The Summer 2023 edition of the British Wagyu Newsletter is available to read by clicking HERE. Members will already have received their copy by post during July. It’s not too late to join the association and get your copy by getting in touch at info@britishwagyu.co.uk. Enjoy your read!
WORLD WAGYU CONFERENCE, TEXAS, USA SEPTEMBER 2023
2023 American Wagyu Conference and World Wagyu Council Tour
Texas, USA: American Wagyu Conference 21-23 September; World Wagyu Council Tour 24-30 September
Experience the epitome of Wagyu excellence at the highly anticipated American Wagyu Association (AWA) Conference of 2023! Join industry leaders, breeders, and enthusiasts for an unforgettable event packed with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a captivating showcase of the finest Wagyu cattle. Mark your calendars for September 21-23rd and make your way to the exquisite JW Marriott in San Antonio, TX, where the Wagyu world will convene.
At the AWA Conference, you'll have the unique chance to immerse yourself in a world of knowledge and innovation. Engage in inspiring keynote speeches delivered by industry experts who will share their insights and visions for the future of Wagyu. Dive deep into educational sessions that cover a wide range of topics, from breeding techniques to farming practices, providing you with invaluable knowledge to elevate your own Wagyu endeavors.
To further support the Wagyu community and showcase your brand, we invite you to become a sponsor of the AWA Conference. As a sponsor, you'll gain prominent visibility and brand recognition throughout the event. Your logo will be featured in conference materials, the official website, and promotional materials, allowing you to reach a targeted audience of Wagyu enthusiasts, breeders, and industry professionals. Additionally, as a sponsor, you'll enjoy priority access to exhibitor spaces and enhanced visibility in the exhibitor showcase.
But the excitement doesn't end there. For those seeking an even more immersive Wagyu experience, we invite you to join our exclusive World Wagyu Tour in Texas. Embark on a journey through the Lone Star State, renowned for its rich heritage of exceptional beef production. Explore picturesque Wagyu farms, witness the meticulous breeding practices, and engage with passionate breeders who have dedicated their lives to producing some of the finest Wagyu beef in the world. Immerse yourself in educational sessions led by industry experts, where you'll learn about Wagyu genetics, breeding techniques, and the art of selecting and preparing Wagyu beef. Connect with fellow Wagyu enthusiasts, breeders, and professionals, forging lasting connections and celebrating the legacy and excellence of Wagyu beef.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this unparalleled Wagyu event. Reserve your spot at the AWA Conference by clicking the AWA Conference register button below to complete the online registration form, or mail in your completed registration form in the Prospectus to the following address:
American Wagyu Association
PO Box 1115
Post Falls, ID 83877
To secure your sponsorship package today, contact our office at office@wagyu.org, or call us at 208-262-8100. See sponsorship opportunity breakdowns in the Prospectus.
Registration for the World Wagyu Tour is separate from AWA Conference Registration. Please click the Prospectus button for more information. To register for the World Wagyu Tour, please click the World Wagyu Tour registration button below.
Join us in celebrating the excellence of American Wagyu and make a lasting impact on the Wagyu community. Get ready for a remarkable journey that will ignite your passion for Wagyu like never before!
Click Here to Register for the AWA Conference
Click Here to View the Prospectus and Sponsorship Opportunities
Click Here to Register for the World Wagyu Tour
WAGYU 'FIRST' AT SCOTLAND'S BEEF EVENT
Warrendale Wagyu teamed up with the British Wagyu Association with a joint stand as first-time exhibitor at Scotland’s Beef Event held on Tuesday 6th June 2023 at Dalswinton Estate near Dumfries. Attended by several thousand visitors, a busy day was had talking to farmers and the wider industry about opportunities for British Wagyu.
As well as information about the breed, the farm-to-fork approach started with a chiller display followed by tasting a range of Wagyu cuts. These were the usual fillet, sirloin and rump but also cuts like goose skirt, flat iron, Denver and bavette which are eminently ‘steakable’ thanks to Wagyu’s unique tenderness and marbling.
L-R Lucy Corner, Richard Saunders, Jamie Brownrigg & Katrina Donaldson
Warrendale are actively looking for new calf rearers, growers and finishers in Scotland for their integrated beef scheme with Jamie Brownrigg, Katrina Donaldson and – new to the team – Lucy Corner on hand to give advice. Overall, an enjoyable and successful event!
Thank you to Alan Dickinson of North Netherscales, Cumbria for supplying the stand with six Wagyu-cross stores and finishers ranging from 18 to 26 months of age
BRITISH WAGYU MOMENTUM BUILDS AT 250-STRONG CONFERENCE
BRITISH WAGYU MOMENTUM BUILDS AT 250-STRONG CONFERENCE
Warrendale Wagyu Conference 17-18 May 2023, Telford, Shrops
Held in partnership with British Wagyu Association & Wyndford Wagyu
High-profile retailer, processor and farmer presence
Excellent turnout for the two-day conference held 17-18 May in Telford
250 people attended a two-day conference in and around Telford, Shropshire 17-18 May as momentum for British Wagyu beef continues to build. Welcoming retailers, processors and a strong line-up of UK and international speakers as well as both current and prospective farmer partners, the event was staged by the East-Yorkshire family farming business, Warrendale Wagyu, who run a fully integrated Wagyu beef supply chain.
Warrendale Wagyu Founder, Jim Bloom, opens the conference
After a Wagyu-themed lunch provided by Dovecote Park’s New Product Development team, Day One comprised four conference sessions.
Setting the scene, Warrendale MD, Tom Richardson, went through their story so far before explaining where the business was going as Warrendale Wagyu moves towards 800 farmers producing up to 1,000 cattle per week.
Tom Richardson, MD Warrendale Wagyu
Irene Breider & Neil Wharton from Genus then presented the results of the data sets they had collected for both maternal and terminal traits – these included calving surveys, bull proofs and carcase figures incorporating Meat Image Japan (MIJ) carcase camera technology.
Neil Wharton, Genus
Irene Breider, Genus
Nick Rose, Buying Director for Aldi UK, then updated the audience on the exciting journey to date, shared their successes and accolades, before turning to how they will continue to grow and deliver Aldi’s long-term ambitions with Warrendale.
Nick Rose, Aldi
Session Two saw Matt McDonagh, CEO of the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA), bring delegates up-to-speed with Wagyu developments worldwide before exploring future opportunities for the UK to enhance the value of Wagyu. At its heart is the analysis of 14 key Wagyu production traits across 250,000 animals within a global evaluation.
Matt McDonagh, AWA
Angela Tant from Red Tractor then explained the numbers behind the Red Tractor logo and why so many consumers recognise and trust this flagship brand of British food and farming.
Angela Tant, Red Tractor
In the third session, Wyndford Wagyu’s Commercial Director, Jess Edwards, gave delegates an insight into the growth of their 400-head Fullblood Wyndford herd which was being developed in pursuit of elite herd status with lasting connections in the Wagyu world.
Jess Edwards, Wyndford Wagyu
An excellent Q&A session rounded of the formal programme. This was chaired by BWA Director, Chris Dickinson, with farmer and processor representatives comprising: Laurie Ibbotson (Commercial Director, Dovecote Park); Andrew Ward (Dairy - Littleton Farm, Dumfries & Galloway); Eddie Rixon (Grower - Lopemede Farm, Oxon) and Paul Metcalfe (Finisher - Gillingwood Hall, N Yorks).
Panel Q&A
Drinks reception
Hakkasan’s Shui Mai Wagyu dumplings
Rounding off the first day was a Drinks Reception sponsored by Oxbury Bank followed by a Gala Dinner with a main course of Wagyu tomahawk steaks provided by Aldi with wine sponsored jointly by Caisley and Genus.
Wagyu tomahawks
Seating plan
There followed the presentation of the inaugural British Wagyu Ambassador Award to the late Mike Tucker, founding Chairman of the BWA who passed away in 2018, and this was made by Michael Carpenter of Kelvin Cave Ltd to Mike’s son Andrew.
L-R Richard Saunders, Georgie Tucker, Andrew Tucker, Michael Carpenter
After-dinner speaker was former England rugby international Simon Shaw MBE who talked about his sporting career dovetailing with his experiences in the beef industry and restaurant trade.
The evening’s Charity Raffle and Silent Auction raised a combined £8,219 to jointly benefit the Farming Community Network (FCN) and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (Motor Neurone Disease).
Making use of the social media backdrop!
Special commemorative Warrendale Wagyu gin
Day Two was spent at nearby Wyndford Wagyu with visitors able to experience first-hand the passion for producing top quality cattle, semen and embryos at this Fullblood herd with a sharp focus on accurate performance data collection and genomics.
Wyndford Wagyu cattle sheds
The event welcomed guests from Ireland, Hong Kong, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland and Australia
Great turnout at Wyndford Wagyu
Addressing the conference, BWA Company Secretary, Richard Saunders said: “In the space of just a few short years, the British Wagyu industry has grown as we forge partnerships with some truly outstanding and pioneering organisations. Our future growth plans reflect the ambition of working with these world-leading partners to not only deliver a consistently great product to the consumer but also build trust, grow the British Wagyu brand and importantly earn a premium for everyone in the supply chain. Ultimately, it’s all about the product and this is what gives all of us here the confidence to invest in the bright future that is British Wagyu Beef.”
BWA Company Secretary Richard Saunders
MIJ carcase camera in action
Wagyu beef chiller display
Grateful thanks are extended to all the team at Warrendale Wagyu, Wyndford Wagyu and to all industry partners, sponsors and farmer partners for making the event such a success. Please click HERE for conference programme.
BRITISH WAGYU CONFERENCE 17-18 MAY
Warrendale Wagyu is holding a two-day conference in Telford, Shropshire, UK in partnership with the British Wagyu Breeders Association and Wyndford Wagyu Weds 17th - Thurs 18th May 2023. The provisional programme ( click HERE ) includes a conference with industry-leading speakers, a focus on Warrendale Wagyu’s supply chain including processor, farmer and retailer perspectives, a visit to Wyndford Wagyu’s 400-head Fullblood herd as well as a gala dinner and overnight stay at the Telford Hotel & Golf Resort. Keynote speaker is Dr Matt McDonagh, Australian Wagyu Association CEO.
Delegates may wish to ‘make the most of it’ and stay overnight and/or make use of the spa and leisure facilities and/or golf at the hotel. Full details including timings, costs and how to book are available by following the link above. Booking deadline 31 March. Warrendale Wagyu founder, Jim Bloom says: “We look forward to seeing you at Telford in May to learn more about Warrendale Wagyu in both Britain and globally; not forgetting a ‘bit of craic’, a drink or two and a chance to enjoy the world’s luxury beef!”
BRITISH WAGYU MARKET SHARE UP 27%
Figures released by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) for 2022 show that British Wagyu, known for its highly marbled premium beef, has increased its numbers by 27% on the year. The figures, for beef cattle born in England, Wales & Scotland, reveal over 17,000 Wagyu-sired calves were born in 2022. Of these, 15,933 were crossbred (sired by a Wagyu bull) and 1,150 purebred or Fullblood - totalling 17,083 head of Wagyu animals when compared to 13,457 in 2021. Please click HERE for full breakdown.
Chris Dickinson
Says WBA Director Chris Dickinson: “It’s great to see British Wagyu numbers continuing to grow year-on-year and a further sign that Wagyu in the UK is much more than just a ‘fad’. The profile of the breed has risen dramatically over the past 2-3 years and is now a significant player in the UK beef industry. As both Wagyu producer and WBA Director, I can’t wait to see where we can get to in the coming years.”
WAGYU EDGE CONFERENCE, AUSTRALIA, APRIL 2023
Emily Rabone, Marketing & Communications Manager at the Australian Wagyu Association, writes with details of the forthcoming Wagyu Edge Conference…
Dear International Members,
A quick email to formally invite you to join us for our biggest and best conference yet - WagyuEdge23 - in Sydney, Australia from the 19th to 24th April. I know a lot of you are already making plans to join us but I just wanted to let you know that there are now only 30 spots left on our post conference tour starting on the 22nd April.
WagyuEdge23 Conference – 19th to 21st April. WagyuEdge23, hosted by the Australian Wagyu Association, is the leading international forum for the global Wagyu sector presenting a unique opportunity for Australian and international delegates to meet, find new partners, discuss challenges and share research, technologies and best practice. An exciting mixture of industry events will take place in and around Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Held waterside adjacent to Darling Harbour at Hyatt Regency Sydney, WagyuEdge23 will also feature the Wagyu Branded Beef Awards Dinner held at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf with outstanding views of the Harbour Bridge, city skyline and Darling Harbour, the Elite Wagyu Sale while cruising the shimmering waters of Sydney Harbour and a not to be missed industry dinner.
WagyuEdge23 Regional Tour – 22nd to 24th April. After the conference, join the buses for an unforgettable regional NSW tour. We will visit three Wagyu operations during the tour: Kuro Kin Wagyu, a leading producer of Fullblood Wagyu and F1 Wagyu. Bald Ridge Wagyu, specialising in fullblood black and red Wagyu and Gooree Park Mudgee, a producer of Wagyu, thoroughbreds and wine. Buses will depart Sydney Saturday 22 April, returning to Sydney airport by 1pm Monday 24 April. Limited seats are available on the tour bus. Book early to avoid missing out.
The whole event promises to deliver inspirational learning, connection and celebration. For more information and for all registration and accommodation links, please head to our website. https://www.wagyu.org.au/sales-events/wagyuedge
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming all of our international friends to Sydney in April.
Emily Rabone
Marketing and Communications Manager emily@wagyu.org.au
WINTER 2022/23 NEWSLETTER
We hope you enjoy reading the latest Wagyu Breeders Association Newsletter which was posted to Members at the end of 2022. Please click HERE to access it. If you would like a copy sending out to you, please email Company Secretary Richard Saunders info@britishwagyu.co.uk.
WAGYU GLOBAL MARKETS
As we head into 2023, Wagyu Breeders Association Company Secretary, Richard Saunders, takes a look at some of the latest insights into worldwide Wagyu beef trends with the global Wagyu beef market expected to reach up to 34.87 Billion USD by 2029. Click HERE for the full report.
BRITISH WAGYU ASSURANCE SCHEME BUILDS ON RED TRACTOR CERTIFICATION
BRITISH WAGYU ASSURANCE SCHEME BUILDS ON RED TRACTOR CERTIFICATION
The Wagyu Breeders Association (WBA) has teamed up with leading farm assurance certification bodies SAI Global and NSF to underpin their British Wagyu Assurance Scheme. As all its 200+ partner farmers are already Red Tractor members, the WBA has added a ‘bolt-on’ to the farm’s regular Red Tractor audit for cost-effectiveness and ease of use. This means assessors can check the additional stipulations of the WBA Assurance Scheme at the same time as the usual on-farm audit.
WBA Company Secretary Richard Saunders (l) and Warrendale Wagyu Production Director Jamie Brownrigg (r) pictured with Red Tractor Technical Manager Jemma Holden at October’s Borderway Agri Expo
These include:
Whole-life Red Tractor assured status
British Wagyu-branded approved eartag
Wagyu DNA sire verification
Dams either dairy-bred or native breeds
BVD tested virus negative
Minimum slaughter age 24 months
Trademarked logo of British Wagyu Assured
Commenting, WBA Director Chris Dickinson said: “The British Wagyu assurance scheme leads the industry in terms of traceability, animal welfare and consumer trust, enhancing in turn the integrity and value of premium Wagyu beef.”
WBA Company Secretary Richard Saunders (r) & Warrendale Wagyu Production Director Jamie Brownrigg (c) pictured with SAI Global UK & Ireland Agriculture Development Manager Nik Searston (l)
Red Tractor is the flagship logo of British food and farming
Red Tractor Beef & Lamb Board Chairman, John Dracup, added: “As the UK’s most trusted assurance scheme, Red Tractor provides the confidence to UK shoppers and diners, that beef carrying its logo has been produced with care, and delivers the high standards expected of British farmers and growers. Red Tractor ensures that the Wagyu beef scheme is a traceable product which meets high levels of animal welfare.”
Full rules around the WBA Assurance Scheme can be found on www.britishwagyu.co.uk.