A TWO day Wagyu genetics and genomics field day and workshop next month at Toowoomba and nearby Jondaryan on Queensland’s Darling Downs will unravel many of the questions existing and potential Wagyu producers have about how to benefit from the exceptional world-wide demand for Australian Wagyu beef.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
The field day component will be at Kerwee Lot Feeders at Jondaryan on Monday November 14 where 180 Wagyu sired steers are being fed through GrowSafe equipment that measures and monitors feed intake and weight gain.
It is the first time in Australia this type of assessment has occurred under commercial feedlot conditions. This sire progeny test discovers the sires with superior net feed intake and carcase performance.
According to the Australian Wagyu Association’s technical services manager Carel Teseling, the efficiency of converting feed to weight is an important financial aspect of beef cattle production regardless of whether cattle are in a feedlot or pasture fed.
“We have found there are considerable differences between genetic lines and it is important for established and new Wagyu breeders to fully understand the implications of genetic selection,” he said.
The field day then becomes a workshop at the nearby Jondaryan Woolshed where Kerwee Feedlot manager Steve Martin and Mr Teseling will discuss the importance of net feed intake and answer questions.
This will be followed by sessions on how to efficiently record Wagyu cattle through the latest software programs, the importance of Breedplan in herd improvement and how to identify carcase quality and fertility, areas critical to successful beef cattle operations.
These session will be followed by the Australian Wagyu Association’s (AWA) annual general meeting and a Wagyu dinner at Jondaryan Woolshed.
“We encourage existing, new and potential Wagyu industry participants to attend all these sessions and the dinner to gain as much knowledge as possible to assist in establishing and maintaining successful Wagyu operations,” said Graham Truscott the AWA’s chief executive officer.
“The aim of these two days is to provide the knowledge that facilitates successful Wagyu businesses and all are welcome,” he said.
The event then moves 50kms to Toowoomba’ s City Golf Club for Day 2 on November 15 where a range of topics will include genotyping and parent verification, single step Breedplan, data linking for the entire Australian beef industry and the new Wagyu content test.
Of particular interest will be a Q & A session involving AWA’s entire board of directors who will invite questions on all aspects of Wagyu production.
“We are fortunate to have representatives of all the many aspects of the Wagyu industry on our board right from genetics selection right through to supplying branded product at retail level ,” said Mr Truscott.
“This is a unique opportunity to call on the experience of this panel of industry specialists who are passionate about Wagyu,” he said.
Registrations are now open on www.wagyu.org.au.
