Meet the Speakers

Prof Peer Ederer

Professor Peer Ederer

Founder and director, GOALSciences

Prof. Peer Ederer is the founder and director of GOALSciences, which is the Global Observatory of Accurate Livestock Sciences.

The organisation aims to investigate and disseminate scientific findings regarding the role of animals within the global food system.

He earned an MBA from Harvard University and holds a PhD in financial economics, in addition to serving as an adjunct professor for innovation studies. Professor Ederer has significant experience providing strategic advice to both private sector companies and public organisations involved in the global food system and frequently speaks on related subjects.

He has collaborated on scientific research with leading universities worldwide and is a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers Organisation.

Speakers

Kaci Carrales

Executive Director, American Akaushi Association

Kaci, originally from Tilden, Texas, grew up assisting her family with a successful hunting business. Her love for agriculture and the beef industry comes from her grandparents and their small herd of cattle. As valedictorian, she was active in FFA and enjoyed showing livestock. Kaci studied at Blinn College and earned her degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, where she was part of the 2006 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.

At HeartBrand Cattle, Kaci gained extensive knowledge about Akaushi, focusing on genetics, breeding traits, and carcase quality. As the executive director of the American Akaushi Association, she leverages her expertise in DNA collection and cattle registration within the DigitalBeef program.

Kaci is excited to work towards maximising the breed’s potential, emphasising collaboration among members. She believes the association’s strength relies on its members and encourages participation in trade shows and field days to promote success.

Kaci is married to JoJo, the vice president of cattle at HeartBrand Cattle, and they have two children, Adalyn and Joseph.

Speakers

Matt Dalgleish

Director, Episode3.net

Matt is a director of Episode 3 and co-creator of the Agwatchers podcast. A graduate of Economics and Education Matt has had a keen interest in markets of all sorts from an early age. Matt has spent decades being involved in commodity and financial markets, including time spent trading equities, metals and foreign exchange. 

Making the transition into agricultural market analysis in 2015 was an exciting opportunity, enabling Matt to use his data analysis and forecasting skills to provide commentary and strategic advice to the food manufacturing sector and the agricultural industry.  

Matt has been an owner of a commercial pig farm near Bendigo and continues to operate a hobby farm on the outskirts of Ballarat. Matt has become a prominent agricultural market analyst, often quoted in the agricultural press and sought after for his independent, data driven assessment of commodity markets.

Jared Greenville

Dr Jared Greenville

Executive Director, ABARES, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Dr Jared Greenville was appointed Executive Director of ABARES in 2020. In this role he leads a comprehensive program of economic analysis and scientific research across Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The Bureau’s work underpins the development of Australian Government policy as well as decision-making from the farm gate to national industries and international markets.

Prior to joining ABARES, Jared held a senior role at the OECD focusing on agri-food trade policy, global value-chains in agriculture, and food security and risk (Southeast Asia) along with monitoring and evaluating.

He has worked for the Productivity Commission, providing high level advice to the Australian Government on bilateral and regional trade agreements, domestic drought support policy, infrastructure policy and the challenges posed by an ageing population.
Jared holds a PhD in agricultural and natural resource economics from the University of Sydney.

Erin Borror​

Erin Borror

Vice President, Economic Analysis, US Meat Export Federation

Erin became part of USMEF in July 2006 after earning her M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. She also holds a B.S. in Agribusiness from California Polytechnic State University. As the Vice President of Economic Analysis at USMEF, Erin is pivotal in managing red meat export forecasts, analysing trade policy, conducting global market assessments for U.S. exporters, and evaluating U.S. market conditions for international clients.

Starting in February 2023, Erin took on the additional responsibility of overseeing USMEF’s Exporter Services department. Furthermore, in December 2023, she joined the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products.

Since 2014, Erin has chaired the Economics Committee for the International Meat Secretariat.

Growing up on a cow-calf operation in Colorado, she has a solid foundation in production agriculture and a deep-seated passion for the red meat industry. Now working remotely for USMEF, Erin, her husband Bryce Borror, and their sons Clayton and Nolan raise purebred and commercial cattle at Tehama Angus Ranch in northern California.

Dr Jimmy L Horner

Dr Jimmy L Horner

President, CEO and Founder, Protocol Technologies (Ph.D., P.A.S, Diplomate ACAN)

Dr Horner has served as President/CEO/Founder of Protocol Technologies, Inc. since its inception in 1994. Dr Horner also serves as President/CEO/Founder of Protocol Naturals, Inc., Horner Industries, Inc., Protocol Farms, Inc. and Horner Legacy Wagyu, LLC. These corporations provide all-natural animal nutrition and biotechnology-based solutions for beef and dairy producers worldwide. 

With nearly 40 years of experience, Dr Horner also serves as a nutrition consultant to over 300 beef and dairy operations throughout US, Japan and numerous other countries. He is recognised as an international authority on all-natural feeding programs, use of natural vasodilators and the feeding/care of Wagyu cattle. 

He has authored over 150 scientific and industry manuscripts and has served as a speaker at seminars/conferences in 8 countries. Horner is certified as a Professional Animal Scientist and is a Charter Member and Diplomate of the American College of Animal Nutrition.

Dr Matt George​

Dr Matt George​

Owner, Bovine Dynamics

Matt grew up on an Angus property in regional NSW, attained a Veterinary Science degree from the University of Sydney, and subsequently attended Colorado State University receiving a Masters degree in Intensive Ruminant Nutritional Immunology and, a Doctorate in Meat Science. Matt has held positions as the Inaugural Research Manager for the MLA Meat Standards Australia program, GM Nutrition Service Associates and CEO of the XF-Australia group.

In 2010, Matt formed a new intensive ruminant Veterinary and Nutrition consulting company — ‘Bovine Dynamics’ which is presently responsible for feedlot nutrition and animal performance consultancy to 850,000 head feedlot one-time capacity and employs five US trained PhD ruminant nutritionists, plus two feedlot cattle specialist veterinarians.  Most recently Matt and Melissa diversified into a cattle business based in SE Qld and the New England of NSW; ‘Eskdale Cattle’ calving 3,000 breeding cows, in two programs: a European terminal cross and Purebred Wagyu.

Alex Hammond​

Alex Hammond

CEO, Robbins Island Wagyu and Director, Poll Wagyu

Alex returned to the family business in 2015. Initially working as a cattle hand, Alex developed a thorough understanding of the production process from breeding, calving, scours management, backgrounding and carcase assessment. Additionally, he worked with the family through refurbishing land, drainage, soil health and maximising pasture growth and utilisation. 

Alex’s passion is cattle and the genetics, as well as consistently improving the operation. He moved into Managing the Robbins Island operation in 2019. 

Alex also serves as a Director for Poll Wagyu, which is driving the genetic gain of the Robbins Island herd. This collaboration between Robbins Island, Strathdale Wagyu and Mayura Station has revolutionised the industry, combining the best Wagyu performance genetics and data with the Poll advantage. This joint venture is a real passion for Alex and drives a lot of Robbins Island Wagyu’s future direction.

Fred Hughes​

Fred Hughes

Director and Station Manager, Hughes Pastoral Group

Fred is a Director and Station Manager for Hughes Pastoral Group. Along with his wife Sarah and their five young children, Fred oversees cattle operations across multiple regions, including Central Western and Gulf Districts in Queensland, and the Barkly and Victoria River Districts of the Northern Territory.

Hughes Pastoral Group run approximately 230,000 head of cattle, which includes 140,000 head of Purebred Wagyu, across properties spanning over 9 million acres in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.

Fred has a keen interest in capital development within extensive grazing systems, livestock nutrition, and using genomics as a tool for improving carcass performance.

Educated at Bond University, Fred graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Finance and Economics. His commitment to the sector extends beyond his own operations; he has served on significant industry bodies including the North Australian Beef Research Committee, AgForce and the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association.

Sam Harburg​

Sam Harburg

Consulting Partner, AbacusBio

Sam is a partner at AbacusBio, a leading international agricultural science and technology consulting company.

The company supports a range of clients spanning industry good organisations, private breeding companies, major breed associations and private breeders.  Sam supports AbacusBio’s clients with commercialisation strategies, market assessments, impact assessments, investment/feasibility analysis and practical breeding and genetics support.

Sam has extensive experience in the Australian beef industry, previously working as a general manager for one of Australia’s largest beef producers. This role also included the management of one of the largest stud breeding operations in Australia, providing both technical and practical understanding of the application of genetic improvement and genetic evaluation within livestock enterprises. Sam holds a B. Agricultural Science and an MBA.

Simon Quilty

Simon Quilty

Global meat trader and analyst, Global AgriTrends

Simon Quility is a global meat trader working in the global protein space spans nearly three decades of traveling the global protein world in capacities as a trader. Simon’s experience includes positions with Louis Dreyfus, ConAgra, DR Johnston and FC Stone.

Today, he is an independent meat and livestock analyst and also brokers swaps on behalf of large financial institutions in Australia and brokers physical meat products around the world working exclusively for a large  international companies with interests across the global protein spectrum.

Aaron Harris

Aaron Harris

Data and Operations Lead, Legendary Akaushi Genetics

Aaron Harris is the Data and Operations Lead at Legendary Akaushi Genetics, where he focuses on advancing the use of data to enhance cattle performance and streamline data collection processes. His passion for agriculture began early, using genetic information to improve his Holstein cattle, which he showed at local and state competitions in Pennsylvania. 

After college, Aaron pursued a career in data science, leading data science teams for two Fortune 500 energy companies. His love for cattle brought him back to agriculture in 2021, when he started his own ranch, Mistvale Akaushi. Today, Aaron brings his unique expertise in data science and agriculture to drive innovation at Legendary Akaushi Genetics. He also serves on the advisory committee for the American Akaushi Association.

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.