LONGFORD Mr Awesome has been revealed as one of the Wagyu breed's most efficient and profitable sires following a comprehensive, three year trial conducted by the Australian Wagyu Association and Kerwee Feedlot, Jondaryan.
The now deceased bull was bred by Arthur Dew, Longford Station, Bendemeer, NSW, who started breeding the specialist Japanese cattle in the early 1990s.
Genetics from Mr Awesome will be offered at the 2021 Elite Wagyu Sale, hosted by GDL/Ruralco and Elite Livestock Auctions, which kicks off at 4pm this afternoon (Wednesday).
The trials showed Mr Awesome was in the top one per cent of the breed. He had an high value self-replacing index of $292 and an extreme +2.9 marbling score breeding value.
Mr Awesome was bred from the Japanese bred sire Itoshigenami, one of the foundation bulls brought to Australia in the early 1990s.
"We were already exporting Angus cattle to Japan, when we saw an opportunity to become involved in Wagyus," Mr Dew said.
"Our Japanese customers initially said the Wagyu cattle being produced in Australia weren't suitable.
"However, when the genetics were brought from the US in the early 1990s they decided they were the right article."
About 1700 Wagyu breeders are currently run on Longford.
A total of 56 sires were involved in the Kerwee trial, involving the performance testing of 12 groups of 120 cattle.
Day Two of the WagyuEdge AWA Conference at the RACV Gold Coast kicks off today with a comprehensive look at Wagyu markets and opportunities.
The winners of the 2021 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition will also be named during tonight's gala dinner, sponsored by Stone Axe Pastoral.
More than 400 people are attending the conference.
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