Wagyu Branded Beef Comp 2020 now open for entries

It is that time of year again, when the Australian Wagyu Association calls for entries into the Wagyu Branded Beef Competition for 2020.

The only branded beef competition supported by a breed association, the Wagyu Branded Beef Competition is an opportunity to benchmark your product against your peers. Celebrating Fullblood, Crossbred and Commercial Classes, the competition seeks to promote excellence in Wagyu beef production for producers and brand owners.

The categories are:

1. Fullblood Japanese Black Steak
2. Open Crossbred Wagyu Steak
3. Commercial Wagyu Steak marble score 5-7

In addition to Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for each category, Category Champion awards will be awarded to the highest scoring entry in each category. The highest scoring Category Champion will be awarded the Grand Champion Award. Terms and

Conditions for the competition can be found on the AWA Website.
Wagyu beef is characterised by its large eye-muscle and unique high-quality fine marbling and characteristic umami flavour, giving an exceptional eating experience.

To be true to Wagyu as the ‘world’s luxury beef’ the decision has been made to not include the Gourmet Sausage class for 2020.

Judging of the Wagyu beef is based on five criteria: visual appeal (raw and cooked), juiciness, flavour, aroma and the physical sensation in your mouth. Last year saw the highest scores ever achieved within the Branded Beef Competition, across all categories of entry, with the judges remarking at the consistently outstanding quality put forward.

Corporate Executive Chef, John Alexander will once again preside at the judging, which this year will take place at Cha Cha Char Wine Bar & Grill, Brisbane on March 17, 2020 and the winners announced at the annual conference WagyuEdge 2020 Gala Dinner, to be held Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, 31 April – 2 May, 2020.

Entry forms can be completed through the AWA Branded Beef Competition website.
Entries close 14 February, 2020. Any queries please do not hesitate to be in touch with Ron Fitzgerald on 0428 456 293 or email email

Important Notice and Disclaimer

It is very important that you appreciate when viewing the AWA database that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and Index values, is based on data supplied by members and/or third parties.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information reported through AWA, AWA officers and employees assume no responsibility for its content, use or interpretation. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the use by you of the data on this AWA database and the information supplied by ABRI and AGBU being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

Regarding EBVs and Index values, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

EBVs are derived using Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN technology developed independently by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), using the information contained within the AWA database.
AGBU is a joint venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England, which receives funding for this purpose from Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
AWA relies solely on advice provided by AGBU and ABRI in accepting Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN software.
EBVs published in Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
EBVs can only be directly compared to other EBVs calculated in the same monthly Wagyu Group BREEDPLAN analysis.

Regarding pedigree and DNA testing results submitted to the AWA, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

Pedigree and DNA data submitted and supplied to AWA may have errors in it which cannot be detected without further DNA testing.
Technology may have advanced since a particular test was undertaken so that previous inaccuracies which were not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology.
AWA estimates that less than 1% of the pedigree entries, ownership or breeding details in the AWA Herdbook may have errors or which may be misleading. For this reason, users ought to consider if they need to obtain independent testing of the relevant animal (if possible) to ensure that the data is accurate.

Regarding prefectural content, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

Prefectural content is based on the estimation of prefectural origin from Japanese breeding records of 201 foundation sires and 168 foundation dams. As genotype-based parent verification is not used in Japan, and full Japanese registration certificates are not available for all foundation animals, exact prefectural composition for these sires and dams cannot be validated.
The calculation of prefectural content for Australian Herdbook animals relies on the accuracy of pedigree records and DNA samples provided by AWA members.
The reporting of prefectural content for animals within the AWA Herdbook relies on the calculation provided by ABRI.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and extent of the data provided on this website or the EBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek independent expert advice.