added
some Wagyu as we learned more about this breed and genetics,” he says. “We fell in love with Wagyu and so did our team—the people in our company—and they all rallied around this breed. A key thing with our company is that our purpose is to impact and develop people. So from the beginning, we’ve seen the farm as an opportunity to bring as many people along for the agriculture ride as possible,” Reid says. “This is a big part of what we try to do every day—to try to include people. We are raising cows, but to us it’s even more important to enjoy doing it
and the people we’re doing it with,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to introduce people to agriculture in eastern North Carolina and also bring the best beef in the world to people in the local community.” Since starting this new venture, the Smiths purchased a 1200-acre farm (the Longhorn Creek Ranch, in eastern North Carolina). The farm now grows pasture-raised livestock, over 350 head of Wagyu cattle, and premium Wagyu genetics. “We’d been looking at that property for several years but it just wasn’t the right timing. Then everything lined up just right and we were able to purchase it. This gave us enough acreage to grow, and do what we wanted to do with our cattle operation. We moved everything down there on Christmas Eve day of last year—which was exciting. We’ve also made a few
other deals to add to our herd, and we’re excited about the future,” says Reid. In February, Wilders acquired the majority of the animals in the Double 8 Cattle Company liquidation sale in central Ohio. “We purchased 249 fullblood Wagyu directly from Double 8, which immediately gave us the herd size to make an impact in Wagyu genetics. We’ve been grateful to meet many other Wagyu breeders and we’re excited to be a part of this industry,” said Reid. Being able to meet and talk with people who have invested so much time, sweat and tears into these animals has been a great help. “The animals are fantastic, but the people we’ve been able to connect with have been so kind and honest, and encouraging. It’s been great to interact with them, and we are learning a lot
through their experience and knowledge,” Jaclyn says. “Having grown up in Eastern North Carolina, I have a deep appreciation for the hard working men and women who have made agriculture what it is today,” says Reid. “Feeding your family healthy food shouldn’t be difficult. But with so many jobs and businesses going overseas, it gets harder every day to find healthy and sustainable products that are grown locally, and fuel the local economy,” he says. “Our goal is to steward the land, people, and animals in our care to provide the best quality products while maintaining responsible and sustainable business models. This effort to preserve our agricultural heritage has been a long-time dream of mine and Jaclyn’s, and we’re excited about what the future holds.” Page 16 >>
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 15
<< Page 15
family “Growing our farm and the Wagyu herd over the past two years has deepened our family’s appreciation for agriculture and farming. We work hard to ensure that our animals receive the best care, from ethical treatment standards to sustainable farming methods, to the extra love and attention our kids give the animals on family farm workdays,” Jaclyn says. She and Reid have 3 children, and they all participate. Their son helps
16
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
feed cattle every day and has farm chores. A farm is the best place to raise children as well as livestock! Jaclyn didn’t have a farming background but she and the kids have immersed themselves in this farming venture, and it’s been a lot of fun. “Our daughters love caring for the animals and spending time with them,” says Reid. “Our youngest is 5 and she is still taking it all in, and learning to realize that a cow is a big animal that could
toss her around—but she has no fear of them. We are trying to foster that in a good way.” The Smith kids love the cattle, especially the babies, because these cattle are so docile and have a lot of personality, and great disposition. Jaclyn says that one of their younger bulls is such a character and runs along the fence-line with their dog and children, who have a fun time with him. Jaclyn feels it’s important for kids
to understand the importance of hard work, even at a young age. “Farming is hard work, but it’s not a ‘bad’ hard. There is a lot of reward and excitement, too, and they can feel good about it at the end of the day. There is some sweat involved, but it’s good. I really enjoy getting to be outside, and the farm has definitely enabled our family to grow closer. We are finding our roots in nature and learning how to get back to the basic life skills,” she says. “Our society as a whole has gotten too far away from that. Through the pandemic I think we learned a lot about what we can live without and what we can’t. Farming is something our society doesn’t understand very well.” We’re now a generation or two away from the majority of people growing up on the land. Many folks don’t really know where their food comes from. The remedy is more knowledge and education. “Part of our goal is to help educate the consumer. We are learning, too! Another part of our goal is to do it together as a family and as a husband-wife team,” Jaclyn says. Reid says they have done everything together since college, starting as co-founders of RiverWild, and now founding Wilders together. “We balance each other out very well, in this team effort, and now we are including the kids.” In a time where many of the older farmers are getting out of the business, it’s important to encourage young folks to stay in agriculture or go into agriculture. “There is a generation that is turning over, and the young generation in many instances isn’t getting into it as much,” Reid says. “It’s a great honor to get to share a passion and appreciation for agriculture with the next generation through our kids and employees.”
the cattle
“We’ve seen some full dispersals in the Wagyu industry, including Double 8, where people are simply moving on. There are some smaller producers getting into it, but not very many from a big production standpoint with lots of numbers. There is a big demand for the meat, and we see a neat synergy in trying to create as many animals as possible to select for the best animals, the best dispositions, the best genetics, to advance the breed in general. Our goal is to hopefully add value to the breed as we search for
the best animals and the best genetics possible to advance it and make it better. At the same time we want to provide enough inventory to meet the demand on the beef side. For us, it’s a win-win to have the numbers to try to tackle both missions at the same time,” Reid says. With their herd of Fullblood Black Wagyu, Reid and Jaclyn intend to become a major distributor of Japanese Wagyu genetics for the East Coast in addition to their e-commerce meat sales. The purchase of 249 Fullblood Page 18 >>
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 17
<< Page 17
Wagyu from Double 8 Cattle Company included DECFS3086 Double 8 Cattle Double Down On X (ET). He was sired by Mayura L0010, who has breed-leading EBVs. The sale also included heifer Sumo Cattle Co Fuku P526 ET (FB58067/ SMOFP0526), which sold in 2020 for $105,000 in the Elite Wagyu Sale by Sumo Cattle Company. She is also a Michifuku F154 daughter and is currently located in Australia. “The Double 8 acquisition really helped us expand our numbers,” says Reid. “We want to search for the best genetics we can find, and a line of cattle that can really make a difference in the breed, and in the industry. In my opinion you can only get this through numbers and being able to put as many combinations on the ground as possible, and many peer groups, in order to find the best ones. We are really excited about our ability to now put as many fullblood Wagyu on the ground as possible,” he explains.
Wilders use several different avenues for marketing. “On the beef side, we’ve started an e-commerce platform to sell direct to consumers and have really launched into that (Wilders.com) and it has been going very well,” Reid says. “We are promoting it here locally. We feel eastern NC between Raleigh and Wilmington is a good market, with people interested in Wagyu beef. We have invested a lot of time, effort and energy into this,” he says. “We are also working with local neighbors to market direct to consumers.” This is becoming a common way to market meat, and get the most value for the product. “On the e-commerce side, our goal is to get as micro as possible, trying to connect the local consumer to the local producer, even if it’s not us. It might mean connecting friends up along the east coast to Vermont 18
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
marketing
Wagyu. We want to return the purchasing power to the local farmer, wherever that might be. We are very passionate about micro-farming and the consumer and connect the two together. That’s a big goal,” he says. “On the genetic side we have some key dates coming up. We will have a field day later this year on Wednesday, September 21 before the Conference, to showcase our farm. We have also set a sale date for next year—September 30, 2023. This will be our first genetics sale. We’re trying to get our name out there for an annual production sale,” he says. Coming from five generations of cattle farmers, Reid knows the importance of proven genetics. He and the Wilders crew have been working on an in-house scoring system to offer clients assurance and predictability with their Wilders investment. “I know from experience how hard
ranching can be,” says Reid. “And while we certainly don’t know everything, our goal is to offer our clients more control and predictability in their genetics investment by combining our in-house PGP scoring system, partner relationships, and best in class herd acquisitions.” Wilders helps producers maximize herd investments through proven genetics. “As one of the largest Fullblood Wagyu producers in the region, our objective is to expand the availability of the breed on the East Coast and be a champion for farming success in the industry. We go about that by doing business the WILD way, which stands for our core values: with a Will to win, we Intentionally adapt while Living compassionately with Disciplined execution. We try to live by this every day, regardless of what we are doing—whether in agriculture or in our day-to-day business.”
JOIN US A DAY EARLY TO KICK OFF THE AMERICAN WAGYU CONFERENCE
FARM TOURS • GUEST SPEAKERS • FREE FOOD VISIT ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAGYU PRODUCERS ON THE EAST COAST
When: September 21 | 9AM - 1PM Where: 525 Longhorn Creek Lane | Turkey, NC 28393
RSVP TODAY!
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FIELD DAY & RSVP.
*Transportation to Wilders and the conference may be arranged. RSVP for more information.
wilderswagyu.com/Field-Day
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jimmy Horner of Protocol Naturals
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 19
A NEW MARKETING PLATFORM PARTNERED WITH THE DEDICATION OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE WAGYU BREED
no commissions no buyer’s premium flat fees for more information - 916/849/275
20
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
EST. 2007
BULLS - HEIFERS - COWS - PAIRS - EMBRYOS + GUEST OFFERINGS FROM TOP PRODUCERS FROM NEW ENGLAND & THE EAST COAST
Save The Date A BEAUtIFUL tIME OF YEAR tO Add SUPERIOR gEnEtICS tO YOUR PROgRAM & WItnESS tHE AnnUAL FALL FOLIAgE
homE of ThE
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 21
May / June 2022
LIVING PRIME Style and Substance
Hats, bands, colors and styles are consistently evolving as our Artesian’s continually create designs to lead the market in style and comfort. Every hat they make is painstakingly created with the greatest care, but as in ALL HANDMADE items no two hats are exactly the same. This is the beauty of handmade hats. Each is unique to the craftsman’s touch. >> maria-bonita-hats.myshopify.com
22
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 23
novEmbEr 12 - 2022 HigHligHTING genetics from top programs nationwide
MARK YOUR CALENDAR EntriEs AvAilAblE August 2022
friday evening festivities
entries and more info -
WAgyu “boArd” burgErs
(burgers grilled by the TWA board of directors)
+ livE music & dAncing
24
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
hosted at the 2 Bar C Ranch Event Center 17968 FM 1322 in Luling, Texas
www.jdaonline.com - 530/668/1224
11 JUNE - SALINA KANSAS
E HERDSIR T C E P S PRO
WSIFS513
DOB: 02/26/2021
Male
Recessive Defects: Free
SUMO CATTLE CO ITOSHIGENAMI C0158 COATES ITOSHIGENAMI G113 ......................... COATES TANI C446 MACQUARIE WAGYU N0100 MACQUARIE WAGYU Y408 MACQUARIE WAGYU F D1995 ......................... MACQUARIE WAGYU F X287 WORLD K’S HARUKI 2 WORLD K’S SHIGESHIGETANI 1593 ............... WORLD K’S SUZUTANI MAYURA L0032 WORLD K’S MICHIFUKU WAGYU GENETICS CHIYOTAKE D8225 ......... KINTO F W2239
4 B EM RYOS ITOSHIGENAMI MAYURA ITOSHIGENAMI JNR .......................... MAYURA DAI NI KINNTOU 1 TYDDEWI N7245 WESTHOLME HIRAMICHI TSURU WESTHOLME K5236............................................. WESTHOLME MIYANISHIKI 2/2 TERUNAGADOI 1742 KITATERUYASUDOI J2810 HONGEN .............. YOSHIMI 3 601124 ECHIGO FARMS C1046 WORLD K’S MICHIFUKU ECHIGO FARMS F Y3004..................................... WESTHOLME YOSHIMORI U6
TYDDEWI N7245
FULL SIB TO ECHIGO FARMS C1046
4 S EMBoRrtYaO ble exp
ITOSHIGENAMI MAYURA ITOSHIGENAMI JNR .......................... MAYURA DAI NI KINNTOU 1 ARUBIAL BOND Q007 MAYURA ITOSHIGENAMI JNR PEPPERMILL GROVE L0021 ............................... PEPPERMILL GROVE G037 WORLD K’S MICHIFUKU WSI DAI 2 SANJIROU ........................................... SUZUHARU WSI KIKUHIRA 2 WSI HIRASHIGEHARU WSI KIKUHIRA ........................................................ WSI KIKUFUJI 2
WSI 192’S DIRECT PROGENY
Puslinch, ON, Canada [t] 1-519-835-9647 • [t] 1-519-223-4444 Email - ken@wagyuworld.com www.wagyuworld.com
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 25
Marshall’s Daily Dish | WW
Wagyu Bone-In Pot Roast by Chef Marshall Johnson Photography by Hillary Johnson
5-6 LB Wagyu Long Bone Beef Shank Salt & Pepper to taste ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 large onions rough chopped 4-5 stalks celery rough chopped 5-6 carrots peeled and rough chopped 8-10 whole cloved garlic smashed 2 tbsp double concentrated tomato paste ¼ cup chopped parsley stems 10 whole sprigs fresh Thyme 5-6 whole Sprigs fresh rosemary 3 bay leaves 2 cups red wine of choice 4 cups homemade beef stock or bone broth Salt & Pepper to taste
26
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
- Season beef shank liberally with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. - Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium high heat. - Add Beef shank and brown all sides until dark amber color. - Remove from pot set aside. - Add onion, carrot, celery season with salt and pepper to taste cook 5-7 minutes stirring frequently until onions start to become translucent. - Add garlic cloves cook for 3-5 minutes continuing to stir frequently. - Add thyme, rosemary, parsley stems cook 1-2 minutes. - Add tomato paste mix with veggies until incorporated cook 1-2 minutes - Add red wine bring to boil and reduce by 1/3 - Add beef stock and bay leaves bring to a boil cook 5 minutes. - Preheat oven to 200 degrees or crock pot on low setting. - Pour stock and veggie mixture in bottom of deep dish pan or crock pot place the browned beef shank on top cover with foil wrap or crock pot lid and cook 12 hours in crock pot on low or 200 degrees in oven. - Remove and strain the beef liquid. - Strain off excess fat that rises to the top, - Reduce by ½ to make beef jus - Serve with your favorite sides and beef au jus.
when your product commands on encore
...you know you got the right genetics a superior product starts here with superior genetics
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 diamondtranchwagyubeef@gmail.com - 903-284-9145
27
Wagyu Sales, Shows, and Other Happenings
2022 M6 Ranch Wagyu Bull Sale
Sales
ALVARADO, TEXAS
April 9th, 2022
28
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
>> The Results M6 Ranch Wagyu Ranch - Bull Sale Averages 58 Fall Born FullBlood Bulls $14,762.93 19 spring Born FullBlood Bulls $12,052.63 Tops Lot 1: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 073H ET, 8/17/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $190,000 to Santos Patronos, LLC, McAllen, TX. Lot 9: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 108J ET, 04/06/2021 sired by TBR KIKUTNAMI 4051A; $60,000 to Santos Patronos, LLC, McAllen, TX. Lot 2: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 078H ET, 8/19/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $50,000 to Colorado River Ranch, Gypsum, CO. Lot 4: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 0122H ET, 9/30/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $50,000 to Santos Patronos, LLC, McAllen, TX. Lot 5: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 0100H ET, 9/05/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $26,000 to Anthony Natale, Mt Juliet, Tennessee. Lot 65: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 116J ET, 10/04/2021 sired by MAYURA L0010; $23,000 to Rick Beard, Granbury, TX. Lot 11: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 0134H ET, 10/17/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $22,500 to Honey Creek Cattle Company, Parkville, MO. Lot 27: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 079H ET, 8/20/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $21,000 to Greg Watts, Eden, Utah. Lot 8: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 0121H ET, 9/30/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $20,000 to Smoky Mountain Cattle Company, Maryville, TN. Lot 29: M6 ITOSHIGENAMI 0116H, 9/205/2020 sired by MAYURA L0010; $19,000 to Jinger Clemmer, Crane, TX.
This historic day in the Wagyu industry was as successful as anyone could have dreamed of. The seats were packed with over 40 registered buyers and online registered buyers were over 70. With well over 100 viewers online and a crowd in person, 78 bulls sold to 13 different states and Central America. The Moore family was as always amazing hosts with a Friday night social that featured the industry’s top Wagyu meat companies and calf buyers as well as a superb lunch on sale day. This first ever fullblood Wagyu bull sale also broke a record with the highest selling black fullblood bull in in the United States with Lot 1 for $190,000!
Managed By: James Danekas & Assoc., Inc. Auctioneer: Butch Booker Online Venue: LiveAuctions.tv
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 29
>> The Results Texas Wagyu Association “The Steaks are High” annual Spring Production Sale April 23, 2022, Salado, TX Averages 10 Open Heifers GrOss$69,000...AvG. 6,900 5 COw/CAlf pAirs GrOss $63,350…AvG. $12,670 20 Bred femAles GrOss $145,300…AvG. $7,265 11 Bulls GrOss $70,100 …AvG $6,373 46 lOts GrOss $347,750…AvG. $7,560 The top selling lot was KHR Ms Hanna, a red fullblood female sired by Tamamaru selling with a Heifer sired by Heartbrand Raymond Reddington. She was consigned by FAC Ranch, Dunson, LA ans she sold to Al Nessinger, Hatch, UT for $31,000. Al Nessinger also purchased Wattan Z022, a red fullblood female sired by Judo. Sold by SRS Ranch, Dunson, LA and sold for $27,000. KR Ms Mich was the top selling Black female, sired by KR Mich-400-351 selling with a heifer calf by JC Hirashige 232. She was consigned by Huckleberry Farm, Austin, TX and sold to Joseph Furlong, El Paso, TX for $10,200. Huckleberry Farm also consigned HBF 3F a fullblood black cow sired by KR Frontline 115 and selling with a bull calf by JC Hirashige 232. She sold to Bubba and Donna Kay, Manor, TX for $10,000. CWF TCR TCR C082 ET a black fullblood female sired by UKB Dia 6 Kitaseki sold to Jake Scott, Fredericksburg, TX for $10,000. ESR Ms Mayura L0010 ET a black fullblood open heifer sired by Mayura L0010 and consigned by Wagyu Endless Sky Cattle Ranch, Dallas, TX sold to Bennett Yowell, Houston, TX for $9,700. The top selling bull was LAG 1105D a Red Fullblood son of Shigemaru sold by Rocking 711 Ranch, Sugar Land, TX. He sold to Justin Stamps, Grove, OK for $20,000. 711 Shigetakaguni 626E ET a black fullblood son of Bar R Shigeshigetani 30T consigned by Rocking 711 Ranch, Sugarland, TX sold to Kahlig Ranches, San Antonio, TX for $9,000.
Auctioneer: Bruce Miller Sale Manager: Schacher Auction Services
30
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
SAVE THE DATE inaugural
PRODUCTION SALE JULY 9TH 2022
AT THE RANCH IN MIDDLEBERG - OKLAHOMA
SELLING 100+ FEMALES SIRED BY:
www.jdaonline.com
SANJIRO 3 TYDDEWI N3709 MACQUARIE M0546 SHIGEFUKU SHIGESHIGETANI KITAGUNI JR
+ SELECT INDIVIDUALS FROM
HERD SIRES &MUCH MORE! www.liveauctions.tv
home of
TYDDEWI N3709 AU # DSWFN3709
BRIAN STAMPS 405|274|9089
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 31
Wagyu Sales, Shows, and Other Happenings Save the Date
Upcoming Events 2022 MAY
14 28
Bar R Ranch Wagyu Production Sale Pullman, Washington
JUNE
11
JULY
9
Double 8 Cattle Company Genetics Sale www.liveauctions.tv
APRIL
1
M6 Ranch Bull & Female Production Sale Alvarado, Texas
SEPTEMBER
30
OCTOBER
21 Passion For Prime Salina, Kansas Grasslands Wagyu Production Sale Tuttle, Oklahoma
Wilders Wagyu Production Sale Turkey, North Carolina
Vermont Wagyu Production Sale 4th Edition Springfield, Vermont
All aspects of your program can be customized from birth to market.
SEPTEMBER
2
G Five Cattle, LLC, First Wagyu Production Sale Sulphur Springs, Texas
22-24 Shaping The Future - AWA Conference Charleston, South Carolina
OCTOBER
1
Caroland Farms Production Sale Landrum, South Carolina
15
Vermont Wagyu Production Sale 4th Edition Springfield, Vermont
NOVEMBER
12
TWA Fall Harvest Event Luling, Texas
We market and manage value added programs for buyers & producers. RLC helps buyers source the livestock that fit their needs. We help producers reach their goals in producing livestock for the value added market.
2023 MARCH
18
32
Triangle B Ranch Production Sale Stigler, Oklahoma
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
712-250-3025 WWW.RENEWLIVESTOCKCOMPANY.COM
since 1994
Fukutsuru 068 • Kitaguni Jr. Mayura L0010 • Michitsuru Kikuyasu 400 • Shigeshigetani Kenhanafuji • Genjiro • Beijirou Shigefuku • Itozuru Doi 151 Kousyun • Michiyoshi & Sanjirou 3
EMBRYOS AVAILABLE SIRED BY Notorious • TF Kimitofuku 813 • Itozuru Doi 151 Itoshigenami 148 • Fukutsuru 068 • Kousyun WKS Shigeshigetani • CHR Shigeshigetani 5 • Genjiro Mayura L0010 • WKS Kitaguni Jr • Shigefuku Kikutsuru Doi 146 • Bond Q007 Look For Our Entries In
JUNE 11 2022 salina - kansas
Ralph Valdez 360.941.0644
www.crescentharborranch.com
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 33
Ranch Reach | WW
34
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
By Heather Smith-Thomas
rath Family Farm was established in 1940 and is a multigeneration livestock operation located in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin. Keary and Nathan Drath are now the third generation on a farm their grandfather started as a dairy. They had to decide whether to expand to over a thousand cow dairy or choose a new path. In 2013 they established an LLC and the dairy operation gave way to a 100% Full Blood Black Wagyu Beef operation. The Draths bought their first Wagyu Full Blood cows and sold the dairy herd. They selected from Baycroft Wagyu a female with a bottom side pedigree from Yamamoto and Takeda genetics as well as one that was a Michifuku with TF Aizakura on the bottom side. They were also fortunate to purchase foundation genetics from Michael Goodell of Muddy Flats. These cows were flushed and embryos were implanted to grow the herd. Keary’s son Parker purchased a Double Misako from a Baycroft tag sale three years later. They have bred many females from highmarbling sires that they now flush and are proud of the breeding program they have built. Embryos from popular wagyu sales are also purchased to widen the genetic pool that they select from. Semen from Muddy Flats, Triangle B, Ted Naruke and semen from Australia is used to enhance the herd. Keary and Nathan attended the Wagyu convention in Nashville and purchased a herd bull from Prime Valley. They now have a few
hundred head of Full Blood cows. The next herd bull to follow up will be a MFC Shigeshigetani 2-12 son that looks spectacular. The Draths use CattleMax to record their cattle data. Nathan is vigilant about tracking carcass quality and yields using photographs and grading cards to know what is working to make their customers happy and their operation profitable. All the cattle they raise (that are not going back into their herd) are marketed as meat. They have not sold any seed stock to other breeders because of the demand for their meat. The next step will be to offer quality females as breeding stock to customers with interest in becoming wagyu breeders. For several years Nathan and Keary worked in the traditional Wisconsin Supper Club.
The Draths connect directly with the chefs in the area to sell their Drath Family Farm 100% Full Blood Wagyu. They have developed their brand and market it direct to restaurants, and market packages and individual cuts at their on-farm
Page 36 >>
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 35
<< Page 35
store through their website www.drathfarmilyfarm.com and their Facebook page, Drath Family Farm LLC. Keary says many of the customers who purchase meat from Drath Family Farm enjoy coming to the farm to pick up their meat and they can see how the animals are raised. The farm is surrounded by beautiful woods at the end of a dead end road. All of the animals that are butchered are raised on this farm, and in a stress-free environment on grass pastures. All the feed given to these cattle is grown on the farm and harvested by the Drath family. The cows, calves and yearlings are on pasture, rotationally grazing several hundred acres. Even the finish steers are on pasture. Most of the animals are finished on forage, and this is another selling point because many people are interested in grass-fed beef versus grain finished beef. The only time the cows are fed grain is when they are brought into the corrals for embryo work. This is just as an enticement for them to come into the corral and eat something they like—to keep them happy! Keary says the main thing is to have these cattle on a high quality forage blend. It can be more challenging to keep them on forage in the winter, however. “We have a lot of winter here, so we usually make baleage rather than hay, and this is what they are fed in winter.” This is very high quality forage and almost like lush pasture. After having dairy cows for so long, these brothers know how to feed high quality forage to cattle. They put up all their own baleage, and have been farming for a long time. “Once you understand how to feed dairy cows for high milk production, feeding high quality feeds to beef cows is pretty simple! You just need to keep good feed in front of these cattle. Wagyu cows don’t produce a lot of milk so you need to feed them well so they can raise their calves and have them off to a good start—and also get the calves starting to eat good forage at a young age and get their rumen developed.” In order to have the desired fat and marbling in the meat, those calves need good feed; they need the proper building blocks for growth and marbling. It’s a big project to raise high-quality meat, and every aspect of the cattle management is important and interrelated. Their cattle are generally finished and ready to slaughter at about 30 months of age (2.5 years old). At Drath Family Farm the whole family is involved. Keary and his wife Laura have two boys, Connor and Parker age 19 and 22. Nathan also has a finance Traci and three children—Jaden, Haley and Tristen--ages 18, Page 38 >>
36
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
MORRIS STOCK FARM LLC purchasing quality all natural • REGISTERED FULL BLOOD WAGYU CATTLE • AGE & SOURCED F1 WAGYU CATTLE
8075 Co Rd Y • Gruver, Texas 79040 DUSTIN BORDEN JOE MORRIS 806-363-3845 806-922-5274 SHERRY MORRIS
(office)
806-733-2362 office@morrisstockfarm.com www.morrisstockfarm.com
Family Owned and Operated Since May 1962
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 37
<< Page 36
16 and 14. They are all involved in everything that goes on at the farm from moving cattle to working at the on-farm store. It’s a team effort. It’s always nice to have the younger generation coming on and hopefully able to keep the operation going in the future. Nathan’s kids have shown Wagyu cattle at NAILE in Louisville Kentucky. The Drath family recently hosted a watch party for the community. This was a party at a local Wisconsin hangout serving Drath Family Farm Wagyu and an opportunity for the Draths to show their friends what they do every day. The PBS network in Wisconsin produces a TV show called Wisconsin Foodie, hosted by Chef Luke Zahm. An episode of Wisconsin Foodie featured Drath Family Farm Wagyu in April. Keary noted, “They were here last summer to do the show and they did a nice job. They feature a lot of Wisconsin products so it was nice that they chose us for one of their shows.” The exposure on this TV program has increased sales. It’s a great story that Nathan and Keary have created--a family Wagyu farm that can stay in the family.
38
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Advertiser’s Index
A To Z Feeders.............................................................................................41 Black Dog Cattle Co ..................................................................................40 C.D. “Butch” Booker ...................................................................................40 Callicrate Banders .....................................................................................41 Caroland Farms ..........................................................................................39 Crescent Harbor ..................................................................................33, 40 DAR J Easy Weigh ......................................................................................40 Diamond T Ranch ...............................................................................27, 41 G5 Cattle .......................................................................................................44 Grassland Wagyu .......................................................................................31 JDA & Assoc .................................................................................................37 JMK Cattle ...................................................................................................... 2 Lone Mountain Cattle Co................................................................. 46-47 Lucky 7 Ranch .............................................................................................41 M6 Ranch Wagyu ......................................................................................41 Marble Ranch .......................................................................................40, 48 Milburn-Kroh Ranch ................................................................................41 Morris Stock Farm .....................................................................................37 Pacific Rogue Wagyu ..............................................................................40 Passion For Prime .....................................................................................4-5 Poll Wagyu ..................................................................................................13 Protocol Technologies .....................................................................11, 40 Ragland Wagyu ..........................................................................................41 Renew Livestock Co. .................................................................................27 Rockin 2 Wagyu .........................................................................................38 Schacher Auction Services .....................................................................41 ShowMe Wagyu Partners.......................................................................... 3 Slator Ranch ........................................................................................... 3, 41 Tai Ranch ......................................................................................................41 Texas Ten Akaushi Cattle .........................................................................45 Todo Santos Creek .....................................................................................37 Triangle B Ranch ......................................................................................... 5 TWA Fall Harvest Event............................................................................24 Wagyu Live...................................................................................................20 Wagyu Sekai ................................................................................................25 Wilders Wagyu ............................................................................................19 Yuba River Ranch ....................................................................................... 41 Vermont Wagyu .................................................................................. 21, 40
CAROLAND FARMS inaugural
1st - OCTOBER - 2022 at the farm
Landrum - South Carolina featuring
TOP 1% GENETICS
a flush opportunity + progeny from TBR MS ITOSHIGENAMI 2-1 3021Z, a maternal sister to the $59,000 “TBR 3346Z” and full sister to the top 1% “TBR 3025Z” whose flush opportunity sold for $22,000 in 2021
a flush opportunity + genetics from JC MS RUESHAW 71, the full sister to the $250,000 bull - JC RUESHAW 75
progeny from MG MS SHIGESHIGETANI 83A, one of the country’s most valued WK Shigeshigetani daughters
WWW.JDAONLINE.COM
WWW.CAROLANDFARMS.COM 39 Wagyu World | May / June 2022
(864) 616-6309
Your Ad Here 1 year - $375 6 months - $200
Wagyu Experience
YOUR AD HERE
Adds Value “2008 International Auctioneer Champion”
C.D. “Butch” Booker Auctioneer 809 N. Main Colfax, WA 99111 (509) 397-4434 Cell: (509) 989-2855 Email: cartha@colfax.com
DAR J
L ivestock EZ WEIGH™ HARNESS M ortaLity The new, easy, simple humane way to iand nsurance weigh your
Put your trust in this Emblem.
Calves • Dogs • Sheep Everyone that has one… Your wouldn’t be without it.
American CA Residents add 7.75% sales tax. Livestock Insurance Company REMEMBER…
: ONLY $30.00 SHERRY DANEKAS
THE HUMANE WAY with the DAR J EZ WEIGH!!
(Scale not included)
To order your “EZ WEIGH” send your check or money order to
Plus $4.95 shipping and handling.
530-668-1224
JDA, Inc. P.O.Box 8629 Woodland, Ca 95776
(530) 668-1224
Competitive Livestock Marketing Weekly Auction Schedule Monday – Beef Specializing in Original Wednesday - DairyFoundation Friday - Small Animals Wagyu Genetics Since 1994
Miguel A. Machado President
25525 E. Lone Tree Road • Escalon, CA 95320 Office: (209) 838-7011 • Fax (209) 838-1535 Cellular (209) 595-2014
Ralph Valdez 360.941.0644
www.crescentharborranch.com 40
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Fullblood & F1 Wagyu
since
1994
Contact us for your Eblast Needs 530-668-1224 PO BOx 194 WedderBurn, Or 97491 PacificrOgueWagyu@gmail.cOm PacificrOgueWagyu.cOm
Wagyu Breeding & Genetics Sheila Patinkin, Owner Cell: 847-702-7812 • Email: scpatinkin@yahoo.com Roger Osinchuk, Supervisor • 603-313-0676 150 Lower Parker Hill Road Springfield, VT 05156
Representatives
JAKE PARNELL .......................... (916) 662-1298 GEORGE GOOKIN ...................... (209) 482-1648 MARK FISHER ............................ (209) 768-6522 REX WHITTLE ............................. (209) 996-6994 JOE GATES ................................. (707) 694-3063 ABLE JIMENEZ ........................... (209) 401-2515 JASON DAILEY ........................... (916) 439-7761 12495 STOCKTON BLVD., GALT, CA 95632 (209) 745-1515 Office • (209) 745-1582 Fax Web: www.clmgalt.com
GENETICS AVAILABLE
Your All-Natural Solution
800.687.6455 protocolnaturals.net
DIAMOND T RANCH www.DiamondTWagyuBeef.com Home Of
PINNACLE BEEF 100% Black Wagyu
Tom & Mary Isola
10772 Modoc Road • White City, Oregon 97503 Cell (702) 274-1964 • Email: tisola702@aol.com
(712) 243-4515 www.atozfeeders.com
The Western Wagyu Source
EMBRYOS • SEMEN
CATTLE • MEAT
Tony Tristani
DiamondTRanchWagyuBeef@gmail.com office • 903/284/9145
Full Blood Wagyu
HUMANE CASTRATION
Red and Black
KY SEVEN C U L CATTLE RANCH Hamilton, Texas
Red & Black Genetics Seedstock & Commercial Bulls Embryos & Semen
Marysville, California
530-237-6446
The Ultimate in... Calving Ease, Price Premium, and Carcass Quality
100% Wagyu Bulls + Beef for sale!
Kevin & Jessica Moore 2929 Oak Hill Rd Alvarado, TX 76009 • kevin@m6ranch.com Kevin: 817-822-7109 Jessica: 817-822-7402 www.m6ranch.com Production Sale October 7th, 2018
800-858-5974 CallicrateBanders.com
Ralph Lee 254.223.3557
AUCTIONEER • SALE MANAGEMENT MARKETING AND CONSULTING
Schacher Auction Services
rob@schacherauction.com • 817-219-0102 Schacher• Fort Worth, Texas 76133 5832Robert Wales Avenue 817-219-0102 www.schacherauction.com
www.schacherauction.com
BUYER NO.:
LIVESTOCK MORTALITY INSURANCE
Find us
Follow us
Be in the know!
Your Ad Here 1 year - $375 6 months - $200
Leader I
n
POLLed PUreBred aKaUSHI Genet
IcS
purebred homozygous polled outcross semen available!
LLANO, TX (325) 247-4217
slatorranch.com Wagyu World | May / June 2022 41
Health & Husbandry | WW
By Heather Smith-Thomas
E
mbryo transfers—from a donor cow to a recipient cow that serves as a surrogate mother to carry that pregnancy and raise the calf—have been a part of cattle reproduction options for more than 50 years. The first embryo transfer (ET) calf was born in 1951. Darrel DeGrofft, DVM, an embryologist in Colorado (Colorado Genetics, Inc.) has been working with embryo transfers since 1973. “ET has been used commercially in North America since the early 1970’s, with embryo freezing technology following during the 1980’s. The use of ET allows breeders to more rapidly gain genetic quality in a herd. We can collect multiple embryos from a superior cow, several times during the year, and greatly increase the number of offspring from that cow,” he says. This is a way to more quickly multiply the best genetics in the herd, creating more replacement females or bulls to sell, or embryos to sell. “The sale of embryos is common today. We have clients who buy frozen embryos from other people, and we transfer those into their recipient cows,” he says.
NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT OF DONOR AND RECIPIENTS
“Adequate energy, protein, minerals, etc. are crucial for these cows. We like to see donor cows and recipient cows in good body condition of at least a 5 (on the scale of 1 to 9). We don’t like to see the donor too fat. If donor cows get up to body condition score of 6.5 or higher, we see a decrease in viable embryos that can be collected,” DeGrofft says. “There is research data to show why fat cows tend to have reproductive problems. If cows get too fat they have hormonal problems, metabolic problems, and a decrease in reproduction (whether with AI, ET or bull bred).” 42
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Recipient selection and manage- don’t test the feed and water, they rates. “Over the past 30 to 40 ment is much the same. “We like won’t know what they need,” he years, the factor that most affects to use early calvers that are at says. pregnancy rate is the quality least 65 to 70 days post-partum “We also ask that they have an and management of recipient before we consider using them as adequate identification system cows. The donor cows are usually recipients. We prefer middle-aged for the recipient cows. Once in a looked after very well and the cows, with good dispositions. The while we run into some that don’t embryos we freeze are very good producer will have to put those even have an ear tag. We suggest quality; the freezing process has cows through the chute to prepare that they have two ear tags, one been the same for 40 years. We them to receive an embryo, and that they can identify when the can show data (not only from our may not want cattle that are difembryos are being transferred company but also from others) ficult to handle. When they calve, into these cows, and another ear that the important factor is the a person wants cows with good tag identifying the mating. It is recipient cow—her nutrition, age, dispositions, making it easier to very important to have at least reproductive soundness, and how handle the calf, ear tag it, etc.” he two forms of ID,” he says. That she is managed. In a good herd, says. way there’s no question about the we should be getting a pregnancy The recipient cow should be genetics of the resulting calf. rate of 55 to 65% depending on reproductively sound, with whether they are fresh or froa good calving record. “We zen embryos,” says DeGrofft. INTERNATIONAL MARKET also want these cows to have “Fresh embryos give a FOR EMBRYOS adequate milking ability. slightly higher pregnancy Frozen embryos are a bio-secure method We also use Multimin 90, rate, 5 to 7% more than for exporting seedstock genetics. A person the injectable trace mineral frozen embryo pregnancy can ship embryos even when importations product, for all our donors rate. We anticipate 55 to 65% of live animals is prohibited. “We know of no but have had clients that and recipients, along with the known diseases that have been transmitted mineral ration the rancher is get 65 to 70% because they from donor cows to recipient cows by export- understand the management currently using. We’ve been doing that for many years and ing embryos. There are strict regulations for of the donors and recipients. preparing embryos for export and there is there is a data to show that Due to their good managevirtually no risk for disseminating disease,” this can result in an increase ment, we get better results— DeGrofft says. in embryo quality and pregnot so much because of what Shipping embryos to other countries has nancy rate,” says DeGrofft. we do, but because of what From a nutrition standpoint, advantages over sending live cattle, besides they do,” he explains. disease issues. “The embryo transfer calves recipients need an adequate Costs vary, for collection are born and raised in the local environment of embryos to be frozen or diet. “We tell our clients that so they are often much better adapted than transferred immediately into they need to maintain a similar nutrition program after the any animals that could be sent to a foreign the recipient, or whether country,” he explains. embryos are transferred--for they want to do IVF (in vitro about 30 to 40 days, if possifertilization) using sexed ble--in order to maintain early semen. “The use of sexed pregnancies. This can decrease semen creates a different scenario; PREGNANCIES the possibility of early embryonic we have to use a specialized protolosses,” he says. When collecting embryos from col in order to utilize sexed semen It is important to test the feed a donor cow, the average number properly. It’s not the same as and water to balance the ration for is about 6 to 6.5 embryos per flush when using conventional semen, minerals, protein and energy. “We on a cow, and about 3 or 4 on a vir- primarily because of the reduced find areas from ranch to ranch (and gin heifer. “About 30% of the donumber of sperm cells in a straw of they may not be very far apart) nor cows we flush do not produce sexed semen,” he says. that are too high in selenium or viable embryos. Statistics indicate Colorado Genetics does the rethe rancher maybe be feeding that about 70% of the embryos productive work on the producer’s something that’s high in nitrates or collected are from about one-third farm or ranch. “The producers selenium, or the soil may be high of the donor cows. Some donor therefore need to evaluate their in molybdenum which ties up cop- cows produce embryos very well facilities, and the labor to put the per. Even when people buy the and some do not. The owner has cows through the ET program and same mineral ration their neighbor to decide how long to continue synchronize the recipients. Timing does, it still may not be the right working with a cow without acis important, so it is crucial that balance for their own soils and ceptable results, or just put her they follow the superovulation feed,” he explains. back in the herd and let her raise protocol correctly. An experienced “Over the years, we’ve found a her own calf each year, and select AI technician is also required for tremendous variability as we travel another individual to use as a dobreeding the donor cows,” says to do ET work, and big differences nor cow,” he says. DeGrofft. in some of these locations. If they People also ask about pregnancy Wagyu World | May / June 2022 43
G FIVE CATTLE SCHACHER
AUCTION SERVICES
44
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
presenting
65329X ET
AP198898
HOMOZYGOUS POLLED AKAUSHI
HEARTBRAND KING DAVID 14E
HEARTBRAND 15/16 11E ET
06/05/2020
HEARTBRAND 9595Y NICKESON 309A ET HEARTBRAND 9595Y NICKESON 309A ET
TEXAS TEN AKAUSHI CATTLE Doug Heimer & Family 210/872/6907 follow us
texastenakaushi Wagyu World | May / June 2022 45
46
Wagyu World | May / June 2022
Wagyu World | May / June 2022 47
WAGYU WORLD
PRST STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tucson, AZ Permit No. 271
c/o James Danekas & Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 8629 Woodland, CA 95776
From day one our goal has been to develop a herd that will perform at the ranch and on the rail. USDA approved embryo export facilities, a unique feeding concept and objective carcass grading, using one of the few Japanese carcass cameras in the US, are all tools we utilize in producing genetics that have both a local renown and global reach.
Contact Us to see how our embryos, pregnancies, females and bulls can move your genetics from
DISH TO PLATE
48
Wagyu World | May / June 2022