Newcomer wins Grand Champ

in 2020 Wagyu Branded Beef

The results for the 2020 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition have now been announced and watched by viewers from within the Wagyu industry, hospitality and retail via an online live streamed award ceremony.

Broadcast on 15 May, 2020 the award ceremony announced the Gold, Champion and Grand Champion awards with presentations by our valued sponsors and comments from brand owners on their journey to bring award-winning Wagyu to fruition.

As a first-time entrant, the Association is pleased to announce that the Grand Champion for 2020, was Stone Axe Pastoral with their Stone Axe brand.

In response, Scott Richardson, managing director of Stone Axe Pastoral, said that it was a truly amazing day for Stone Axe Pastoral, and that they were humbled and excited to be awarded the Grand Champion for 2020.

“It is great recognition of the blood, sweat and tears that we have put in the last couple of years and I would like to thank our team and investors for all their contributions,” said Scott.

The awards celebrate three classes of Wagyu – Fullblood Japanese Black, Crossbred Open Wagyu and Commercial Wagyu. Entries were received from across the country, with 31 in all, the highest number yet received in the competition’s eight-year history.

Medals are awarded for Gold, Silver and Bronze based on scoring for tenderness, juiciness, flavour, overall liking and visual. The highest score for each class is awarded the title of Class Champion. The highest score across all three categories is awarded Grand Champion.

The Gold and Class Champions are:

Fullblood Japanese Black Gold Medallists

  • Mayura Station – Mayura Signature Series
  • Mort & Co – Master Selection
  • Stockyard Beef – Kiwami
  • Rangers Valley – Infinite
  • Stone Axe Pastoral – Stone Axe

Champion: Stone Axe Pastoral

Open Crossbred Wagyu Gold Medallists

  • Jac Wagyu – Lewis Olive Wagyu
  • Mort & Co – Master Selection
  • Stockyard Beef – Stockyard Black
  • Pardoo Beef Corporation – Okan Wagyu
  • Jack’s Creek – Jack’s Creek Wagyu X
  • Poll Wagyu – Poll Wagyu

Champion: Jack’s Creek

Commercial Wagyu Gold Medallists

  • Stockyard Beef – Stockyard Silver
  • Mort & Co – Master Selection
  • Pardoo Beef Corporation – Okan Wagyu

Champion: Pardoo Beef Corporation.

A full list of winners including Silver and Bronze medallists is available for download 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.
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  • Pedigree and DNA data submitted and supplied to AWA may have errors in it which cannot be detected without further DNA testing.
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  • 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.
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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.