New Wagyu Seedstock Sale
AUSTRALIA - In a move to provide a market-place for superior Wagyu genetics, the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) has launched an online Wagyu Fullblood 100% International Sale to culminate at the 2014 Wagyu Conference at the Gold Coast on Sunday, 12 October.Using the services of Landmark and AuctionsPlus, the sale will offer registered Fullblood live cattle, semen and embryos and will be the first of its type in Australia. Bids can be made at the conference or online from a computer anywhere in the world. It is planned to make this an annual event at each conference and increased frequency will be demand driven.
The sale provides members a marketing platform for their cattle and genetics and those seeking to expand or commence Wagyu breeding the opportunity to obtain elite genetics, many of which have not been available previously according to AWA president Scott de Bruin.
"The Wagyu breed has been through its investment stage and is now in the expansion stage and according to industry statistics, is the fastest growing major breed in Australia and sits in number eight spot based on the 6657 Wagyu calves registered in 2013." he said.
Australia is now home for the largest Wagyu herd outside Japan where a ban on the export of Wagyu cattle and genetic material exists.
The recent Lone Mountain Wagyu sale in the USA grossed over one million dollars for 90 Wagyu females and averaged A$12,532. Close to a third of the cattle sold to buyers outside the USA. The US bred Lone Mountain Wagyu are registered and Breedplan recorded with the Australian Wagyu Association.
"Because of the high value of Wagyu carcases, Australian Wagyu seedstock producers have concentrated on growing out slaughter animals rather than keeping bulls and females for sale," explained Mr de Bruin.
"The increase in interest in Wagyu has meant there is a growing demand from people entering the breed so they need to be given the opportunity to obtain elite genetics", he said.
The lots will be listed on AuctionsPlus with bidding commencing in the days prior to Sunday, 12 October when a session at the conference will see the final bids accepted and the sale finalised.
Landmark’s Brendan Wade said his company was delighted to be involved in this inaugural sale and predicted strong growth for the breed.
"We are already receiving enquiries from potential vendors and buyers and we see the sale as another part of the development of the Wagyu breed in Australia.
"This sale gives Landmark the opportunity to value add for both seedstock and commercial clients," he said.
"We already have some Wagyu supply chain arrangements in place as we see Wagyu as a growth industry with the enormous potential for this high value product yet to be realised.
Landmark is holding field days/workshops for clients interested in becoming involved in the supply chain producing highly valuable Wagyu Fullblood and Wagyu influenced cattle for backgrounders and feedlots.
TheCattleSite News Desk