Wagyu Cattle
Published on Nov 18, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
WAGYU CATTLE
IONA BRISBANE
CATTLE HISTORY
Cattle were first introduced into Japan around the 2nd century, brought in from the Asian mainland, via the Korean Peninsula. The cattle provided a much needed source of agricultural power, power to pull the plows for the cultivation of rice, power for the growth of a nation. The Shikoku region received the first imports, but because of rugged terrain impairing travel in the region, further migration of the cattle was slow. The cattle were in isolated areas, each essentially a closed population. Generally segregated by topography, those animals were the ancestors of today's Japanese Wagyu breed of cattle.
CATTLE HISTORY
The word Wagyu (pronounced wa-gyou) translated literally means Japanese, or Japanese-style cattle. Interestingly, there was a sound reason for breeding the Wagyu cattle for use only as draft animals, or beast of burden, at the time Japanese religion prohibited the consumption of beef. But all that changed when an innovative Japanese military leader predicted diets rich in beef would make for significantly stronger soldiers, and a successful campaign waged by the general's beef-strengthened troops served to validate his point. From that time forward, beef was a mandated part of the Japanese military diet in time of war--it gave them strength.
Not surprisingly, when the triumphant, beef-fed soldiers returned to their homes and to their farms, they brought with them an appetite for beef. That appetite was a problem--Japanese elders still embraced their traditional beliefs. Cooking and consuming beef inside the home was considered a sacrilege, and desecration of the house, and was therefore forbidden.
What a wagyu looks like
WAGYU BEEF
Wagyu Wagyu (literally "Japanese cow") refers to several breeds of cattle, the most desired of which is genetically predisposed to intense marbling and to producing a high percentage of oleaginous unsaturated fat. The meat from such wagyu cattle is known for its quality, and demands a high price. In several areas of Japan, wagyu beef is shipped carrying area names. Some examples are Kobe, Mishima, Matsusaka, Ōmi, and Sanda beef.
WAGYU IN AUSTRALIA
In 1988 Australian Farmers brought the genetics of Wagyu Cattle and cross bred them with Hereford and Angus. The Wagyu in Australia are the best in the world outside Japan. Tajima cattle from the area surrounding the port of Kobe in Japan are famous for excellent meat quality. Kobe Beef’s reputation spread to the west via the sailors.
THE AUSTRALIAN WAY
Wagyu Cattle take approx 2½ years to become ready for market:
First 6 — 10 months are spent with their mothers until weaning.
Then they are fed 400 — 500 days in the feedlot where they are fed on strict Japanese style, high energy diets that are formulated for Australian conditions.
This process gives Wagyu a high quality meat with a great marbling effect. Giving the meat a velvety sweet flavour that comes from the taste of the fat marbling that dissolves as the meat is cooked.
THE AUSTRALIAN WAY CONTINUED
Wagyu Cattle are then processed under strict and exacting specifications to yield meat that has a fine, velvety texture and magnificent marbling. The meat after cooking is not only very tender but has a characteristically sweet flavour that is due to the soft (unsaturated) fat that readily dissolves in the mouth. A simple analogy is to compare how soft poly unsaturated margarine is relative to hard butter which has much more saturated fat.
THE AUSTRALIAN WAY CONTINUED
The marble score, rated at the 5/6th rib of the loin muscle is evaluated by trained Meat Graders for BOTH quality and quantity. Large pieces of internal fat are ignored. The BMS value ranges from 4 to 9+. In Australia we do not grade BMS over a score of 9. Therefore any carcass that appears to be significantly better than a BMS 9 is given a value of BMS 9+.
The higher the grade of marbling the more delicious the meat.
WAGYU BEEF PRICES
Wagyu beef ribs £165
Wagyu rib eye steaks £98
Wagyu burger £15
WAGU BEEF
IONA BRISBANE S20002452
