The Australian Wagyu Association Annual General Meeting was held 25 November 2019 and heralds in the release of the AWA Strategic Plan 2020-2025 which sets the guidelines for business operations for the Board and staff to support, promote and advance the production of Wagyu.
To lead us through the initial phasing-in of the Strategic Plan in 2020, the AWA is delighted to announce our 13th President, Mike Buchanan, effective as of the 26th of November 2019.
The Office Bearers of the AWA Board for the 2019-20 period are:
President Mike Buchanan
Senior Vice President John Spreadborough
Junior Vice President Sharon Oates
Treasurer Charles Perry
Newly appointed Board Directors are Dean Pollard and Gina Lincoln and re-elected Board Director John Spreadborough.
Mike Buchanan and his wife Maggie own Ginjo Wagyu, a fullblood seedstock and feeder operation which commenced in 1998, on properties in the Tea Gardens and Gloucester areas of the NSW Mid North Coast. Joining up to 200 FB cows in good years the aim is to replicate leading Japanese sires and target early growth, carcase weight, marbling and maternal traits. Ginjo genetics and live exports have achieved global success since 2008. Mike has been on the AWA Board since 2014.
“In 2020 my AWA focus will be on the continuing improvement of our suite of EBVs, Indexes and other selection tools. Plus a new strategic emphasis on measuring and maintaining genetic diversity in the Australian Japanese Black herd”, Mike said.
Gina Lincoln is a well-respected consultant to the beef industry. Gina has extensive experience in feedlot management and Fullblood herds, having spent 12 years as general manager of Peechelba Beef Feedlot and seven years with Blackmore Wagyu overseeing the breeding, feeding and operations of the company.
Gina has extensive Board experience having served with the Australian Lotfeeders Association, Pfizer Animal Health Board and is the current Southern Campdraft President. Her hands-on experience with Wagyu will be a welcome addition to the AWA Board.
Dean Pollard is synonymous with Sahara Park Wagyu, breeding Fullblood genetics for the past five years and a member of the AWA since 2012. A keen advocate for BREEDPLAN, Dean is keen to improve the overall Wagyu genetics for the Australian industry.
Based in central Queensland as a mining and agricultural company director, Dean will bring business acumen and youthful energy, passion and commitment to the Wagyu industry as a Director on the AWA Board.
Returning Board Directors:
Peter Cabassi
Sharon Oates
Lorna Tomkinson
Chantal Winter
The Board and Association would like to extend our appreciation for the tireless work of outgoing Board Directors, Peter Krause and Peter Gilmour.
Peter Krause of Sunnyside Wagyu, was elected to the Board in October 2014 and was Chair of the Genetic Improvement Committee from 2015 -2019 overseeing the implementation of Single-Step Wagyu BREEDPLAN and BreedObject $Indexes. These two initiatives have resulted in 60,000 animals now being genotyped with 50K genomics and delivered improvements in EBV accuracy and genetic gain for members.
Peter Gilmour of Irongate Wagyu, served as President for the Board between 2015-2018 and was elected to the Board in 2005. Under Peter’s tenure and guidance as President, the Association adopted Single-Step BREEDPLAN, the transition to SNP DNA testing and the commercial introduction of the MIJ objective carcase cameras. Peter drove the implementation of corporate governance standards and process improvements as the company grew significantly during that period. Peter provided a high level of commercial diplomacy and professional leadership.
The Australian Wagyu Association bids farewell to Peter Krause and Peter Gilmour and looks forward to working with Dean and Gina.