Die binnelandse mark is sterk besig om te onwikkel en een van die dae is ons internasionale markte oop vir groot volumes Wagyu vleis. Om egter met Wagyu te boer is heeltemal anders as enige ander beesbedryf. Omdat Wagyu boere toelaat om die waardeketting te besit, maak jy nie noodwendig net ‘n paar rand op die speenkalf nie, maar ons Wagyu waardekettings wat deur ons telers ontwikkel is laat jou toe om eienaarskap van die dier deur die waardeketting te vat. In daaropvolgende artikels sal ons in diepte na die somme kyk.
Boere wat met Wagyu begin moet eers met die telers wat tans grootskaal aan die mark lewer praat (of selfs die raadslede). Belangrik is of jy in ‘n kort of lang voer program belangstel. Die bul keuses begin hier. Die Akaushi ras (rooi Wagyu) het dieselfde gewigstoename en speenkalf as enige ander rooi ras en ons telers gebruik hulle hulle hoofsaaklik in korter voer planne (nie langer as n jaar). Die marmering is ook ten minste 2-3 punte hoër as ‘n gewone bees op dieselfde ouderdom. Die Japanese Swart Wagyu is meer gepas vir langer voerprogramme (marmering tellings van bokant 5). Wagyu is ook van die enigste rasse waar die voerkraal die teelwaarde vir marmering wil sien, voordat hulle n speenkalf sal aankoop. Gebruik dus bulle met bo-gemiddelde marmering en bo-gemiddelde oogspier asook gewigs teelwaardes.
Die ras keuse waarmee jy teel is ook belangrik. Die aanbeveling van die CWB komitee (wat by die AJV bekragtig gaan word) is dat hoofsaaklik Britse rasse as kruise gebruik word vir F1 produksie. Die aanbeveling is verder dat Bos Indicus en soortgelyke rasse ‘n F2 as CWB vleis produseer. Die verantwoordelikheid berus ook op die teler om te sorg dat sy F1 kruisras vir die mark behoeftes aanvaarbaar is (Woolworths verskil byvoorbeeld van Checkers se behoeftes).
Diere wat met horings by ‘n voerkraal aankom kan ook nie ‘n premie verwag nie. Die aanbeveling is dat diere se horings voor 2 maande gebrand is.
Lees ook die Certified Wagyu Beef (CWB) protokol. Dit is belangrik en sluit dat DNA toetse gedoen word, kastrasie en speenkalwers wat geweeg word. Diere moet ook teen ‘n tempo van 0.6 kg per dag groei voor dit die voerkraal fase begin.
The domestic market is developing strongly and one of these days our international markets will open to large volumes of Wagyu meat. However, farming with Wagyu is completely different from any other cattle industry and value chain. Because Wagyu allows farmers to own the animal throughout the value chain, you do not necessarily make just a few rand on the weaner calf, but the Wagyu value chains developed by some our breeders allow you to take ownership of the animal throughout the value chain. In subsequent articles we will look in depth at the sums.
Farmers starting with Wagyu must first talk to the breeders who are currently supplying the market on a large scale (Also talk to the board members or CEO). It’s important whether you are interested in a short or long feed program because the choice of bull starts here. The Akaushi breed (red Wagyu) has the same weight gain and weaner calf as any other red breed and our breeders use them mainly in shorter feeding plans (no longer than a year from wean). The marbling is also at least 3 points higher than an ordinary cow at the same age. The Japanese Black Wagyu is more suitable for longer feeding programs (marbling scores from above 5). Wagyu are also among the only breeds where a feedlot wants to see the breeding value for marbling, before they will purchase a weaner calf. So use bulls with above-average marbling and above-average eye muscle as well as weight breeding values if possible.
The choice of commercial cow is also important. The recommendation of the CWB committee (which will be confirmed at the AGM) is that mainly British breeds be used as crosses for F1 production. The recommendation is further that Bos Indicus and similar breeds produce an F2 as CWB meat. The responsibility also rests with the breeder to ensure that his F1 cross breed is acceptable to market requirements (Woolworths differs from Checkers’ needs, for example).
Animals that arrive at a feedlot with horns can also not expect a premium. The recommendation is that animals’ horns be burned before 2 months.
Also read the Certified Wagyu Beef (CWB) protocol. This is important and includes DNA testing, castration and weaned calves being weighed. Animals must also grow at a rate of 0.6 kg per day before starting the feedlot phase.
