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2023 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition

Kilcoy takes out Grand Champion for the first time

Wednesday, 26 April 2023

Kilcoy takes out Grand Champion for the first time

The award winners for the best Wagyu brands in Australia were celebrated at the Wagyu Sectors Industry Dinner evening on the 19th of April, in front of 600 leading producers, experts and brands. This was the 12th year of the Wagyu Branded Beef Competition, with a total of had 58 world class entries judged by a panel of 36 food and beef industry experts to crown the very best Australian Wagyu. Judged across five classes –Fullblood Japanese Black Steak, Purebred Wagyu Steak, Open Crossbred Wagyu Steak, Open F1 Wagyu Steak, Commercial Wagyu Steak Marble Score 5-7– with judges scoring visual appeal (raw and cooked), juiciness, flavour, aroma and the physical sensation in your mouth. The WBBC promotes excellence in the production of Wagyu beef and advancement of Wagyu – the worlds luxury beef

Grand Champion and Class 1 Fullblood Wagyu Champion
Sponsored by Ariat Australia & Ced Wise AB Services

The 2023 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition, Grand Champion brand was awarded to the winner of Class 1 – Fullblood Japanese Black – JADE Wagyu, Kilcoy Global Foods. This was the first time Kilcoy had received Grand Champion in the WBBC. This remarkable Fullblood entry was bred by Arubial Wagyu, this entry had a very impressive 58% marbling, with marbling fineness of 8.8 and Eye muscle area of 109cm and again a very high 59% unsaturated fats. The judges remarked that this was the ultimate experience of rich caramelized and roasted aroma with silky smooth tenderness and long lasting juiciness – Deliciously balanced and succulent.

Upon receiving the award, Mr Bede McAlpin, Regional Manager South East Asia and Middle East, Kilcoy Global Foods said “Kilcoy Global Foods feels extremely humbled to be selected Grand Champion Wagyu Brand for the 2023 Competition for our JADE Wagyu Brand. The investments in our processing assets at Kilcoy, Hardwicks and Lance Creek have enabled the maximising of our high end premium programs to supplement our growing global customer base.”

Mr McAlpin went on to say “our supply chain partners work tirelessly to provide a product that is truly world class and our investment in our processing, people and route to market strategies enable the full potential of our Wagyu programs of Carrara and JADE to exceed all the expectations of our customers”

Kilcoy Global Foods team with breeders of their champion entry and supply chain partners, Laird and Sonia Morgan, Arubial Wagyu, alongside AWA CEO Dr Matt McDonagh

Reserve Champion
Sponsored by Ariat Australia

The reserve champion of the WBBC was Kiwami by Stockyard. Bred by AWA Honorary Life Member Arthur Dew from Longford Station, the high marbling of 52%, with high fineness of 8.8 and very high unsaturated fat levels at 61% made this entry stand out. The judges described the Kiwami entry as beautifully tender with sweet aroma, meting butter flavour, dissolving juiciness, a superb Wagyu example

 

Class 1 Fullblood Wagyu
Sponsored by Ced Wise AB Services

Gold Medallists

  • JADE Wagyu by Kilcoy
  • Kiwami by Stockyard
  • Jack’s Creek Wagyu by Jack’s Creek
  • T.S Mort by Mort & Co
  • Stone Axe Fullblood Wagyu by Stone Axe Pastoral Company
  • Macquarie Wagyu by Direct Meat Company
  • Cobungra Station Fullblood Wagyu by Stone Axe Pastoral Company

Silver Medallists

  • Infinite Full Blood Wagyu by Rangers Valley
  • L’Grow by Lotte International

Class 2 Purebred Wagyu
Sponsored by Bovine Dynamics

The Purebred Wagyu Steak is a new category for the WBBC, recognizing the outstanding gains being seen in the Purebred Sector. The Champion of Class 2 Purebred Wagyu was awarded to Jack’s Creek with their Jack’s Creek Wagyu Brand. Bred by Hughes pastoral from a purebred sire, this entry had very high marbling of 61%, moderate marble fineness of 7.0 out of 10 and an eye muscle area of 97.3 cm. The judges remarked that this entry was an explosion of marbling with delicate tenderness and aromas of toasted macadamia, soft silky mouthfeel and superb flavour – Delicious!.

Gold Medallists

  • Jack’s Creek Wagyu by Jack’s Creek
  • Okan Wagyu by Pardoo

Silver Medallists

  • Master Selection by Mort & Co
  • Kiwami by Stockyard
  • Kind River by King River

Bronze Medallists

  • Imperial Blossom Beef by Starzen Australia
  • WX by Rangers Valley

Class 3 Crossbred Wagyu
Sponsored by Hughes & Georgina Pastoral Group

A celebration of the best Crossbred Wagyu production. The Open Crossbred class is a long-standing feather of the WBBC and this year, the champion was awarded to Okan by Pardoo Wagyu. This entry was bred at home by Georgina Pastoral for Pardoo and although it did not have the leading MIJ marbling percentage in the class, it rated most highly with the judges who adored the well aged, soft, silky and delicate texture, with lasting juiciness. Delicious toasty umami flavour with a sweet buttery aroma.

Gold Medallists

  • Okan Wagyu by Pardoo
  • Connors Wagyu Beef by Direct Meat company
  • ICON XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods
  • Stockyard Black by Stockyard Beef
  • Omino by Harmony Agriculture & Food Company
  • Carrara 640 by Kilcoy Global Foods
  • Diamantina Wagyu by Stanbroke

Silver Medallists

  • The Phoenix by Mort & Co
  • L’Grow by Lotte international

Bronze Medallists

  • King River by King River

 

Class 4 Open F1 Wagyu
Sponsored by Prime Cut Meats

The open F1 class was only introduced this year and was aimed at recognizing the power of Fullblood Wagyu genetics combined with optimal genetics of other breeds. This year’s class 4 champion was awarded to Tajima by Andrews Meat Industries. This exceptional Open F1 class winner had a staggering MIJ Digital Marbling of 57%, along with class leading Eye Muscle Area of 98cm2. The judges comments said it all – Pure bliss. Superb clean fresh juiciness and silky texture. Rich, buttery and umami flavour with lasting juiciness and depth.

Gold Medallists

  • Tajima by Andrew Meat Industries
  • Diamantina Wagyu by Stanbroke
  • ICON XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods
  • Carrara 640 by Kilcoy Global Foods
  • Omino by Harmony Agriculture & Food Company
  • First Growth by Pardoo Wagyu

 Silver Medallists

  • WX by Rangers Valley
  • YUGO XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

Bronze Medallists

  • Eight Blossom Beef by Starzen Australia
  • The Phoenix by Mort & Co
  • Jacks Creek Wagyu X by Jack’s Creek

Class 5 Commercial Wagyu MS5-7
Sponsored by ComCater

A true representation of commercial Wagyu production, limited to entries with a marble score between 5 and 7. Class five is a staple for all Crossbred Wagyu brands, representing value and premium quality within Crossbred wagyu production. This year’s Class 5 Champion was awarded to Diamantina Wagyu by Stanbroke Beef. This entry was bred by Stanbroke with high unsaturated fat content of 53%. The judges felt that this entry was outstanding within its class, providing a wonderful eating experience in the Commercial Wagyu Steak category.

Gold Medallists

  • Diamantina Wagyu by Stanbroke Beef
  • Black Opal by Harmony Agriculture & Food Company

Silver Medallists

  • Omino by Harmony Agriculture & Food Company
  • DMC Black by Direct Meat Company
  • Jack’s Creek Wagyu X by Jack’s Creek
  • ICON Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

Bronze Medallists

  • Imperial Blossom Beef by Starzen Australia
  • YUGO XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods
  • WX by Rangers Valley

 

For full results, visit the WBBC Webpage HERE

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.

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