WagyuEdge 2019 annual conference wrap-up | Australian Wagyu Association

The dust has settled since the Australian Wagyu Association’s 2019 WagyuEdge: Building Integrity Conference and Tour and what a wonderful event it was!

Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, 8-12 May, delegates took full advantage of our Speaker presentations, networking opportunities, social events, Charity Auction, Branded Beef Competition and broke some records in the Elite Wagyu National Sale.

In all, the aim of the conference was to build a conversation around Wagyu production and the supply chain, and with insights from the feedlot industry, live export policy, the global and Japanese market, delegates were given much to think about.

The Wagyu Feed Calculator App was launched and is now available:
Apple App Store Google Play

The purpose of the App is to assist the production of Wagyu Feeders on grass backgrounds to achieve consistent pre-feedlot growth rates – targeting 0.8kg per day, every day up to feedlot entry to maximise marbling.

The makeup and use of the new Wagyu BreedObject $Indexes were addressed to assist producers in using these tools to select more profitable animals for the whole supply chain.

In addition, the Conference highlighted the 30 years of Australian Wagyu, saluting our early pioneers, but also learning how some of our industry have forged their own business path including AACo, Arubial Wagyu, Jac Wagyu and Heartbrand USA to build successful brands.

Hats off to Mayura Station for a successful year – category winner in the delicious awards, Grand Champion of the Wagyu Branded Beef Competition and the highest bid in the Elite Wagyu National Sale.

Our Tour made its way to the Limestone Coast of South Australia to visit Scott and the team at Mayura Station, to learn how the recording of data is only the first step in evaluating genetic progress. The next step is to use that data to make selection decisions and to benchmark your herd within Wagyu BREEDPLAN so that the true genetic merit of animals in the herd can be determined.

Day 2 of the Tour continued onward to Victoria to visit another pioneering family in Nick and Vicki Sher at Sher Wagyu. Delegates were treated to a real farm welcome, with presentations and lunch served in the re-vamped shearing shed. Nick and Vicki spoke at length about the need to keep accurate data to inform their breeding program and to develop strong relationships with valued customers whilst also developing new markets.

“The initial feedback from delegates and sponsors is that this year’s conference has been a success – not just for the Speakers presented, but for the opportunity to spend meaningful time with colleagues in the industry,” said AWA CEO Matt McDonagh.

“I would like to thank once again all who were involved in making this event happen, our sponsors, speakers, delegates and of course the Adelaide Convention Centre for being such a wonderful host. Plans are already underway to define the 2020 Conference and we hope to keep building on the Wagyu conversation.”

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.