The Australian Wagyu Association’s annual conference in May is expected to bring hundreds of visitors to Albury and the North East.
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The May 1-5 event will involve a three-day conference at the Albury Entertainment Centre then two days touring Wagyu operations across the region.
The post conference tours will visit Moyhu and Goorambat as well as Yalandra Wagyu in the Mitta Valley.
Organisers said producers would be able observe seedtsock production, the latest in artificial breeding techniques and get an in-depth look at Scott Giltrap’s Yalandra Wagyu vertically integrated supply chain.
The conference will serve as an introduction to the Wagyu industry for those just starting or those considering using Wagyu as well as critical information for established Wagyu breeders.
The region was chosen because it was the centre of the beef producing areas in the Riverina and North East where many herds are now using Wagyu genetics to increase returns.
It was also close to the Goulburn Valley where many dairy farmers were producing F1 Wagyu X Holstein calves.
“Almost half a day will be devoted to explaining the most efficient way of getting into the Wagyu industry by using Wagyu bulls and Wagyu semen in both beef and dairy herds”, association chief executive Graham Truscott said.
About 400 people attended last year’s conference in the Hunter Valley. Registrations for the conference and tours can be made on wagyu.org.au and early registrations close on March 1.
Presenters include producers who were already using Wagyu genetics, buyers who would contract to buy the calves and feedlotters who buy thousands of F1 Wagyu. They will explain the benefits and the pitfalls of F1 Wagyu breeding.
Meat and Livestock Australia’s Lisa Sharp will talk about what the future holds for beef of the highest eating quality, especially in the lucrative export markets.
The live export trade of F1 Wagyu to Japan provides an additional outlet and Matthew Edwards of Edwards Livestock will explain Japan’s requirements and how to become involved.
Other speakers planned for the May 1-3 conference include Jack’s Creek Wagyu, the Hunter Valley, which has for two successive years produced the “World’s Best Steak” in an international competition.
Co-principal Patrick Warmoll will reveal what is involved in producing a steak assessed the best in the world among entries from dozens of countries.
Veteran feedlot buyer Richard Eldershaw, Rangers Valley, feedlot will discuss the bloodlines that perform best in an operation which feeds thousands of Wagyu sired F1 Angus and F1 Holstein and which type of cattle he is prepared to buy.
Nick Sher, Sher Wagyu, one of Australia’s largest Wagyu producers, will talk on how Sher Wagyu has developed export markets in dozens of overseas countries, the type of cattle they buy, and how best to go about building a Wagyu breeding enterprise.