What is a Wagyu bull?

WAGYU - a Japanese beef cattle breed – derive from native Asian cattle. 'WAGYU' refers to all Japanese beef cattle, where 'Wa' means Japanese and 'gyu' means cow. Wagyu were originally draft animals used in agriculture, and were selected for their physical endurance.

Are Wagyu cows or bulls?

Crossbred Wagyu

The vast majority of Wagyu to be found in the American meat market is a crossbred animal that stems from a full-blood bull and a conventional cow, such as Angus. Lineage still matters here. As these cattle are half Wagyu, they do produce higher quality beef than traditional commercial cattle.

What is so special about Wagyu beef?

Wagyu beef is distinctive because it is highly marbled. Marbling refers to the visible layers of intramuscular fat. This is fat that is found in the muscle. Due to the unique genetics of the cows, the meat contains a higher percentage of fatty acids than ordinary beef, giving it a higher marbling score.

How much is a Wagyu bull worth?

You will need to either acquire some Wagyu semen for Artificial Insemination (AI) or embryo production, or buy a Wagyu bull for breeding. A good bull will cost between $4,000 and $12,000 (though once again, you can spend a lot more or less…).

What part of the cow does Wagyu come from?

Wagyu Top Sirloin

This is a thick, lean cut of meat found at the back end of the cow. It provides rich flavor and is moderately tender, most known for its robust beefy flavor.

All About The Wagyu

What makes Wagyu so expensive?

"It is expensive due to the manner in which the cows were raised and slaughtered," Brazile says. "The young cattle are fed milk by hand and grow up grazing on an open pasture." According to the AWA, Wagyu production is closely regulated by the Japanese government.

What does Wagyu taste like?

WHAT DOES WAGYU BEEF TASTE LIKE? You'll find that it has a buttery, yet firm texture and lustrous, red colour It's a very juicy style of beef with some serious umami flavour. Although it has a strong beefy taste, it's more “sweet” than “greasy.”

How big do Wagyu bulls get?

Wagyu are not as big and fast as Angus cattle, said Wagyu cattle producer Francis Pang, of Navarre. They are leaner, finishing at around 1,500 pounds and take around 400-450 days to finish out.

How big are Wagyu bulls?

Wagyu Cattle Characteristics

The bulls weigh about 1,500 pounds, topping out at around 1,700, and the cows average about 1,200 pounds and top out closer to 1,500. Both red and black Wagyu are known for their fertility and ease in calving. Bulls are extremely fertile and can service 50% more cows than most other breeds.

How many cows can a Wagyu bull breed?

Most experts agree that an experienced bull (> 2 years of age) that passes a breeding soundness exam should easily service 30 females in a 60- to 70-day breeding season.

Is Walmart Wagyu beef real?

Is Walmart Wagyu real? No, Walmart Wagyu is not real Japanese Wagyu. They breed Wagyu cattle with American cattle as Wagyu only needs around 46% Wagyu genetics to be sold as Wagyu in a retail store.

Is Wagyu better than Angus?

USDA Prime Angus beef is also an exceptional product. Wagyu generally exhibits somewhat more marbling than USDA Prime with some subtle differences in the fat type and content, but to say that it is “better” than high quality Angus/Angus cross beef is a bit of a stretch.

Do Wagyu cows drink beer?

Japanese wagyu cattle are raised in Kobe, Japan, and are considered to be the supreme breed of beef. Beer is included in the daily diet of these cattle, as well as sake massage and sake nourishment. The meat is exceptionally tender, well marbled, and full of flavor as a result.

What breeds make up Wagyu?

In Japan there are four breeds that are considered Wagyu and those are the Japanese Black (the predominant Wagyu exported to the U.S), Japanese Brown (In the U.S. referred to as Red Wagyu), Japanese Polled and Japanese Shorthorn. There are no Japanese Polled or Shorthorns being bred outside Japan.

How old are Wagyu cows when slaughtered?

During the finishing period in particular, the most common fattening method is to provide as much concentrate as possible and rice straw ad libitum. Overall, cattle are fed a high-energy diet twice or three times daily from 11 months of age until slaughter at 28 to 30 months of age.

What do they do to Wagyu cows?

After auction, the cows are taken to feeding farms where they're given names and allowed to roam and graze in a stress-free environment. Wagyu farmers take great pride in providing a humane life for their cows, and they are given plenty of room in their pens and outside on the pasture to graze.

Is Wagyu beef male or female?

Wagyu cattle are very fertile and most females cycle before twelve months of age. Bulls can reliably service 50% more females than most other breeds. Wagyu cattle have superior beef conversion and the ability to marble on both grain and pasture feeding.

What should I look for in a Wagyu bull?

“In selecting Wagyu bulls, take note of structure, as with any other breed. While Wagyu tend to be more fine-boned with a lighter frame, all the usual requirements of good feet and legs still apply,” he said.

Are Wagyu cows treated well?

The cows are treated respectfully.

Unfortunately, these tales are unfounded, though the cows are treated humanely and with respect. They are raised outdoors in their youth, allowed to graze on grass and fed nutritious feed as their age advances.

Can you raise Wagyu cattle in the US?

Wagyu beef is also raised differently than any other cattle breed here in the U.S. Typically, most cattle are raised either on pasture or in a feedlot setting until the reach somewhere around 1,000 pounds, give or take a few hundred pounds.

How old does a Wagyu bull have to be to breed?

In general, Wagyu heifers should be bred by 14-15 months at a breeding weight of 650-750 lbs or at 65-70% of their expected mature weight.

How much does Wagyu sperm cost?

This young bull has excellent conformation, a super-sweet temperament, and below-average birth weight genetics. He is 100% full blood Wagyu and registered. A limited supply of semen is available - priced at $50/straw, F.O.B.

Is Wagyu beef healthy?

It's not as simple as believing that all fats are bad, or that if something tastes amazing, there's got to be a catch. There's no catch here: Wagyu beef is healthy and packed with monounsaturated fatty acids. It makes a decadent dinner any day of the week.

What does Wagyu smell like?

Japanese Wagyu beef has a sweet, coconut-like aroma. Scientists found 16 compounds associated with the smell, 10 of which are newly associated with the meat.

Can you eat raw Wagyu beef?

You may be surprised to learn that in Japan, Wagyu beef is often consumed completely raw. In fact, there are a number of dishes which feature raw beef, including but not limited to sushi, thin sliced to show off the beautiful marbling.