Australian Wagyu Elite Sale: Females sell to $250,000

Strong demand for Wagyu genetics pushed prices to a quarter of a million dollars during the breed’s flagship auction on Sydney Harbour Thursday night.

Demand for Wagyu genetics remains strong despite feeder cattle prices falling in recent months.

Strong demand for Wagyu genetics pushed prices to a quarter of a million dollars during the breed’s flagship auction last night.

Held on a multi-level yacht in Sydney Harbour as part of the Australian Wagyu Association’s annual conference, the auction saw heifers top at $250,000 and bulls fetch as much as $160,000. Three animals sold for more than $100,000 with 12 topping $50,000.

The top priced heifer, Wild West Michinami T62, was offered by the Wild West Wagyu stud at Dongara in Western Australia. The May 2022-born heifer was described in the catalogue by Wild West as “a strong example of what we are trying to achieve”.

“We endeavour to extrapolate our genetics in order to produce and identify well balanced outlier genetics that are suited to both full-blood and F1 production systems.”

Potential buyers at the Australian Wagyu Elite sale held on a multi-level yacht in Sydney Harbour as part of the Australian Wagyu Association’s annual conference on April 20, 2023. Picture: James Wagstaff

The second-top priced heifer, Trent Bridge S211, was offered by the Perry family of Trent Bridge Wagyu at Aberfoyle in NSW. The heifer, which boasted the equal-highest estimated breeding value for marbling in the Wagyu herd book, sold for $160,000.

The top-priced bull, Goldfinger S7013, was offered by Carnana Station at Coolatai in NSW. The grandson of Mayura Itoshigenami Junior and son of Arubial Bond also sold for $160,000.

Australian Wagyu Association president Charlie Perry said global demand for Australian Wagyu remained strong despite feeder cattle prices coming off in recent months.