World Wagyu Conference 2023 – Update

American Wagyu Association

Annual General Membership Meeting & Conference   

September 21‐23, 2023

San Antonio, TX

 

World Wagyu Council (WWC)

WWC Conference & Tour

September 24‐29, 2023

San Antonio, TX – Fort Worth, TX

 

The American Wagyu Association is excited to be hosting the 2023 WWC Conference and Tour, September 24‐29, 2023.

The WWC Conference will start with the conclusion of the American Wagyu Associations AGM & Conference in the historic city, San Antonio, TX home of the Alamo, and complete the tour in historic Cowtown, Fort Worth, TX. For the WWC Conference and Tour, we will travel the great state of Texas visiting Wagyu and other industry facilities associated with the production of Wagyu cattle. Our  journey will also include numerous social and networking events and of course accompanied by great Texas hospitality. Specific agenda details and registration will be forthcoming.

For planning purposes, registration fees for each participant on the WWC Conference and Tour will be $2,400 USD. Registration will include transportation, meals, and housing beginning Sunday September 24, 2023, through Friday night September 29, 2023. Fees may be reduced for double occupancy  rooms. Airfare and personal expenses are not included in the cost of the trip.

You will need to arrive in San Antonio, TX on Saturday September 23, 2023, as the tour will begin Sunday morning September 24, 2023. More information on departure hotel(s) will be provided later.

After the WWC Conference and Tour you may plan to depart from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) on September 30, 2023.

If you need transportation back to San Antonio, TX, a bus will be available on Saturday September 30, 2023.

If you plan to attend the American Wagyu Association AGM & Conference, September 21‐23, 2023, prior to the WWC Conference & Tour, registration and housing will be separate from the WWC registrations and housing.

Complete registration, agenda, tour stops, and other details will be announced at a later date. For more information please contact:

Robert Williams, PhD Executive Director

American Wagyu Association

 

Email: office@wagyu.org

Phone: +1 (208) 262‐8100

Fax: +1 (208) 292‐2670

Free State Member Tour

The Free State Members tour was attended by members from across the country, as well as Namibia.

Tuesday, 14 February all tour members gathered at Riverside lodge Aliwal Noord where an old-school wagyu burger or cheese wagyu burger was enjoyed. Thereafter we visited Prime Wagyu which shared their long-term breeding strategy, different stages of production and the number of bulls in their bull camp with the tour. Two potjies were served for dinner wagyu oxtail and wagyu shin.

On Wednesday, 15 February, the tour made its way to Xhariep Wagyu which displayed its impressive Akaushi herd. An information session was held on RFID technology for record-keeping and an automatic animal drafter was demonstrated. In the afternoon the tour made its way to Bloemfontein to visit the embryo & bull station of Absolute Genetics. During the tour of the facility IVF respirations, sexing of semen and collection of semen were demonstrated to the group. The group retired at Maselspoort where a wagyu braai was held for dinner.

The last day of the tour on 16 February was held at A5 Wagyu Breeding farm. Presentations were given on the weather outlook for the next season, AFGRI animal feeds and the need to look at different data sources. The tour ended with a wagyu burger lunch.

We would like to thank everyone that attended the tour. Special thanks to the organizer of the tour Mr Samuel Pauw & Ms Charmaine Alberts and to the producers that opened their farm gates to the tour. Lastly to the sponsors of the wagyu beef that was enjoyed by all and the chefs that prepared the dishes.

 Farms/Facilities visited:

Prime Wagyu

Xhariep Wagyu

Absolute Genetics

A5 Wagyu

 

Wagyu sponsors:

Zuney Wagyu

A5 Wagyu

Absolute Genetics (Wednesday lunch snacks)

The Wagyu Seminar 2023 – The value of Feed Efficiency trails for Wagyu Cattle?

The third Wagyu Seminar 2023 is scheduled on the 21st of March 2023 @ 11h00. This time we will be looking at the value of feed efficiency trials. Presenting at this seminar is Prof Michiel Scholtz, well-known to South African producers as an expert in feed efficiency. Joining him is Dr Michael MacNeil a research geneticist that spent many years conducting research for the USDA-ARS. All members, family, and staff are invited to attend this seminar, as attendance is free. Register at office@5.tipsy.co.za.

 

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How to complete the mating list form

The mating list form can be used to record a producer’s planned mating’s during the breeding season. This includes bull in & out dates, cow synchronization, AI & ET dates, flushing, pregnancy tests and culled cows/heifers. Use this form for all your Wagyu females (from F1 to Fullblood). BREEDPLAN uses the information captured in the mating form to calculate the following EBVs:

  • Days to Calving (DTC) – Fertility trait.
  • Gestation Length (GL) – Fertility trait.

HOW TO COMPLETE THE MATING LIST DOCUMENTDownload