Wagyu Newsletter

AWA Friday Newsletter - August 6, 2021

POSTED: 08/06/2021
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Vol 2, No 32

For those that attended the recent meeting of the Beef Improvement Federation in Des Moines, IA they heard from several speakers the opportunities and expansion of beef semen sales for use in dairy herds. Statistics of domestic semen sales for Dairy and Beef as reported by the National Association of Animal Breeders shows some interesting statistics.

Over the last five years domestic beef semen sales have increased 193.5% while dairy semen sales have dropped 18.2% over this same period. While sales of dairy semen still outpaces that of beef semen it’s clear that what was lost in dairy semen sales was replaced by increased demand for beef semen.

Additionally, of the 45 plus beef breed statistics reported, Wagyu was #7 for total domestic beef semen sales in 2020 with a reported increase of 104% from 2019 to 2020. This was the largest increase of any beef breed with more than 3,000 reported units of domestic semen sales. Additionally, no dairy breed reported an increase of domestic beef semen sales greater 25%.
Our featured speaker this week for the AGM & Conference is Dr. Harvey Blackburn, USDA ARS, Director, National Germplasm Program

The National Animal Germplasm Program, or NAGP, is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture that captures and cryogenically preserves germplasm from plants and animals it considers important to agriculture for the purpose of preserving biodiversity and to provide economic benefits to the agriculture industry. Germplasm consists of semen, embryos, and other tissues that contain genetic information. Germplasm inventory is currently approaching 1.2 million units, including nearly 60,000 samples on animals representing 170 breeds.

Dr. Blackburn will be speaking about Genetic Diversity in breeding populations and specifically the American Wagyu Population.

Since 1999, Dr. Blackburn has managed the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s National Animal Germplasm Program, located in Fort Collins. CO. The mission of the program is to conserve and assess animal genetic resources of the United States. Prior to his current assignment, he worked for ARS in Idaho and the World Bank in Washington, D.C. He received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Animal Breeding and Genetics. He is originally from eastern Colorado.

Advertising Now Available in the 2021 Annual Conference Program
Proceeds go to support the Annual Conference, research, and other association programs. The conference program is mailed to the entire active membership of the AWA and used for promotion throughout the year at other events and inquiries.

This is an excellent way for members of the American Wagyu Association and service providers to let others know about their great genetics and services. Click on the following link for rates and specifications. Please contact the office to reserve your spot.

Registration for our 2021 AGM and Conference is now OPEN!
This year the conference is in Fort Collins, Colorado and we have been working very closely with the Colorado State University Department of Animal Science to put on a very informative and fun conference.

Please click on the above link to view the sponsorship opportunities, the preliminary schedule, presenters and also the link to the registration form.

We hope you will consider becoming a sponsor for this year’s conference. We have many different types of sponsorships to suite your business needs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office.



Attending the NCBA Convention & Trade Show?
Plan to visit the American Wagyu Association at booth 1748.

Steps to Submitting Performance Data – #11
Inputting Weaning Data for Calves Part 4 (Click on screenshot thumbnail to enlarge)

EID: Electronic ID from an EID Ear Tag

Status: Status of the subject animal. Defaults to ‘Active’. If animal is inactive, and may have died post weaning, or been culled or sold commercially, select the most appropriate status for the animal from the dropdown menu.

Upgrade Options: Registration Options. If the animal has not met registration requirements (DNA parent verification, etc), there will not be a dropdown menu available to select a registration option. If the animal meets all registration requirements, you will have a few options available to select:

Register – request a breeding registration
Move to Feeder – leave animal unregistered, but classify animal as a feeder
Register and Move to Feeder – classify animal as a feeder and request a feeder registration
AWA Window Shades Now Available
Whether you’re interested in something for yourself or a gift for your customers, we have several items to choose from. With each purchase you are helping support your association and proudly support this great Wagyu breed. It's hot out there. Check out our new AWA window shade to help you beat the heat!

wagyu.org/consumers/shopwagyu

Share a Favorite Photo
We make lots of memories with family, friends and Wagyu cattle! What activities have you been up to on the farm? Send us a picture and we will chose one to feature in an upcoming newsletter!

AWA Calendar
April 1, 2021 – Annual Membership Renewal – Late Fees Apply
May 1, 2021 – CAR Fall Enrollment Starts
June 30, 2021 – CAR Fall Enrollment Deadline – Fees Increase July 1
September 23 – 25, 2021 – Annual General Meeting and Conference, Fort Collins, CO

Upcoming Industry Events/Livestock Shows
August 10 – 12 , 2021 – NCBA Trade Show – Nashville, TN
November 17, 2021 – NAILE – Wagyu Show – Louisville, KY
January 9 , 2022 – NWSS – Wagyu Show – Denver, CO
February 28 – March 20, 2022 – Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Houston, TX
February 1 – 3, 2022 – NCBA Trade Show – Houston, TX

Upcoming Member Events
August 8, 2021 – Studwagyuauction.com – Semen Shootout (1 Hour Event)
August 21, 2021 – Elite Wagyu Sale - Salado, TX
August 23-27 – Triple Crown Steak Challenge: Send in your Steaks
September 11, 2021 – Studwagyuauction.com – "Calling all Ladies" Live and Frozen Lots
Oct. 2, 2021 – Joseph Decuis Inaugural "Toast to a Wagyu Celebration" Sale, Roanoke, IN
October 9, 2021 – Studwagyuauction.com – Domestic and International Frozen Genetics
Oct. 23, 2021 – Vermont Wagyu Production Sale – At the Farm in Springfield, VT
November 6, 2021 - Texas Wagyu Association - Fall Harvest Event - Luling, Texas
March 19, 2022 - Triangle B Ranch - Spring of Opportunities Production Sale - Stigler, OK
March 26, 2022 - The Top Shelf Collection - Genomic Marvels at their Finest - Luling, TX
April 9, 2022 - M6 Ranch Wagyu - Bull Battery Sale - Alvarado, Texas
June 4, 2022 - Passion For Prime - Salina, Kansas

To post an upcoming event or to advertise your event with a live link, please contact the AWA Office.

Helpful Links

Stockmanship & Stewardship
Beef Quality Assurance
Beef Improvement Federation
Masters of Beef Advocacy
National Education Center for Agricultural Safety
Beef Cattle Community
eBEEF

Advertise with the AWA
The American Wagyu Association offers many ways members can advertise their genetics and products through AWA services. These include Face Book, Premium Advertising Page, eBlasts, Classifieds, the Annual Breeders Guide and other opportunities. Contact the AWA office for more information or visit wagyu.org/members/advertising-services



Download our advertising fee schedule



Robert Williams, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Contact us at office@wagyu.org for any advertising inquires.
Visit us at wagyu.org for more information about the Wagyu breed.