AWA Announced as Principal Partner of Beef Australia 2027 & 2030

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) will be a Principal Partner of Beef Australia for the 2027 and 2030 events, marking a significant milestone in the Association’s commitment to supporting the growing impact of Wagyu as the highest value component of the Australian beef industry.

The AWA supports the USD $2 Billion Australian Wagyu export industry by advancing genetic and management technologies to improve supply chain efficiency and profitability across the Wagyu sector. In securing principal Partner status. the AWA will play a leading role in supporting Beef Australia’s vision to be a world-class organisation that promotes, advances, and celebrates a sustainable and thriving beef industry.

Beef Australia 2027 will take place in Rockhampton from 2–8 May 2027, bringing together producers, scientists, chefs, students, exhibitors and stakeholders from across the global beef supply chain for a week-long showcase of innovation, collaboration, and industry excellence. Taking place, the week immediately following the WagyuEdge’27 conference April 27^th – 29^th in Adelaide, the timing aligns WagyuEdge, the Australian red meat industry’s premier annual industry event, with Beef Australia 2027, Australia’s National beef industry showcase. International Wagyu visitors will have even greater incentive to travel to Australia and experience our two premier industry events back-to-back.

AWA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Matt McDonagh, said the partnership represents a significant opportunity for the Wagyu industry.

“Beef Australia is one of the most significant events in the Australian beef industry. It provides an exceptional platform for the Wagyu Sector to engage with the Australian Beef industry, connect with industry partners, and drive understanding of the growing impact of Wagyu within Australia’s production environments.

“Securing Principal Partner status allows the AWA to play a leading role in supporting Beef Australia’s vision to be a world class organisation. We look forward to working closely together to deliver an exceptional event experience in 2027 and to continue showcasing the excellence of Australian Wagyu on the world stage.”

The AWA has been a consistent supporter of Beef Australia for the last 18 years, and in 2027 will expand its presence with a move into the partner precinct. This enhanced footprint will create a dynamic and welcoming space for cattlemen, industry stakeholders, and international meat buyers to connect with Wagyu and explore opportunities within the sector and understand drivers of Wagyu production, product quality and provenance of Australian Wagyu.

A range of highly anticipated AWA activations will return and expand in 2027, including:

The Wagyu Long Lunch, set to once again be a highlight of the Beef Australia social calendar
Popular AWA Sundowners, providing a relaxed networking environment for attendees
Expanded on-site engagement spaces designed to foster collaboration and connection

In addition, the Wagyu sector will, for the first time, be at the forefront of the official Beef Australia seminar program, with a session that will explore how Wagyu genetics are driving innovation, quality and profitability across Australia’s diverse beef production systems.

This Principal Partnership reinforces the AWA’s position as a leader in Australia’s beef industry in advancing the impact of Wagyu and its commitment to showcasing the value, innovation, and global reputation of Australian Wagyu beef.

Beef Australia CEO Simon Irwin said the organisation is honoured to introduce the Australian Wagyu Association as a Principal Partner for two consecutive Beef Australia events.

“Beef Australia is all about celebrating our great beef industry, both nationally and internationally, and Wagyu is part of that Australian beef legacy,” said Mr Irwin.

“For more than 30 years the Australian Wagyu Association has maintained a continued focus on wagyu genetic advancement, sustained by over 1,600 members from 30 different countries.

“Beef2027 will once again promote and celebrate what makes Australia’s beef industry thrive, and the Australian Wagyu Association is a key component to our nation’s successful beef industry.

“This partnership showcases the economic and social influence the Wagyu breed has on Australia’s beef community.” The AWA looks forward to working closely with Beef Australia to deliver an exceptional event experience in 2027 and to continue showcasing the excellence of Australian Wagyu on the world stage.

Join us in Rockhampton from 2–8 May 2027 for Beef Australia 2027, a celebration of all facets of the beef industry. Expanded details to come.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Terms & Conditions

It is a condition of use of this database that you accept these terms and conditions.

It is important that you appreciate when accessing the Australian Wagyu Association Limited (AWA) database (which may be hosted on an external website) that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) and Index values (together called Database Information), is based on data supplied by AWA members and/or third parties. 

Whilst sincere effort is made to ensure the Database Information is accurate and complete, to the extent permitted by law, AWA, its officers and employees, shall not be responsible for its use or interpretation, and you use the Database Information at your own risk. Please be aware of the following limitations of the Database Information.

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

WBVs are derived using genetic evaluation technology developed for the AWA, using information contained within the AWA database and parameters derived from it.
WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may change with addition of new data or with new parameters.
WBVs are genetic merit estimates only and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
WBVs can only be directly compared to other WBVs calculated in the same AWA genetic analysis.

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

Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which AWA used to register the animal were obtained from a Recognised Wagyu Registry Organisation – in other words a Wagyu breed association based outside of Australia. AWA has not independently verified the information with respect to the animal or the details recorded about the animal. You should read AWA’s by-laws which set out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal. 
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 genetic issues or inaccuracies which were previously not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology (i.e. if the animal was tested again with current 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 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.

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

As genetic testing results are provided by independent DNA testing laboratories at the request of AWA members, AWA relies solely on the accuracy of the reporting of genetic testing as completed by the laboratories. 
AWA uses GeneProb software to calculate the likelihood of pedigree animals being a carrier of genetic conditions. This likelihood is an estimate based on the available genetic testing results.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and/or implications of the data provided on this website or the WBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek expert advice.  Note there is substantial technical information and articles on the Wagyu website to assist our members.

AWA’s liability for any loss or damage, consequential or otherwise, suffered or incurred by you or your related business, arising directly or indirectly from your use of Database Information, to the extent permitted by law, is limited to AWA providing you with a refund for the fees paid for the service (if any), or AWA re-performing the service, where possible, at the election of AWA.

AWA administers this database in good faith to support AWA members and the industry. AWA does not represent or warrant that the animals recorded in this database, or animals breed from them, will achieve any particular genetic or phenotype performance.

THIS DISCLAIMER HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 03/02/2026, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ IT IN DETAIL