NEWSLETTER FROM NAMIBIAN WAGYU SOCIETY
Dear members,
Our “brand new” member, Wesrand Wagyu, – Ronel and Marius Engelbrecht, were interviewed:
WESRAND WAGYU INTERVIEW:
Q. Ronel, where do you farm?
A. We are situated in the Otjozondjupa region close to Otjiwarongo. The name of our establishment is
Wesrand.
Q. Why Wagyu?
A. Wagyu beef is renowned for its exceptional quality, characterized by its marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. The unique genetics of Wagyu cattle, combined with specialized breeding and feeding practices, result in a superior product that stands out in the market. Our passion for high-quality beef drew us to Wagyu, and
we are excited about the opportunity to work with such a prestigious breed.
Additionally, Wagyu beef has a growing global demand, making it an attractive and rewarding field to be involved in. We also have a strong desire to innovate and try new things on our farm. With Wagyu cattle, we can utilize all of our hectares more efficiently and achieve better financial outcomes with fewer animals. This
allows for more productive breeding and a sustainable approach to farming, which aligns with our long-term goals and values.
Q. What do you use as base cows?
A. Our approach to breeding Wagyu involves using high-quality base cows that complement the genetic strengths of Wagyu cattle. Typically, we select Chianina crossed with Bonsmara cows due to their larger body size and robust characteristics. By integrating these traits, we aim to produce Wagyu cattle that are not only superior in marbling and flavor but also larger in size, resulting in more meat overall. By carefully selecting and managing our base cows, we aim to optimize the quality and yield of our Wagyu beef.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. Our future plans involve several key initiatives:
1. Expansion of Herd: We aim to gradually increase the size of our Wagyu herd by incorporating advanced breeding techniques and maintaining strict genetic standards.
2. Sustainability: Implementing sustainable farming practices is a priority for us. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and ensuring the long-term health of our land and animals. This includes:
2.1 Eco-Friendly Feed: Utilizing feed that is sustainably sourced and optimized for Wagyu cattle to ensure their health and growth without depleting natural resources.
2.2 Animal Welfare: Ensuring that our cattle are raised in humane conditions, with ample space, proper nutrition, and minimal stress, which not only supports their well-being but also leads to higher-quality beef.
3. Quality Control: Enhancing our quality control measures to ensure that every cut of Wagyu beef meets the highest standards of marbling, tenderness, and flavor.
Q. Any other comments?
A. We are truly excited about the prospect of working with Wagyu cattle and being part of the Wagyu society. The opportunity to contribute to and learn from this community is invaluable. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and sustainability in our practices. Moreover, we look forward to
collaborating with other members to advance our collective knowledge and appreciation for Wagyu beef. Together, we can enhance the reputation and reach of this exceptional product.
NOTICE: FINANCIAL YEAR END FOR NWS
As we approach the end of the financial year for NWS, we kindly request that all outstanding accounts be settled by 30 June 2024.
Please be aware that any outstanding accounts will be included in the Annual Financial Statements, which will be presented at the AGM later this year.
Additionally, members with registered animals and outstanding accounts will incur interest on these accounts starting from 1 July 2024.
Members who have unpaid annual registration fees but do not have any registered animals will be classified as inactive members, meaning they will not have a say or a vote at the AGM. These inactive members will receive a credit on their account, but must pay the annual registration fee and CAPITA fee to NWS before any
animals can be registered and requests for COAs for animals to be slaughtered can be made.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Thank you.
NWS Finance
IMPORTANT: FEEDBACK FROM NSBA ABOUT PROBLEM ISSUES
Below, a letter from NSBA, after we asked him what should be done from the side of Wagyu breeders to “improve things”.
From Jacque Els:
Dankie vir die geleentheid om ‘n paar sake aan te raak. Ek het reeds by herhaalde kere tydens die AJV van die Wagyu’s daarop gewys dat stoetteling is presisieboerdery en kan nie soss gewone beesboerdery bedryf word
nie. Veral nie in die geval van die Wagyu wat so ‘n hoë waarde produk verskaf nie.
1. Ons het gepraat aangaande die onlangse spesifieke geval, maar daar is ander telers ook wat hare instuur sonder geboortekennisgewings. Die teler moet eers die geboortes instuur voordat die hare ingehandig word. Die NSV kan nie verantwoordelikheid neem om boek te hou van wie wat ingestuur
het en wat nie.
2. Telers moet ag slaan op die RFI verslae wat gelaai word wanneer die geboortes opgeneem word. Hierdie hangdiere moet onmiddelik aandag geniet. Volgens die reels kan ‘n kalf slegs vir 12 maande hang, daarna word dit outomaties van die sisteem verwyder en kan die kalf nie weer terugkom op die sisteem nie. In die geval van die Wagyu’s gaan dit beteken die dier sal ook nie meer as ‘n Wagyu
bemark kan word nie. ‘n Hangkalf tel nie vir die ma se kalfrekords nie, dus word haar vrugbaarheid negatief beinvloed, en sodra dit onder die minimumstandaarde daal, sal sodanige koei outomaties van die sisteem verwyder word.
3. Menige van hierdie probleme spruit uit die feit dat keurings nie gedoen, of volledig gedoen word nie, en dan word met ongekeurde diere geteel. Kalwers gebore uit sulke diere hang, en al word hulle ge- DNA, is dit van geen waarde nie. Daar is kuddes waar daar in die laaste jare geen of weinig keurings
plaasgevind het. Die persone verantwoordelik vir keurings in julle ras, sal hulle sokkies moet optrek. Keuringslyste word jaarliks gedurende Maart gelaai op die sisteem sodat die telers dit kan aftrek.
4. Weeglyste word 2x per jaar; gedurende Maart/April en gedurende Oktober/November gelaai. Ongelukkig is die samewerking vanaf die Wagyutelers aangaande die inhandiging van gewigte, bitter swak. Dus kan hulle ook nie verwag dat daar moet teelwaardes met goeie akkuraathede wees nie. Die
akkuraatheid van ‘n dier se teelwaardes hang grootliks af van sy eie waardes, en dan kom die waardes van sy verwantes by.
5. Wanneer embriokalwers aangemeld word, is dit die persoon wat die embrios gebruik/invoer se verantwoordelikheid om toe te sien dat die DNA Profiele van die embrio se ouers aan die NSV verskaf word, aangesien die NSV moet dit aan Unistel verskaf sodat ouerskap verifikasie gedoen kan word. Indien dit nie gedoen word nie, kan die NSV nie die hare wegstuur van die embriokalwers nie, want dit gaan ‘n vermorsing van geld wees. Daar is sulke haarmonsters in my kantoor. Julle teel met ‘n ras met unieke eienskappe, maar ook unieke uitdagings in sy bestuur. Indien die telers die volle voordeel wil ontsluit, sal hulle moet leer dat die administratiewe gedeelte van die boerdey van
uiterste belang is.
Groete
Jacque
MEMBER CONTRIBUTION:
We thank our member, Dr. Fred Kars, an animal scientist, for the contribution below:
The role of heritability and genetic correlations in production
Heritability
Heritability (h2) is the single most important factor in evaluation, selection and mating systems. It measures the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences of a single trait and expressed in the model P = G + E, where P = phenotype, physical characteristics, performance,
G =
genotype, genetic makeup, heritability, E = environment e.g. feeding, management.
Heritability (expressed as a % or value between 0.0 and 1.0) is estimated from performance records on animals and pedigree information used to establish genetic relationships between those animals and explains the degree to which genes control the expression of a trait. It is used to calculate genetic
evaluations, to predict response to selection and whether it is more efficient to improve traits through management E or through selection G.
For highly heritable traits where h2 exceeds 40%, the animal's phenotype is a good indicator of genetic merit or breeding value while for lowly heritable traits (h2 <15%), an animal's performance is much less useful as genetic progress through selection will be slow. The economic value of the trait may still justify efforts to improve it through selection. Also, the more likely it would respond to improved
management.
Wagyu cattle have a predisposition for superior marbling, this is both in terms of the amount of marbling and the composition of marbling. Marbling is a key driving factor in the premium value that Wagyu cattle and beef demand. Wagyu cattle's marbling is highly heritable. The Australian Wagyu Association calculated the h2 of marble score to be 52% and is supported by a Japanese study (Nogi et. al. 2011) which found h2 = 51%. It is common for Wagyu and Wagyu cross cattle to have
intramuscular fat (IMF) h2 from 20% to even 50%.
Genetic correlations
Genetic correlations measure the relationships between traits and can be positive or negative (values range between -1.0 to 1.0) and indicates how pairs of traits "co-vary" or change together. When genetic correlations are close to zero, different sets of genes control each trait and selection for one trait will have little effect on the other. With a genetic correlation between traits (positive or negative),
selection to improve any single trait will also change the trait to which it is correlated because the genes controlling the two traits overlap to some degree. Genetic correlations from about 0.6 to 0.99 between two traits mean that those traits will progress strongly in the same direction if selection is
practiced for one trait of the pair. Correlations of -0.2 to +0.2 indicates that selection to change one of the traits will have little effect on the other trait. Negative genetic correlations, e.g. -0.6 to -0.99 mean that selection to increase one trait will result in a reduction in genetic merit for the second trait.
Genetic correlations in the middle ground of +/- 0.2 to 0.6 mean that slow change will occur. Sometimes such correlations indicate serious, long term economic problems or opportunities to improve traits that are difficult or expensive to measure.
Conclusion
Consideration of heritability and correlations between traits must be guided by the breeding strategy followed. Where F1 crosses are produced for slaughter, growth and marbling are important traits which have a medium to high h2. Both Final Weight and Average Daily Gain (ADG) are highly correlated with marbling score (0.53 and 0.91 respectively). Hybrid vigour will provide a further advantage for a
F1 cross.
Where upgrading to purebreds is practiced, attention should be given to mothering traits and marbling. Growth at different stages is genetically positively correlated and, if not kept under control, an increase in birth weight may create calving problems and an increase in mature cow size affects feed requirements. Adverse effects have been reported of increased growth on fertility and mothering
abilities.
Acknowledgements
Fukuhara, R , 1976. Performance of meat production and meat quality in Wagyu cattle. JARQ
Vol 10,2.
Nogi, T., 2011. Semanticscholar.org
MEMBER PARTICIPATION:
We thank members who have contributed to this newsletter. Once again: If there are any members who have anything relevant or newsworthy for our following newsletters, please get in direct contact with me. Let’s share as much information as possible!
With kind regards
Joachim Cranz
NWS PRESIDENT
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