Sunnyside Wagyu Spotlight | Australian Wagyu Association

Sunnyside Wagyu is family owned business spanning three generations. Peter and Sandra Krause work alongside their daughter Robyn, her partner Jono, and their kids in the business. Their farm is located outside Inverell in northern New South Wales, Australia. Having been involved in the cattle industry for over 50 years, in 2000, they purchased their first fullblood Wagyu. Sunnyside runs approximately 800 cows, with one-third being Fullbloods, with a commercial market focus.

Speaking with Peter recently, he said Wagyu in the early days was a frustrating breed to be involved in for the lack of information, with prefectural information being the only real guide to performance. However, things changed as soon as slaughter information became available and then BREEDPLAN data took this to a new level.

“The introduction of genomics and single-step BREEDPLAN was a huge milestone as a Breeding guide to the improvement of the breed; we adopted genomics as soon as it was available,” said Mr Krause.

Sunnyside S0014 breed by Sunnyside Wagyu was the first lot to be sold in the 2022 Elite Wagyu Sale. The heifer drew bidding interest from all over the globe achieving an Australian record price at the fall of the hammer selling for $400,000. At the time of the sale, S0014 was a 13-month-old unjoined heifer. Her stats are impressive, with four $Indexes in the top 1% of the breed and an impressive +3 marble score EBV.

“It was an awesome thrill and honour to achieve the Australian record price for a female of any breed. The family are very proud of this. The Elite Sale has brought to the forefront some outstanding cattle that have outperformed their parents, and this is the only way the Wagyu Breed can make Genetic improvement,” said Peter.

Ten years ago, Robyn and her husband Jono became involved in the family business, and they never looked back. “Jono and I feel incredibly fortunate to have become a part of my parent’s business ten years ago. We are incredibly excited about the current position and future of the industry,” says Robyn.

Robyn believes that the Elite Wagyu Sale has become a showcase for the progression in genetic improvement in the industry. It is an excellent opportunity for breeders to offer their cattle to the domestic and international market in a sale where many leading industry producers also participate. In addition, it’s a great opportunity as a breeder to access genetics to continue improving within your herd.

Nominations for the 2023 Elite Wagyu Sale are now open – nominate a lot

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.