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PULLMAN, WASHINGTON - The fall
Annual Meeting of the American Wagyu Association was held in
Reno, Nevada, in October. During the business session, three new
directors were elected to the Board: Michael Goodell of
Wisconsin, Robert Estrin of New Mexico and Ralph Lee of Texas.
In addition, Ralph Valdez of Whidbey Island, Washington, was
elected the new President.
During the convention, a number of expert speakers addressed the
members. They included Michael Beattie, Executive Officer of the
Australian Wagyu Association; Dr. Mark Hoegh, Marketing
Director, Kobe Beef American; Dr. Holly Neibergs, Washington
State University; and Mark Thoren, CEO of JBS Five Rivers Cattle
Feeding. Australian breeding expert, Takeo Suzuki, detailed the
Japanese 16-16 method of classification: a system that plans
matings based on a complete analysis of pedigrees.
In addition, the membership heard
presentations by Larry Gran, Pfizer; Matt Cherni, CSC Livestock;
Julie Barnes, Sutton Creek Cattle; Erin Daley, US Meat Export
Federation; Steve Slagle, Nutrition Horizons; Dr. Darrell
DeGroff, Colorado Genetics; and Jeanene de Avila, American Wagyu
Association. Topics were varied and covered quite a range:
Genetic Markers and their use in EPDs; Feeding Programs;
Condition Scoring; and Herd Health Programs, to name a few.
Marty Nicholson, cowboy poet,
entertained the group during the banquet – and afterwards, many
awards were given to the gathered Wagyu breeders, including
Producer of the Year given to R.L. Freeborn in acknowledgement
of his many years of service to the Wagyu organization.
The sensational sale featured 39
exciting Wagyu lots – and the sale toppers were a pair of
Itozurudoi TF151 heifers that sold for $9,500 each to Artisan
Cattle in Ocala, Florida. Wagyu breeders and enthusiasts from
across the United States as well as Argentina, Australia,
Canada, Germany, and Japan were in attendance. The sale offering
was small in quantity, but long on quality. A large sale crowd
saw the offering sell to eight states and Canada, according to
James A. Danekas, the sale manager.
The American Wagyu Association,
headquartered in Pullman, Washington, has doubled its membership
over the last three years, as ranchers throughout the United
States and the general public have become more aware of the
distinct character of the breed.
Wagyu is a breed of cattle from
Japan and are best known in the U.S. for producing very high
quality beef, a delicacy that has gained fame for its high
degree of marbling, tenderness, rich buttery taste and high
dollar value. This combined with the traditional low birth
weight makes the Wagyu bull an ideal sire for first-calf
heifers.
Contact Information:
Charles Gaskins, Executive Secretary
American Wagyu Association
Telephone: (509) 335-6416
Email: gaskins@wsu.edu
www.wagyu.org
Robert Estrin, Board of Directors
American Wagyu Association
Telephone: 505-286-9911
Email: restrin@gmail.com |
