Wagyu genetics and genomics field day in November

wagyu-cowsA two day Wagyu Genetics and Genomics Field Day and Workshop next month at Toowoomba and nearby Jondaryan on Queensland’s Darling Downs will unravel many of the questions existing and potential Wagyu producers have about how to benefit from the exceptional world-wide demand for Australian Wagyu beef.

The field day component will be at Kerwee Lot Feeders at Jondaryan on Monday 14 November where 180 Wagyu sired steers are being fed through GrowSafe equipment that measures and monitors feed intake and weight gain.

It is the first time in Australia this type of assessment has occurred under commercial feedlot conditions. This sire progeny test discovers the sires with superior net feed intake and carcase performance.

According to the Australian Wagyu Association’s technical services manager Carel Teseling, the efficiency of converting feed to weight is an important financial aspect of beef cattle production regardless of whether cattle are in a feedlot or pasture fed.

“We have found there are considerable differences between genetic lines and it is important for established and new Wagyu breeders to fully understand the implications of genetic selection,” he said.

The field day then becomes a workshop at the nearby Jondaryan Woolshed where Kerwee Feedlot manager Steve Martin and Mr Teseling will discuss the importance of net feed intake and answer questions.

This will be followed by sessions on how to efficiently record Wagyu cattle through the latest software programs, the importance of BREEDPLAN in herd improvement and how to identify carcase quality and fertility, areas critical to successful beef cattle operations.

These session will be followed by the Australian Wagyu Association’s (AWA) annual general meeting and a Wagyu dinner at Jondaryan Woolshed.

“We encourage existing, new and potential Wagyu industry participants to attend all these sessions and the dinner to gain as much knowledge as possible to assist in establishing and maintaining successful Wagyu operations,” said Graham Truscott the AWA’s CEO.