Welcome to Lake Wagyu .... part of the WWW (World Wide Wagyu)

2007

DECEMBER NEWS

Despite Drought and high prices, floods and fires, we are

nevertheless a bit sad to say farewell to 2007 – it’s been … interesting!

However, 2008 looks like being a great year.  Ever hopeful of the

drought FINALLY leaving us and a bit of rain coming down,

we wish all our clients, customers, partners and friends

a fabulous Christmas and a wet New Year!

There was a nice mention by Brett Tindal about Wagyu in a recent edition of “Land”.

The item reads:

 “An article caught my eye this week in regards to Japanese spending on beef and how big the Wagyu phenomenon was in Japan. It was reported two major events have just taken place in Tottori and Tokyo, which lifted the spirits of the recently subdued beef market in Japan. 

The first was the national Wagyu show held in Tottori, which attracted 494 head of cattle across Japan and was attended by more  than 270,000 visitors, including delegations from Australia.  might be mistaken, but I don’t remember having a crowd like that at any single breed cattle event in Australia or many other countries for that matter.

While in Tokyo, the National Beef Carcase Auction was held  by  the Tokyo Meat Market, attracting 429 head of Wagyu cattle from across Japan. The highest bid price for the top Wagyu carcase was 13,009 yen a kilogram, or $125 per kilogram.

The interesting fact was this was a slight decrease on last year’s record of  13,258 yen a kilogram.  However, this price was still more than five times the average price of Wagyu A5 grade carcases.

That confirmed it for me; with buyers paying $125/kg, there is definitely money out there in beef, and maybe the Wagyu wave is still as strong as ever.”

NOVEMBER NEWS 

HOME AGAIN!

We had the BEST time last month at the Australian Wagyu Society Conference in Brisbane.  We met up with old friends and made new friends from around the world – Japan, the US (we were chuffed to find we had heaps in common with a certain Texas cattleman –we both had similar tales of woe to tell about errant bulls!) and all points of the Australian compass. 

The trip North was somewhat sobering – we drove up via Lightning Ridge.  It’s a bit confronting to see so many miles (and miles and miles) of crops, barely ankle deep when they should be fence-high.  The grain/hay situation will no doubt have a big impact for the next year on all sorts of agricultural issues.  However, once at the conference we found the Wagyu growers cautiously optimistic about the future – there are challenges ahead no doubt, but the consensus was that we are up for it, and the long term future for Australian Wagyu is as rosy as ever!

We spent more time following the Conference on the Gold Coast with the grandchildren, visiting Sea World, Movie World and so on – we didn’t venture to Wet n Wild with them.  That’s what parents are for – we grandparents were still breathless from the Scoobie Doo ride! 

But we’re home at last and it’s obvious that, despite the drought, areas such as the Western District and Gippsland are actually having a reasonable season. 

We are still flushing for the domestic market and in the first week of November, our donors will be moved to a quarantine embryo collection centre to commence the process of producing export embryos for both the EU market and other countries around the world. 

AUSTRALIAN WAGYU SOCIETY CONFERENCE - Brisbane, here we come!

We are off to Queensland at the end of the month to the annual Australian Wagyu Society Conference.  We have been attending this event for about ten years and it has taken us to places as far-flung as Mudgee, Armidale, Sydney and even Melbourne.  This year the event is taking place at Rydges in Southbank, Brisbane and we are really looking forward to seeing all the other Wagyu breeders, as well as the many interested parties who gather each year to talk about all things Wagyu.  This year we are taking the rest of the family - including four grandchildren - and expect to have the time of our lives!  We especially enjoy the grand dinner.

If you’re interested in getting into Wagyu, the conference is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.  This is the best place to learn about Wagyu and meet face to face with members of the Wagyu community – they are the ones you will be dealing with, so it pays to get to know your future business associates.  Everyone will be wearing nametags, so come and say “Hi” – we’ll be the ones surrounded by grandkids!

The conference is being advertised widely in the rural press.  If you are interested in attending, contact the AWA on 02 6773 3138 or email office@wagyu.org.au for a Registration form.  Conference details including Registration form can be downloaded from the AWA website www.wagyu.org.au.

See you there!

REAPING THE REWARDS

Ken spent a few days travelling in NSW last month when he attended the Wattletop Angus Sale at Gyra, near the NSW/Queensland border, where  Wal and Jenny Perry from Trentbridge had their Wagyu bulls listed for sale in the 17-strong Wagyu section.  Two years ago, Wal and Jenny bought six Wagyu embryos from us and obtained the marvellous result of six live calves from those six embryos.  Ken could not resist going to see these prize progeny on the blocks and was delighted that Wal and Jenny topped the Wagyu section of the sale when one of “our” bulls sold for $9,000.  Between them, the four of our Wagyu bulls fetched almost $ 28,000 – and there’s still two more heifers at home ready to breed.  THAT’S what it’s all about!

Congratulations, Wal and Jenny – Six out of six must be some sort of record, and to top the bull sale as well is a real feather in your cap.  Well done! 

EXPORT TO THE EU & SOUTH AMERICA

We are currently exploring avenues for exporting Wagyu embryos to South America and even to the European Common Market.  Our donors are moving into a new quarantine facility to allow exportation to this very strict market.  The rules are many, and varied, and stringent, but we are excited that we will be able to meet the very exacting standards and copious paperwork to make “World Wide Wagyu” a reality. 

As we keep telling ourselves, if it was easy, everybody would do it. 

FLUSH BROTHERS!

Our bulls are looking fabulous and ready for work – even our younger bulls are looking keen to go.  We have several lines of four or five flush brothers with impeccable genetics available. Now is a good time to reserve a bull – we are happy to keep growing them out until you are ready to take delivery.  Once spring is near, they go like hot cakes.  Don’t miss out.