WAGYU REGISTRATIONS UP BY 65%

WAGYU REGISTRATIONS INCREASE BY +65% IN 2020 BCMS FIGURES

 Figures released by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) for 2020 show that British Wagyu, known for its highly marbled premium beef, has increased its numbers by 65% on the year. The figures, for beef cattle born in England, Wales & Scotland reveal almost 10,000 Wagyu-sired calves were born in 2020. Of these, 8388 were crossbred (sired by a Wagyu bull) and 1047 purebred or Fullblood - totalling 9,435 head of Wagyu animals when compared to 5,699 in 2019. Please click HERE for a breakdown by country and type.

A group of Wagyu-cross calves each with their British Wagyu-branded DNA tissue punch ear tags

WBA Director Chris Dickinson says: “This is a real sign that Wagyu is well on its way to becoming a crucial part of the UK beef industry. British Wagyu is now on far more restaurant menus across the UK as customers are drawn to its high marbling and fantastic taste.”

 The figures are backed by a British Wagyu quality assurance scheme now entering its second year together with the imminent introduction of MIJ (Meat Image Japan) camera technology which takes digital images from the cut ribeye surface to predict marbling score, marbling fineness, ribeye area, fat colour and meat colour for an overall Beef Marbling Score (BMS) grade.

 Demand is expected to continue to grow for what many consider the world’s finest beef.

A FOCUS ON WAGYU GENETICS

NOBLE HERD - MIKU WAGYU HERD - A FOCUS ON GENETICS

In the following article, Wagyu Breeders Association Member Luke Smith gives his perspective on Wagyu genetics. For the past four years his Noble Herd has been breeding first-cross (F1) Wagyus supplying both the wholesale and retail markets within the UK and EU.

“The Noble Herd places a strong emphasis on utilising high-performing Wagyu genetics as a key focus to producing the very best meat quality for consumers. As part of the ongoing effort to improve product quality, we have concluded an exclusivity arrangement with Miku Wagyu (www.mikuwagyu.com) to use the very best bulls from their herd which includes making these genetics available to breeders within the UK and EU, giving beef producers access to access to the very best performing genetics under F1 contract at an affordable price for commercial application.”

Explains Luke: “I’ve learnt over time that not all Wagyu genetics are suited to F1 Wagyu production and I believe that a focused approach to genetic selection for marbling accompanied with growth is key in establishing a sound supply chain.”

For MAXFQ50 EBVs, please click on the following link: http://abri.une.edu.au/online/cgi-bin/i4.dll?1=3C212A07&2=2420&4=59272F59252D24252E232E2F2A&5=2B3C2B3C3A&6=5B585C235827232721&9=5B5A5C

“Miku Wagyu is focused on breeding for top 1% marbling, but also producing marbling fineness accompanied with intrinsic efficiency performance breeding values. That does not mean that the other traits such as growth and carcase quality are left behind. The focus on quality aligns well with the Noble Herd’s main consideration that the Wagyu beef market in the UK and EU should be focused on the point of difference. It is marbling and the exceptional eating experience that sets Wagyu apart.”

For MIKU MAGIC-MIKE Q22 EBVs, please click on the following link:http://abri.une.edu.au/online/cgi-bin/i4.dll=3C212A07&2=232F5F&4=59272F59252D24252E232E2F2A&5=2B3C2B3C3A&6=5B585C242520582523&9=5252515E

"Beef as a commodity has come under some scrutiny in recent years due to concerns of the industry’s environmental impact as well as beef’s nutritional impacts. Market data reflects to some extent that beef consumption per capita in UK and EU markets has reduced. However, the data also shows that demand for a higher quality, locally produced beef product that responds to consumer concerns such around quality, nutritional value and the environment is growing. “

Continues Luke: “The beef industry must therefore become more competitive and position itself in the market as a luxury protein and develop solutions for improvement to meet consumer needs. Beef cattle can require up to three years for a cycle in genetic development and so our ability to accelerate genetic development is limited compared to that of say chicken or pork. The ability to source marbling genetics at the very top of the spectrum of sires available worldwide is a major breakthrough in Noble Herd’s drive to meet customer expectations.”

“Better marble score performance not only results in a more pronounced point of difference in beef marbling and marbling fineness, but also has significant potential to reduce the number of days to slaughter. This reduced days to slaughter and time on concentrate feeding means we can reduce our farm carbon footprint whilst increasing sustainability, something that customers and producers increasingly appreciate. “

It is Noble Herd’s belief that these sustainability benefits aren’t just limited to the environment but are economic as well. “In Northern Ireland at least, beef is more competitively produced from grass and so a more focused approach to sire selection is actually helping us drive improvements in efficiency as well as beef product marketability.”

Says Luke: “Better marbling or better marbling genetics also means a higher oleic acid content, as a percentage in our beef, being responsible for helping our body metabolise fat in a healthier way, producing more ‘good’ cholesterol whilst reducing our ‘bad’ cholesterol. So Wagyu actually may be a healthier option compared to Angus or continental beef, contrary to common misconceptions.”

“No other breed really produces a solution to beef nutrition concerns like Wagyu and with better marbling genetics, a better nutritional profile across a benchmark can be achieved, “ concludes Luke. “In summary, better marbling genetics helps us improve meat quality, product nutritional profile, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Miku Wagyu’s sires provide the very best genetics available to the UK and EU market and offer a unique solution for producers in addressing consumer needs. The Noble Herd, acting as a distributor and agent for Miku Wagyu, is in a position to provide these genetics to producers in the EU and UK.”

For further information, please contact: Luke Smith T/A Noble Herd, 31 Mackenny Road, Cookstown, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK , BT80 9NF. M: 07515874609 E: luke@nobleherd.com

NEW BRITISH WAGYU TRADEMARK ANNOUNCED

The Wagyu Breeders Association (WBA) has confirmed the establishment of a new trademark (pictured below) for British Wagyu beef meaning the distinctive logo and wording are now protected through the UK Government’s Intellectual Property Office.

Commenting, WBA Director Philip Maddocks, says: “The new trademark is an integral part of the British Wagyu Assurance Scheme which we launched last year. It provides a strong visual marker to underpin consumer confidence. The assurance scheme includes branded ear tags and DNA verification to unite all parts of the supply chain in assuring the integrity of the British Wagyu brand.”

 The British Wagyu assurance scheme leads the industry in terms of traceability, animal welfare and trust to enhance the value of premium Wagyu beef. A number of retailers are committing to the scheme which will see the new logo soon start to appear on packaging and promotional materials.

NOTES ON THE BRITISH WAGYU ASSURANCE SCHEME

 The British Wagyu Assurance Scheme was launched on 1st July 2020. With a branded tissue punch ear tag and sire verification at its core, the novel scheme unites all parts of the supply chain in assuring the integrity of the British Wagyu brand.

 All rearers, growers, finishers, processors and retailers benefit from membership of the scheme as consumer demand for premium British Wagyu-assured beef grows – backed up by the distinctive new logo on packaging. It is financed through: agreements with the WBA’s major tag and DNA partners; logo royalties; and membership subscriptions.

 The principles of the scheme are:

·         All animals sire verified to a registered Fullblood Wagyu bull

·         Dams either dairy-bred or native breeds

·         All animals born in the United Kingdom

·         All animals tagged with British Wagyu-branded DNA tissue-punch tag

·         All animals DNA sire verified

·         All animals BVD tested negative

·         All animals whole-life Red Tractor assured

·         Minimum age at slaughter 24 months; no maximum age

·         No bull beef

 The scheme will: 

·         Lead the industry in terms of traceability, animal welfare and consumer trust

·         Enhance the integrity and value of premium Wagyu beef

·         Be at the forefront of data collection for meat quality, performance efficiency and climate change

·         Increase the profile and demand for British Wagyu

Integral to the success of the scheme are data collection and analysis which will underpin the             financial return on investment. With a world-leading partner in place to carry out DNA and genomic testing, and with access to carcase and performance data linking back to all sires, the whole supply chain will quickly have at their fingertips a valuable marketing and breeding tool to maximise efficiency and profitability as well as ticking wider environmental boxes.

From the outset, these will include standard carcase information such as days to slaughter, DLWG, carcase weight, killing-out percentage, and over time will expand to key economic traits like retail yield and feed efficiency. In the short term, important management factors such as calving ease, birthweight, gestation length and (semen) fertility can be incorporated with the medium-term ambition being to add marbling (marble score and fineness), tenderness and taste into the equation. 

WAGYU GERMANY SALE TOPS AT €10,500

GERMAN WAGYU SALE REACHES €10,500

• 24 Females average €5,571

• 91 Embryos level at €830 per

• Breeding bulls average €4,120 for 5 sold

• Semen €325 per straw

• Sale grosses €231,450 (£210,000 circa)

  The Wagyu DE sale, held online on Saturday 10th April 2021, realised a solid and consistent trade throughout resulting in an almost 100% clearance with 121 of the 123 lots finding buyers.

  Females sold to a top of €10,500 for the August 2020-born maiden heifer Miss Beijara sired by World K’s Beijirou FB2289 consigned by Wagyu DE, Altenberge. At €10,000 was Vanami (pictured), an April 2019 heifer sold by Wagyu Auetal sired by Blackmore Kinusurukiku H224.

  Embryos sold well with 91 averaging €830. Top price was €1,400 per embryo when 5 matings of Circle 8 Bulls Q122 & Philipp’s Mrs Pepper 836 (by Peppermill Grove L13) sold for €7,000 with potentially very high breeding values in marble score, marble fineness, ribeye and carcase weight.

  Breeding bulls sold to a top of €5,000 with five averaging €4,120. Leading price was WM Mr Itodoi from Wagyu Muensterland linebred with Itozuru Doi TF151. Closing the sale were five straws of Goorambat Mr Marble K483 selling for €1,625 in total and consigned by Holstein Wagyu.

  Averages:

  24 Females €5,571

  91 Embryos €830

  5 Bulls €4,120

  5 straws semen €325

  Full results on www.wagyu.de

Vanami €10,000

'WAGYU EDGE' ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TOUR 27 APRIL - 3 MAY

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) holds is annual ‘Wagyu Edge’ conference and tour in the Gold Coast, Queensland from 27 April to 3 May 2021. Featuring three days of inspiring speakers, a strong technical programme as well as branded beef competition and elite sale, you will find further information including how to take part online, on-demand or in person by clicking HERE.

WAGYU HERD PART OF NORFOLK ESTATE'S SUSTAINABLE VISION

Worstead Wagyu team L-R Bruce, Gavin & Alex Paterson

Brothers Gavin, Alex and Bruce Paterson have made some big changes to the management of the Worstead Estate, Norfolk, among them a new Wagyu herd. Courtesy of The Farmers Guardian, who ran this excellent three-page feature in their edition of 18 January, you can find out more by clicking HERE.

STEVE BINNIE AT BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS CONFERENCE 26 JANUARY

BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS CLUB Virtual Conference Tuesday 26th January 2021

Steve & Liz Binnie

Well-known Australian Wagyu breeder, Steve Binnie, is one of the keynote speakers at this year’s British Cattle Breeders Conference being held ‘virtually’ on 26 January from 9am. Steve runs Binnie Beef & Delta Wagyu at Mirannie Station, NSW, Australia. The title of his paper is ‘Adapt or Die.’ Drawing from the Binnie Family’s 120 years of stud cattle production, Delta Wagyu genetics, production and logistics capability must now prove itself across global supply chains, from Mongolian winters to deserts of Africa and everywhere in-between, says Steve. Delivering consistently mouth-watering steaks at the world’s best restaurants and now direct to homes, all starts with genetics. British Wagyu breeders may remember Steve speaking at the UK Wagyu Revolution Conference held at Warrendale Wagyu in June 2016. For the first time, the British Wagyu Association is one of the event’s sponsors with a limited number of WBA Members able to join the conference free of charge - please contact Richard Saunders on info@britishwagyu.co.uk if you would like to take part. Click HERE for the full conference programme or visit the BCBC website www.cattlebreeders.org.uk

WAGYU INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 10-12 NOVEMBER

Please click HERE for the delegate booklet for the Wagyu International Conference 10-12 November. With 200 delegates from across the globe, Day One certainly exceeded all expectations with the presentations reinforcing the position of Wagyu as a superior product. Day Two celebrates the Wagyu product with cooking demonstrations by four top international chefs, a session on the demand for Wagyu genetics, innovation in beef production as well as Wagyu meat as part of a healthy diet. Day Three will close with the technical sessions. Hosts are the South African Wagyu Society www.wagyu.org.za.

WAGYU ELITE SALE TOPS AT AUD$32,000

ELITE WAGYU SALE - WRAP UP

Females to $32k; Bulls top at $25k; Semen reaches $3,200

Here are the sale results from the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) Elite Sale held on 4 November 2020 courtesy of the AWA Weekly News Update.

”The Spring 2020 Elite Wagyu Sale met with weaker demand from International and Australian breeders due to the economic uncertainty from the virus throughout the world and the US elections.

Several lots were sold after the sale as Sellers tried to meet the market. The strongest demand was for embryos from all Australian buyers. Demand from Canada and USA was best in the semen sales with three international buyers buying four lots. It was certainly a buyer`s market due to the disruptions in the world today.”

8/18 FEMALES
Gross $106,000 Average $13,250 Top $32,000

4/11 BULLS
Gross $53,000 Average $13,250 Top $25,000

38/58 EMBRYOS (9/14 Lots)
Gross $55,100 Average $1,450 Top $2,100

80/130 SEMEN STRAWS (8/13 Lots)
Gross $57,450 Average $718 Top $3,200

29/56 Elite Wagyu Sale lots sold
Gross $ 271,550 Average $9,364

WAGYU VIRTUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 10-12 NOVEMBER

The programme is now available for the first ever Wagyu Virtual International Conference 10-12 November 2020. Delegate places cost $USD 150 and full information can be found by clicking HERE. A number of high-profile speakers and representatives from the worldwide Wagyu industry will be taking part. Day One addresses the theme of ‘Wagyu International Development’ whilst Day Two focuses on ‘Celebrating the Wagyu Product’ with Day Three comprising ‘Technical Sessions’. Hosts are the South African Wagyu Society www.wagyu.org.za.