Panellists Steve Martin, Andrew Malloy, Berry Reynolds and moderator Peter Krause during the Future Wagyu Feeder Workshop at the 2019 Wagyu conference.

IN further signs that beef industry events are getting back to normal after the disruptions caused by COVID last year, the Australian Wagyu Association will stage its 2021 annual conference on the Gold Coast in April.

Last year’s Wagyu Edge conference was cancelled due to COVID, with a series of online events held in its place.

The AWA’s 2021 event will be held at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast from 27-29 April.

The annual conference is one of the biggest breed-specific beef industry events in Australia, bringing together Wagyu cattle breeders, lotfeeders, brand program managers, commercial exhibitors, nutritionists, geneticists, meat scientists, restaurateurs and others with specialist expertise. The last 2019 conference held in Adelaide attracted more than 300 delegates from all Australian states and overseas.

The timing of this year’s Wagyu Edge conference is designed to align with the Beef 2021 industry event in Rockhampton starting 2 May, giving stakeholders the option to participate in a post-conference tour from the Gold Coast to Rockhampton from 30 April to 2 May, visiting a number of prominent Wagyu breeding properties and feedlots en-route.

This year’s conference will follow a familiar format, combining a comprehensive seminar program and workshops featuring specialist guest speakers, with the presentation of the awards for the Wagyu Branded Beef Competition, proposed Wagyu genetics auction and commercial trade display. Numerous social events will allow plenty of time for interaction and fellowship with other stakeholders.

A regular feature of the WagyuEdge annual conference, a final go-ahead for the Elite Wagyu Sale is yet to be made, but if it occurs, it will be conducted live and online on 28 April. The catalogue entries are limited to animals and genetics representing the top 5pc of Australian Wagyu genetics, and special interest genetics. Contact GDL’s Harvey Weyman-Jones for details 0414 941 788.

Wagyu branded beef competition

The 2021 Wagyu branded beef competition will be held in coming months, with winners to be announced during the conference’s gala dinner on 28 April.

Nominations for this year’s competition close on 12 February, with judging due to take place on March 17, in Fullblood, Crossbred and Commercial categories. In addition to gold, silver and bronze medals in each category based on points score, category champion awards will be awarded to the highest scoring entry in each category. The highest scoring category champion will earn the grand championship.

The presentation of awards will take place at the conference’s Gala Dinner, which again will include the Charity Auction, supporting the Royal Flying Doctors’ Service and Wagyu Fellowship.

• Tickets for this year’s Wagyu Edge conference go on sale on Australia Day, 26 January. Details on conference speakers and topics will be released in coming weeks.