Posts of News Releases

Fitting Clinic at AWA Annual Meeting in Reno

2011-07-29T17:53:36.021Z

texaswagyuassociation2ndannualproductionsalemarch122011

2011-02-05T04:38:28.223Z

2010-01-09T16:34:43.562Z

Membership Application

2009-10-08T07:11:30.609Z

From the Hamilton Herald -Wagyu Barbeque Cookoff

2010-01-09T02:19:28.921Z

Television cameras will be rolling at the first World Wagyu Brisket and Steak Cookoff scheduled in conjunction with the Hamilton County Dove Festival on Labor Day weekend at Fair Park. Cookoff organizer, Dale Sommerfeld, said this week that RFD Channel will be filming the cookoff to be aired on the “American Rancher with Pam Minick” program.

Sommerfeld said he hopes to have 40 teams competing for $5000 in prize money and the competition will be limited to the first 40 paid teams. Wagyu steaks and briskets will furnished to the cooking teams and the selections will be made by drawing.

All proceeds from the cookoff will go to help retire debt incurred to build the Pete and Polly Jenkins Wing onto the Jayson Harris Pavilion at Fair Park. The new addition to the pavilion is used for various events throughout the year, but was specifically designed to house livestock during the annual Hamilton County Youth Fair.

The Texas Wagyu Association is helping to sponsor the cookoff, and several other local sponsors are also contributing to the event.

The public will have an opportunity to enjoy Wagyu beef during a supper starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Brisket plates will sell for $15 and steak plates for $25. Supper tickets will also be entered into drawings for door prizes.

Wagyu is a Japanese breed of cattle, one from which the famous Kobe type of beef is produced.

Cookers entered in the competition will receive Wagyu Cookoff backpacks with souvenirs and caps.

For more information about the cookoff or to enter, contact Sommerfeld at 216-1421 or email dale@dalesbbqtx.com.

2009-10-10T03:00:14.765Z

2009-11-14T04:35:54.546Z

American Wagyu Association National Convention & Sale

2009-11-03T00:37:17.906Z

Congratulations to our Ralph Lee for being voted in as a Board member for the American Wagyu Association! Having Ralph on the National board of directors will be a great benefit for our Texas Wagyu Association. He will officially begin serving on January 1, 2010.

The convention was a very exciting event and provided a great networking opportunity to meet up with old friends and to meet new friends. It was also good as a learning opportunity as many of the concurrent sessions were very informative and provided attendees with relevant, up-to-date information. Michael Beattie, Executive Secretary from the Australian Wagyu Association held a session on their ABRI Breed Plan and online registration web solution. I believe we will see the American Wagyu Association adopt the ABRI solution soon.

The sale was very small and there were not many buyers in attendance. However, it was a good opportunity for buyers to pick up some top genetics at resonable prices. Fullblood heifer lots ranged from $9,500 to $4,600. Fullblood and Purebred bull lots ranged from $7,600 to $1,900. Fullblood pregnancies ranged from $2,600 to $1,800. One flush sold for $1,300. Fullblood embryo lots ranged from $4,250 to $800 (Takeda genetics brought a significant premium). Two semen packages sold for $9,400 and $2,700.

South Texas Wagyu Genetics Meeting

2009-10-28T03:24:56.937Z

In a meeting with South Texas Wagyu breeders coordinated by Don Brown, Dr. Hyde Kojima, Managing Director of Mr. Shogo Takeda's Australian Wagyu Beef Pty Ltd company, led a discussion and workshop on Japanese Black Wagyu foundation genetics and breeding principles. The discussion included commercial rotational breeding, line breeding, and hybrid breeding methods. According to Brown, all of the breeders commented that this was by far the most informative and valuable information on these topics that any of the breeders had learned to date.

Also in attendance was Sepp Kraetz, founder of the German Wagyu Academy. Mr. Kraetz met up with Mr. Brown and Dr. Kojima earlier in the week in Dallas and toured several South Texas ranches and the Graham Land & Cattle Feedlot in Gonzales, Texas.

From center front and clockwise around the table, Bubba Kay, Les Crane, Sepp Kraetz, Jim Chisholm, Dr. Hyde Kojima, Don Brown

Texas Wagyu Association Formed

2009-10-05T13:02:15.000Z

TEXAS WAGYU ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED

In May of this year a group of progressive Texas cattle producers formed the Texas Wagyu Association in response to a growing interest in the Wagyu breed. Wagyu is the Japanese breed of cattle mainly known as Kobe beef. Wagyu beef is highly marbled with a rich buttery flavor. What is not so widely known is that research has shown the beef to be high in mono-unsaturated fat making it a healthier beef choice. Other breeds when crossed with Wagyu result in a better marbling product with higher yield grades. Wagyu cattle are also known for their fertility, feed efficiency and calving ease.

There are currently 42 members in the association representative of Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Officers of the association are Ralph Lee, Hamilton, Texas, President and Burch Wallace, Paradise, Texas, Vice-President. Directors are Don Brown, Valley View, Les Crane, Wimberley, Bruce Hemmingson, Pittsburg, Bubba Kay, Manor, and Rex Ralston, Gruver. Brandi Murphree of Hamilton is Secretary.

The association is already planning their first annual Wagyu production sale to be held at the Fort Worth Stockyards March 13, 2010. In conjunction with the association’s goal to promote Wagyu cattle and beef, members have entered into a Wagyu bull test with PX Feeders in Evant. This test will provide much needed data regarding feed efficiency, growth, and ultrasound data for rib eye, marbling and back fat. Members also have Wagyu heifers in a development program with PX Feeders. The test began in early October.

For more information regarding the Texas Wagyu Association or the advantages of Wagyu cattle, please contact Ralph Lee, (254) 223-3557 or visit the website at www.texaswagyuassociation.org

Article appearing in Weekly Livestock Reporter October 26, 2009 edition