New board members elected at 2023 Wagyu AGM

The Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 6th, held at Allee Bleue Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was a successful gathering of members. The meeting addressed both the challenges faced and the achievements made during the last year. The AGM provided an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges and achievements of the Society in its mission to promote and enhance the Wagyu industry in South Africa.

Challenges:

Facilitating Access to Export Markets: The Society faced challenges in ensuring access to export markets for Wagyu products.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD): Addressing FMD was another important challenge, as it can impact the movement and trade of livestock.

High Input Costs: The rising input costs in the Wagyu industry posed economic challenges.

Achievements:

Revised Strategic Focus: The Society successfully revised its strategic focus, likely to address the challenges it faced.

Revised Per Capita Levies: Changes in per capita levies were made to support the Society’s initiatives.

Defining CWB Protocol: The Society defined the CWB (Certified Wagyu Beef) protocol, ensuring a clear and structured process.

Genetic Evaluation: The establishment of a well-structured genetic evaluation system was an achievement.

Dedicated Members: Despite challenges, dedicated members continued to produce animals.

Participation in the Hong Kong Food Expo: The Society successfully attended the Hong Kong Food Expo, expanding its presence in international markets.

Increase in Breeding Females: The number of breeding females increased from 5949 to 6312.

Sustained Carcass Growth: Slaughter data indicated sustained weekly growth in carcass numbers.

Recognition in Genomic Technologies: Wagyu SA gained recognition as a leader in genomic technologies within the LRF (Livestock Research Foundation) members.

World-Class CWB Protocol: The CWB protocol, with its traceability measures, is regarded as a leading program in South Africa.

During the year, two Board members, Ms. Karen Hoffman (Product Support) and Mr. Francois Loots (CWB), resigned from their positions. The Society expressed its gratitude for their service. Mr. Henning Klopper was nominated and elected to the board, while Dr. John Grewar was coopted onto the board, filling the vacancies. Congratulations and best wishes to Henning and John in their new roles.

Bob Hobson – President

                Johan Strydom – Vice-President, Corporate Governance and Finance

                Fritz Bezuidenhout – Certified Wagyu Beef  

                Waldo Scheepers – Breed Improvement and Genomics

                Dr Baldwin Nengovhela – Social Development

                Henning Klopper – Product Support

                Dr John Grewar – Export Facilitation

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

WAGYU WEANERS WANTED

If you want to sell Wagyu Cross weaners WhatsApp message Jacques Pieters at +27 71 365 9910 your email address. He will respond with the relevant information via email and make contact as soon as the information is processed.

Commencement of CPG Audits 2023

CPG will commence with the annual audits for 2023 starting in March. Last year the audits were carried out online due to FMD. However, this year audits will be carried out on-site. Please take note of the following:

  • All CWB members are to be audited annually.
  • Action taken to correct findings from previous audits must be shown. Send an email to tumisang@5.tipsy.co.za if you have not received your previous audit report.
  • An audit can only be postponed once.
  • To decrease the travel cost of the auditor, audits are scheduled on route. If an audit was postponed the member will be solely responsible for the travel cost of the auditor.
  • The office will send out the scheduled audit dates via email.
  • The CPG auditor will contact the member to confirm the time of the audit by latest a week before the audit is to take place.

Members who do not show up for their scheduled audit automatically fail the audit. A subsequent audit will be scheduled, and both the failed and subsequent audits will be billed to the member. To prevent a failed audit due to lack of attendance, contact the CWB office as soon as possible:

  • Check when your audit is scheduled and set a reminder for yourself.
  • Notify CWB immediately if your contact details or the contact person have changed.
  • Notify CWB in writing if you are unable to attend the audit for any reason. The notice must be given at least 2 weeks before the audit is scheduled to take place. Note that the audit can only be moved once.
  • Notify CWB if the auditor has not contacted you at least one week in advance telephonically or via email to confirm the date and time of the scheduled audit.
  • Familiarize yourself with the criteria of CWB that apply to your business. The CWB audit booklet can be downloaded at https://5.tipsy.co.za/manuals-breedplan/
  • If you are unsure about any of the requirements you can contact CWB directly or schedule a farm visit before the audit. To schedule a farm audit please send an email to tumisang@5.tipsy.co.za.
  • Notify CWB immediately on the day of the audit if the auditor has not contacted you and failed to carry out the audit, to avoid being billed for a failed audit due to lack of attendance.

Compliance with the CWB protocol, as well as the successful completion of the audit, remains the responsibility of all CWB members. The office is available to assist with any enquiries. As well as making farm visits before the start of the audit. Contact Tumi in the office by email at tumisang@5.tipsy.co.za or by phone at +27514921852. The auditors (CPG) can also be contacted by email at elizra@ltlgroup.global or auditor16@ltlgroup.global and by phone at +27 10 010 0685 or +27 76 145 9149.

Per Capita & CWB renewal

The office has sent out the per capita’s and CWB renewal forms to each member. Please ensure that your animal lists for both your stud register (herdbook) and slaughter register (CWB animals) are updated and current. Inform the office of any required changes before the 30th of June for animal cancellations and membership resignations. If you have not received an email, please contact the office urgently at office@5.tipsy.co.za or +27 51 492 1852.

The Wagyu Office relocated

The Wagyu office has recently moved offices as from 1st of April 2022, the new office address is as follows:

5 Reitz Park

78 President Reitz Street

Westdene, Bloemfontein

We urge all our members to use the new address when they courier their DNA samples. We value our members support and Wagyu will continue to offer great services to our members. Come visit us at our new offices.

WSA & CWB AGM/AJV – 30th September

Notice of the WSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on the 30th September was given in a notice to members on the 2nd of August 2021. This notice is again to inform you that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) this year will be held at 16h00 via ZOOM on the 30th September 2021 followed by the CWB AGM.

Kennisgewing van die Algemene Jaar Vergadering (AJV) wat hierdie jaar op 30 September 2021 gehou word, is op 2 Augustus 2021 in ‘n kennisgewing aan lede gegee. Hierdie kennisgewing is om u weereens in kennis te stel dat die Algemene Jaarvergadering (AJV) hierdie jaar om 16h00 via ZOOM op die 30 September 2021 sal plaasvind.