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Beyond the Marbling Podcast

New Episodes Released Fortnightly.

NEW EPISODES FORTNIGHTLY, ON THURSDAYS

Join Australian agricultural identity Lyndsey Douglas in exploration of the Wagyu sector in Australia and around the world. There will be characters, there will be wisdom and there will be Wagyu, delicious Wagyu.

Beyond the Marbling is produced by the Australian Wagyu Association and aims to build awareness of the Wagyu industry, its supply chains, its history and its future.

In each episode, Lyndsey will engage with the sector’s most prominent experts, breeders, economists and scientists to go beyond the marbling and explain what makes Wagyu the world’s luxury beef.

Listen to each episode, wherever you get your podcasts.

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Latest Episodes

Ep 20. Blackmore Wagyu: A Family, A Breed, A Global Standard
with Ben Blackmore

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas travels to Victoria’s High Country to meet Ben Blackmore, CEO of Blackmore Wagyu. The Blackmore family imported over 80% of Australia’s foundational Wagyu genetics, laying the foundation for today’s world-class fullblood Wagyu. Ben shares the legacy of his father, David Blackmore, Wagyu Hall of Fame inductee and Order of Australia recipient, and reveals how their unique feeding system, DNA traceability, and brand integrity have made Blackmore Wagyu a favourite of top chefs, from the Oscars to The French Laundry.


Ep 19. Wagyu in a Land of Droughts and Flooding Rains
with Dr Fred Hughes

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, we journey to the heart of Australia’s Channel Country to explore how the Hughes family built a world-class Wagyu operation in one of Australia’s most extreme environments. From navigating droughts and floods to building global supply chains, discover how the Hughes family’s vision, resilience, and strategic partnerships turned isolation into international opportunity.


Ep 18. How Frozen Embryos are Reshaping Wagyu Breeding
with Jeremy Cooper, Laird Morgan & Dr Bruno Sanchez

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas delves into the cutting edge of reproductive technology shaping the Wagyu industry. She’s joined by Brazilian IVF specialist Dr Bruno Sanchez of Vytelle, Queensland producer Laird Morgan of Arubial Wagyu and Lillyvale Feedlot, and NSW seedstock breeder Jeremy Cooper of Circle 8 Fullblood Wagyu. Together, they unpack the evolving role of frozen embryos, how IVF is helping producers rapidly scale their herds, and the three critical pillars of a successful embryo transfer program. Whether you’re refining a genetics strategy or just IVF-curious, this episode offers insights for every Wagyu producer.


Ep 17. Meat with a Meaning
with Harry Kemp

You asked for it—and now it’s here. In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, we head to North Queensland to spotlight a Wagyu production system making serious waves. Host Lyndsey Douglas sits down with Harry Kemp of King River Wagyu, one of the nation’s youngest vertically integrated supply chains and a 2024 QLD Premier’s Export Awards recipient. From natural mating across expansive northern paddocks to full-animal utilisation and innovative feedlot strategies, Harry shares how King River is redefining sustainability, genetics, and value in Wagyu production. This is Meat with a Meaning.


Ep 16. Market Dynamics in Wagyu
with Simon Quilty & Matt Dalgleish

Just days before Trump’s latest tariff announcement, Beyond the Marbling sits down with leading agricultural analysts Matt Dalgleish and Simon Quilty to unpack what shifting global dynamics could mean for Wagyu. With WagyuEdge25 on the horizon, this timely conversation dives deep into market dynamics, trade tensions, pricing trends, and the outcomes of recent climatic events. Ground beef is booming, premium cuts are under pressure, and global uncertainty is heating up. Don’t miss this sharp, data-driven episode hosted by Lyndsey Douglas, a teaser to the Market Dynamics session on Thursday 10th April at WagyuEdge25′.

Beyond the Marbling: Season 1

Catch up on all episodes from Season 1 of Beyond the Marbling.

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Beyond the Marbling podcast will create unique opportunities for AWA members and partners to reach a broader and unique audience across the globe.

If you are interested in advertising your business or event on the podcast, please contact the AWA Communications team below.

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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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