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WagyuEdge23 Conference and Tour Program

19 April - 24 April 2023 | Sydney

Program highlights

The Wagyu sector’s annual conference and tour is the largest conference on the beef industry calendar. Organised by the Australian Wagyu Association, it attracts between 400 and 600 attendees annually.

The annual WagyuEdge Conference and Tour is a mecca for the global Wagyu industry.  The AWA now has more than 300 international members. Each year, a large contingent of international Wagyu breeders and supply chain representatives attend the conference, like the Wagyu sector’s leading global event.

The conference is an opportunity to bring together all components of the Wagyu sector in a forum of learning and networking to help our industry to advance Wagyu – the World’s Luxury Beef.  The Australian Wagyu sector is the leading producer and exporter of Wagyu to international high-end markets. Delegates from Australia can attend to hear speakers with a high level of expertise covering topics in Wagyu production, genetics and marketing.

Note: The WagyuEdge23 program is subject to change.

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AWA Member Sessions

Wednesday 19th April – Hyatt Regency

10:00am         General Registrations and DNA Testing Forms
                               You’ll get a full walk through of the AWA Registration and DNA testing forms and how to use them. 
10:30am         DNA
                               A chance for you to learn all about your DNA testing options, parentage analysis and DNA results
11:00am          Post DNA
                               Received DNA results? Learn all about what happens next including troubleshooting unexpected parentage results 
11:30am         Performance Recording and BREEDPLAN
                               The next level – hear all about carcase data, contemporary groups and BREEDPLAN

12:00pm        LUNCH

Please complete the below RSVP form if you wish to attend any of these sessions. Complete 1 form per person.

Join us for the official opening of WagyuEdge23 from 1:00pm

RSVP - AWA MEMBER SESSIONS

Conference Program

DAY ONE – Wednesday 19th April

Registration desk opens 10am

12:00pm       LUNCH

CONFERENCE OPENING: Mr Charlie Perry, AWA President
1:00pm

SESSION 1: Tackling Challenges Head On
1:15pm to 2:45pm

1:15pm         Why meat is good for you and the planet
                               Diana Rodgers – Dietitian, Author, Filmmaker & Executive Director at Global Food Justine Alliance
2:00pm       Challenges facing red meat production
                               Professor Paul Wood AO FTSE – Adjunct Professor, Monash University

2:45pm        AFTERNOON TEA sponsored by Inventia Genetic Technologies (IGT)

SESSION 2: Wagyu Sector Technology Development
3:15pm to 4:35pm

3:15pm          Wagyu Feeder Check launch
                                Dr Matt McDonagh – AWA CEO
                                Toni Reverter – CSIRO
Jason Lilly – Neogen
4:15pm          New tools for genetic diversity and data accuracy
                                Katie Dailey – Genetic Projects Officers, AWA

4:35pm          END OF DAY ONE SESSIONS

WAGYU BRANDED BEEF COMPETITION TASTING & AWARDS DINNER

Time    6:00pm – 11:00pm
Venue  Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf
Dress code  Cocktail
Entertainment  Charlie Fittler 

The function includes dinner, drinks and entertainment featuring the Wagyu Branded Beef Competition.

DAY TWO – Thursday 20th April

Registration desk opens 7.30 am

SESSION 3: Wagyu and Global Market Trends
8.30am to 10.15am

8:30am         Global Trends in Agriculture and Luxury Proteins
                              Liz O’Leary – Executive Director; Head of Agriculture and Natural Assets, Macquarie Asset Management
9:15am          Harmony Agriculture Strategy and Direction
                              Anthony Fellows – CEO, Harmony Agriculture and Food Company Pty Ltd
9:45am          JBS Australia
                              Michael Finucan – General Manager Marketing & Industry Relations, JBS
10:15am         Vale Mr Shogo Takeda
                               David Blackmore

10:25am        MORNING TEA

SESSION 4: Global Innovation on Farm
11.00am to 12.45pm

11:00am        Global Success of HP Wagyu and L0010
                              Cameron Hewitt – HP Wagyu
11:45am         M6 Ranch
                              Kevin Moore – M6 Ranch
12:15pm         New Generation Japanese Farming
                              Tomotaka Ando – Cosmos Farms, Japan

12:45pm         LUNCH

SESSION 5: Future Drivers and Opportunities
2:00pm to 3:30pm

2:00pm           Current trends in Wagyu in Japan
                                 Professor Takafumi Gotoh – Ph.D., Professor, National University Cooperation, HOKKAIDO University
2:30pm           F1 Supply Chains – Information to Decision Making
                                 Charlie Hart – Barraba Beef Group & Hart Rural Agencies
3:00pm           What it takes to be the largest Wagyu Supply chain in the UK
                                 Tom Richardson – Business Manager, Warrendale Wagyu

3:30pm            AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: Challenging the Red Meat Policy Environment
4:00pm to 5:00pm

4:00pm            Impacts of Government Policy on Animal Agriculture
                                  Senator Susan McDonald
4:30pm            Q&A
                                  Senator Susan McDonald, Professor Paul Wood and Diana Rodgers

5:00pm            END OF DAY ONE SESSIONS

ELITE WAGYU SALE COCKTAIL DINNER

Time    6:00pm – 11:30pm
Venue  Starship Sydney Luxury Cruise Boat
Dress code  Cocktail

The function includes dinner, drinks and entertainment featuring the AWA Elite Wagyu Sale.

DAY THREE – Friday 21st April

Registration desk opens 8.30 am

SESSION 7: Benefits of Red Meat Production
9:30am to 11:00am

9:30am           The Food Scientist – Nutritional attributes of Red Meat
                                  Dr Anneline Padayachee – The Food Scientist
10:15am          Insights into Consumer Perception of Wagyu
                                  Dr Alex Ball – Director, Rural Analytics

11:00am         MORNING TEA sponsored by Sandalwood

SESSION 8: Future Industry Directions
11:45am to 1:05pm

11:45am           From US Army Ranger to “Ranger Cattle”
                                  Josh Eilers – Ranger Cattle, USA
12:15pm          The Next Generation
                                  Lucy Thomson – Marathon Wagyu
12:45pm           Calf Survival: Wagyu Fellowship
                                  Lachy Gilmour – Irongate Wagyu & Wagyu Fellowship Recipient

1:05pm              LUNCH

SESSION 9: Gene Editing and Emergency Disease Response
2:00pm to 3:30pm

2:00pm             Progress on Gene Editing and Government Policy
                                   Dr Carl Ramage – Managing Director, Rautaki Solutions Pty Ltd
2:45pm             Emergency Disease Response – FMD and LSD
                                  Dr Chris Parker – First Assistant Secretary, Animal Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

3:30pm             CONFERENCE CLOSE

WAGYU INDUSTRY DINNER sponsored by LAWD featuring Mayura Station and Rangers Valley

Time    5:00pm – 11.30pm
Venue  Hyatt Regency Ballroom
Dress code Black Tie

The dinner includes a three-course dinner, drinks and entertainment plus the announcement of the 2023 Wagyu Hall of Fame Inductee and the 2023 Charity Auction in support of RFDS and the Wagyu Fellowship.

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2023 Tour Program

 

THREE DAY WAGYU TOUR

After the conference, join the buses for an unforgettable regional NSW tour. We will visit three Wagyu operations during the tour: Kuro Kin Wagyu, a leading producer of Fullblood Wagyu and F1 Wagyu. Bald Ridge Wagyu, specialising in fullblood black and red Wagyu and Gooree Park Mudgee, a producer of Wagyu, thoroughbreds and wine.

Buses will depart Sydney Saturday 22 April, returning to Sydney airport by 1pm Monday 24 April. Limited seats are available on the tour bus. Book early to avoid missing out. 

The whole event promises to deliver inspirational learning, connection and celebration.

 

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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:

  • Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which Australia Wagyu Association Limited (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 sets out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal.
  • Future events cannot be predicted accurately. AWA makes no statements, representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any information contained in the registration details of this animal or their capability to achieve any purpose. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability for negligence) for all claims, expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the information set out in the registration details of this animal for any reason being inaccurate or incomplete in any way or incapable of achieving any purpose.
  • 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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