WORLD WAGYU COUNCIL WEBSITE GOES LIVE

We are pleased to announce the launch of the World Wagyu Council website. In 2021, the WBA became a founding member of the World Wagyu Council whose mission is to enhance the Wagyu brand internationally. The World Wagyu Council is comprised of Wagyu breed associations and societies from countries around the world dedicated to cooperative efforts and initiatives for members to promote and develop the integrity of the Wagyu breed and brand internationally. Please click HERE to view the new website.

BEEF EXPO WAGYU SHOWCASE

The Wagyu Breeders Association & Warrendale Wagyu joined together to present a tremendous showcase of British Wagyu at the National Beef Association Beef Expo held at Darlington Farmers Mart on Saturday 28th May 2022.

This was the first time that Wagyu cattle had been presented at an industry-wide event and a combination of technical information, videos, literature and the cattle themselves saw British Wagyu win the Best Breed Stand award.

Mark Dent, DFAM Chairman (centre), presenting the Best Stand prize to (l-r) Jamie Brownrigg, Richard Saunders, Ed Martinson & Katrina Little

One of Warrendale Wagyu’s local partner farmers, Mark Elson of Hall Farm, Hornby supplied the Wagyu F1 finishing cattle which were all sired by the high-marbling Australian bull Peppermill Grove and out of Holstein cows. They were made up of three steers aged 24-25 months and two 24-month-old heifers weighing up to 750kg.

Wagyu crossbred steers and heifers aged 24-25 months

Mark Elson (left) pictured with Warrendale Wagyu Production Director Jamie Brownrigg

Thank you to all those who made the event such a success.

(l-r) Katrina Little, Mark Elson, Jamie Brownrigg & Ed Martinson from Warrendale Wagyu

GREAT TURNOUT AT WAGYU OPEN MEEETING & AGM

BRITISH WAGYU OPEN MEETING & AGM 14 APRIL

Wyndford Wagyu Team

 The Wagyu Breeders Association held its Open Meeting & AGM on 14th April at Wyndford Wagyu, Shropshire, courtesy of Philip Maddocks. A great turnout saw members and guests joined by sponsors and partners along with Wagyu breeders from Northern Ireland, Germany and the Republic of Ireland.

 Welcoming all attendees, Company Secretary Richard Saunders reported that the association was continuing to grow at pace both in terms of numbers of cattle registrations and membership with over 13,000 Wagyu-sired births – up about a third on the year – and more than 150 Fullblood breeders, commercial and associate members.

 Wagyu is a unique breed with unique opportunities

He explained that Wagyu is a special breed of cattle with a genetic predisposition to be easy calving with low birthweight, short gestation, easy managed and very fertile. Then comes Wagyu’s USP – its great marbling which not only brings a tender, rich and juicy taste but it is this marbling that is full of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, omega 3s and 6s – the heart-healthy ‘good’ fats.

 “So, all in all we have a fantastic and unique product – the breed itself, its highly marbled meat plus let’s not forget Wagyu’s ability to deliver a premium to all parts of the supply chain,” he said.

 He concluded by saying the WBA also has major industry backing with a number of important retailers on board, and a strong relationship with tag manufacturer Caisley along with Genus who provider DNA verification and evaluations. MIJ carcase camera technology alongside a partnership with the Australian Wagyu Association would further allow the association to measure, record and reward the quality it produces.

 Directors Q&A Round Table

WBA Directors Chris Dickinson, Hugh Pocock and Jim Bloom joined their fellow Director Philip Maddocks for a Q&A session on British Wagyu’s vision and growth plan for the association. This included news of the new digital marketing campaign highlighting Wagyu as the world’s luxury beef along with details of the further roll-out of the innovative quality assurance scheme.

 Creating a great British Wagyu brand

The Directors felt that up to now British Wagyu had been promoted well to the beef industry but the next step was to embark on an ambitious marketing plan aimed at the public in terms of ‘push-pull’ momentum so that consumers generate demand which in turn drives the whole industry forward. It was felt that the association had only just scratched the surface in promoting the eating quality and health benefits of Wagyu.

 Enhancing its British Wagyu Assurance Scheme

Having already established a set of standards for its premium British Wagyu marque, the WBA announced details of an agreement put in place with an independent certifying organisation to further bolster and protect its British Wagyu Quality Assurance branding. 

Farm Tour

Wyndford Wagyu Commercial Director, Jess Edwards, then led a tour of the farm giving an in-depth explanation of their seedstock and embryo programme, calf-rearing protocols encompassing feed and nutrition, selection and breeding, finishing diets. The day concluded with a delicious lunch and Wagyu tasting menu. Members went away full of enthusiasm and praise for a well-run and informative day. Grateful thanks are extended to all the team at Wyndford Wagyu especially Philip Maddocks and Jess Edwards.

BRITISH WAGYU OPEN MEETING & AGM 14 APRIL

BRITISH WAGYU OPEN MEETING & AGM THURS 14 APRIL 2022 - ALL WELCOME!
The Wagyu Breeders Association is holding an Open Meeting & AGM at Wyndford Wagyu, Shropshire courtesy of Philip Maddocks on Thursday 14th April 10am-2pm.

Wyndford Wagyu Fulblood Cows and Calves pictured at Chadwell Court Farm

The provisional programme for the day is as follows: arrival/refreshments (10am), welcome and introduction (10.30-11), Q&A (11-11.30), cattle viewing (11.30-1) followed by light lunch. The following address and postcode will bring you to the correct location which will be signposted off the A41. Wyndford Wagyu, Chadwell Court Farm, Chadwell, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 9BG.

Some of the British Wagyu Team pictured visiting Wyndford Wagyu last year. L-R Jim Bloom (WBA Director), Philip Maddocks (WBA Director & Wyndford Wagyu Owner), Jamie Brownrigg (Warrendale Wagyu Production Director), Jess Edwards (Wyndford Wagyu Commercial Director)

To reserve your place, please email Company Secretary Richard Saunders info@britishwagyu.co.uk. Open to Members and non-Members. All are welcome but booking is essential.

BRITISH WAGYU FEATURED IN AWA UPDATE MAGAZINE

British Wagyu has been featured in the most recent Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) Update magazine published in January 2022. The double-page spread highlights the growing impact that British Wagyu producers are having on the UK livestock industry as well as going into some detail about the successful partnership being developed with Australia. To read the full article please click HERE. Wishing you a good read!

MEAT IMAGING USA AT BCBC CONFERENCE 25 JANUARY

A Packed Programme Of Expert Speakers From The UK And Beyond Will Inform And Inspire Delegates At The British Cattle Breeders Conference in January 2022

The theme for the conference, which will be held virtually on 25 January, is ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ to reflect BCBC chair Karen Wonnacott’s drive to deliver positive, forward-looking messages after the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current challenges facing the agricultural industry.

Desi Cicale, Founder & CEO of Meat Imaging USA

In the beef room, founder and CEO of Meat Imaging USA, Desi Cicale will share her insights into the recent introduction of Meat Image Japan (MIJ) carcase camera technology to the UK, and what benefits it could offer not only Wagyu producers over here but the wider UK beef industry.

Says WBA Company Secretary Richard Saunders: “This is a hugely exciting time for the premium end of the beef industry with customers demanding not only superior eating quality but also animals that are fully traceable and reared to the highest welfare standards. At the end of 2021, we introduced world-leading Meat Image Japan (MIJ) carcase camera technology into UK Wagyu production enabling us to collect a myriad of marbling score and other data to ultimately differentiate and reward quality. This reinforces the already successful British Wagyu assurance scheme which unites all parts of the supply chain in assuring the integrity of the British Wagyu brand. We are on our way to creating a global standard for Wagyu beef and an internationally comparable grading system for Beef Marbling Standard (BMS).”

The British Cattle Breeders’ Club ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ Conference will give you just what you need to kickstart your 2022 and the organisers look forward to welcoming you to the event to listen to the industry-leading speakers it has gathered together. Please click HERE for the Full Programme or to book your virtual place on the online conference on 25th January, please see www.cattlebreeders.org.uk