NOBLE HERD - MIKU WAGYU HERD - A FOCUS ON GENETICS
In the following article, Wagyu Breeders Association Member Luke Smith gives his perspective on Wagyu genetics. For the past four years his Noble Herd has been breeding first-cross (F1) Wagyus supplying both the wholesale and retail markets within the UK and EU.
“The Noble Herd places a strong emphasis on utilising high-performing Wagyu genetics as a key focus to producing the very best meat quality for consumers. As part of the ongoing effort to improve product quality, we have concluded an exclusivity arrangement with Miku Wagyu (www.mikuwagyu.com) to use the very best bulls from their herd which includes making these genetics available to breeders within the UK and EU, giving beef producers access to access to the very best performing genetics under F1 contract at an affordable price for commercial application.”
Explains Luke: “I’ve learnt over time that not all Wagyu genetics are suited to F1 Wagyu production and I believe that a focused approach to genetic selection for marbling accompanied with growth is key in establishing a sound supply chain.”
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“Miku Wagyu is focused on breeding for top 1% marbling, but also producing marbling fineness accompanied with intrinsic efficiency performance breeding values. That does not mean that the other traits such as growth and carcase quality are left behind. The focus on quality aligns well with the Noble Herd’s main consideration that the Wagyu beef market in the UK and EU should be focused on the point of difference. It is marbling and the exceptional eating experience that sets Wagyu apart.”
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"Beef as a commodity has come under some scrutiny in recent years due to concerns of the industry’s environmental impact as well as beef’s nutritional impacts. Market data reflects to some extent that beef consumption per capita in UK and EU markets has reduced. However, the data also shows that demand for a higher quality, locally produced beef product that responds to consumer concerns such around quality, nutritional value and the environment is growing. “
Continues Luke: “The beef industry must therefore become more competitive and position itself in the market as a luxury protein and develop solutions for improvement to meet consumer needs. Beef cattle can require up to three years for a cycle in genetic development and so our ability to accelerate genetic development is limited compared to that of say chicken or pork. The ability to source marbling genetics at the very top of the spectrum of sires available worldwide is a major breakthrough in Noble Herd’s drive to meet customer expectations.”
“Better marble score performance not only results in a more pronounced point of difference in beef marbling and marbling fineness, but also has significant potential to reduce the number of days to slaughter. This reduced days to slaughter and time on concentrate feeding means we can reduce our farm carbon footprint whilst increasing sustainability, something that customers and producers increasingly appreciate. “
It is Noble Herd’s belief that these sustainability benefits aren’t just limited to the environment but are economic as well. “In Northern Ireland at least, beef is more competitively produced from grass and so a more focused approach to sire selection is actually helping us drive improvements in efficiency as well as beef product marketability.”
Says Luke: “Better marbling or better marbling genetics also means a higher oleic acid content, as a percentage in our beef, being responsible for helping our body metabolise fat in a healthier way, producing more ‘good’ cholesterol whilst reducing our ‘bad’ cholesterol. So Wagyu actually may be a healthier option compared to Angus or continental beef, contrary to common misconceptions.”
“No other breed really produces a solution to beef nutrition concerns like Wagyu and with better marbling genetics, a better nutritional profile across a benchmark can be achieved, “ concludes Luke. “In summary, better marbling genetics helps us improve meat quality, product nutritional profile, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Miku Wagyu’s sires provide the very best genetics available to the UK and EU market and offer a unique solution for producers in addressing consumer needs. The Noble Herd, acting as a distributor and agent for Miku Wagyu, is in a position to provide these genetics to producers in the EU and UK.”
For further information, please contact: Luke Smith T/A Noble Herd, 31 Mackenny Road, Cookstown, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK , BT80 9NF. M: 07515874609 E: luke@nobleherd.com