Over 400 delegates from all Australian states plus the USA, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom are heading for Albury for the Wagyu expansion conference and tour on May 1 to 5.
This is the largest number of delegates ever assembled for a Wagyu conference in Australia and reflects the rapidly growing interest in the breed which produces the highest quality marbled beef and delvers substantial premiums for those using Wagyu genetics according to the soon to retire Australian Wagyu Association CEO Graham Truscott.
The conference covers three days, May 1 to 3, followed by a two day tour of Wagyu operations in north-east Victoria.
As well as feasting on a range of Wagyu based dishes, Australia’s foremost Wagyu breeders, feedlotters, processors, exporters and food service personnel will deliver incisive presentations that will educate and inform delegates to assist in business decisions.
Meat and Livestock Australia’s marketing mastermind Lisa Sharp will announce some never before released information regarding the future of high quality beef in the world market and how that will impact Australian Wagyu producers.
A panel of industry exports will debate issues regarding the breeding paths that will be the most sustainable. They will discuss the optimum Wagyu influence needed. Should you be breeding F1, F2 or higher Wagyu content cattle?
Retiring CEO Graham Truscott will trace the breed’s explosive transition over the past five years from a secretive cottage industry to a mainstream beef industry attracting huge investors as well as traditional cattle producers. The incoming CEO Matt McDonagh will reveal plans for the next five years and make some predictions as to the breed’s future.
Cattle producers who have used Wagyu genetics over Angus and Holsteins will explain their reasons for changing their breeding strategies.
One session creating special interest is the demonstration of the new version of the Japanese developed digital carcase camera that can quickly and accurately record numerous traits in a carcase while simultaneously transmitting the information to the Wagyu database for processing and developing Breedplan EBVs. The camera’s developer, Professor Keigo Kuchida of the Obihiro University will explain the improvements in this new version soon to be released in Australia.
Another highlight will be the Wagyu Elite online sale featuring 48 lots of live cattle, embryos and semen representing the top echelons of the Wagyu breed.
Highlights of the Stanbroke Gala Dinner will include the announcement of the Branded Beef Competition winners, the Charity Auction and a special performance by Australia’s country music queen, Sara Storer.
