CONFERENCE + TOUR PROGRAM
15 -17 APRIL 2026
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND
STOCKFEEDS
LIVESTOCK DALBY
WELCOME
Dear WagyuEdge Delegate,
On behalf of the Australian Wagyu Association, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to WagyuEdge’26: Innovation Shared, Luxury Experienced, our landmark annual conference taking place in beautiful Brisbane this April.
WagyuEdge has become the cornerstone event for Australia’s Wagyu sector — a place where producers, innovators, researchers, and industry leaders come together to exchange knowledge, celebrate achievement, and explore the remarkable journey of Wagyu from paddock to plate. This year’s program has been meticulously designed to inspire and inform, with worldclass speakers, market-shaping insights, and sessions that span the art, science and business of luxury beef.
Over the course of three days, you’ll have the opportunity to engage deeply with cutting-edge topics — from genetic innovation and reproductive technologies to market intelligence and the next generation of Wagyu leadership. You’ll hear from some of our industry’s most visionary thinkers, and walk away with practical insights to help shape future success.
We’re also delighted to bring back your favourite signature events, including the prestigious Wagyu Branded Beef Competition Awards night, the Elite Wagyu Sale, and the unforgettable Industry Dinner. In addition, delegates have the option to extend their experience with our exclusive post-conference tour — an immersive behind-the-scenes look at world-class Wagyu operations across Queensland’s supply chain.
The strength of our industry lies in the passion, ingenuity and collaboration of people like you. I encourage you to take full advantage of every session, discussion and networking opportunity — because when we share knowledge and celebrate excellence together, we drive the entire Wagyu community forward.
Thank you for joining us for WagyuEdge’26. I look forward to celebrating the innovation and success of Australian Wagyu with you.
Dr Matt McDonagh AWA Chief Executive Officer
MEAT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 1/2/3
LUNCHES are sponsored by Jack’s Creek
Jack’s creek is a family owned and operated vertically integrated beef business. We pride ourselves on producing the best quality beef for you, your family, and friends to enjoy time after time! Only producing beef from top performing Wagyu and Angus cattle ensures that every product delivers an exceptional eating experience. Jack’s Creek is anything but standard. With care and precision applied across the complete supply chain, you can rest assured that every cut will be tender, juicy and packed with flavour.
AFTERNOON TEA sponsored by Jac Wagyu
Jac Wagyu’s story began with Tom Lewis, a WW1 veteran who was granted a soldiers block allocation in the fertile Gwydir Valley of New South Wales. Over the decades, the family embraced hard work and innovation to transform the farm into a thriving enterprise. In 2002, Jason and Ann Lewis took the helm, launching Jac Wagyu with a vision to specialise in premium Wagyu genetics and beef production. Today the farm spans over 2500 hectares, combining cutting edge techniques with values of a proud farming legacy.
Jac Wagyu overseas every step of the production process to ensure the highest quality in every product. From breeding premium Wagyu cattle with industry leading genetics to providing meticulous care in feeding and finishing in our very own feedlot situated on our homestead property “Clevecourt”. Every aspect of our production is guided by a commitment to ethical, sustainable and regenerative practices.
By combining traditional methods with innovative technology, we deliver Wagyu beef across the world renowned for its exceptional marbling, flavour, and quality.
Discover how four generations of expertise and innovation create the world-class Wagyu that defines JAC Wagyu.
This is why that at Jac Wagyu we say we are: “Crafting Flavour from the Ground Up”.
WBBC AWARDS
MAIN COURSE sponsored by Mort & Co
Mort & Co is synonymous with lot feeding and was one of the first companies to introduce Wagyu cattle to Australian feedlots 25 years ago. Since then, its Wagyu numbers on feed have continued to grow, with around 27,000 head on feed today. The company has produced some of Australia’s most renowned Wagyu beef brands for customers across the world, including The Phoenix and Master Selection.
Driven by a commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability, Mort & Co partners closely with producers and invests in long-term relationships that consistently deliver award-winning Wagyu. From the genetics and dedication on farm, to precision nutrition, animal welfare and meticulous processing standards, Phoenix beef meets the highest expectations of both domestic and global markets. This end-to-end focus on excellence underpins consistent eating quality, reliable supply, and a brand reputation built on trust.
INDUSTRY DINNER
ENTREE sponsored by Mayura Station
Mayura Station is a multi-award-winning family-owned business from the Limestone Coast of South Australia that specialises in the production of Fullblood Wagyu beef.
A vertically integrated operation that spans genetical analysis, breeding, grain & fodder production, feed lotting, restaurants and an internationally acclaimed boxed beef program.
Our beef is sold both within Australia and into many international markets.
Mayura Station has proudly been awarded Australian Wagyu Association Grand Champion brand a record 3 times.
MAIN sponsored by Stanbroke
Stanbroke is a proudly family owned Australian beef producer, built on more than sixty years of agricultural heritage and a fully integrated supply chain spanning properties, feedlots and processing. With operations across Queensland and New South Wales, Stanbroke continues to focus on delivering consistent, high quality beef from the start of the supply chain through to customers in more than 40 countries.
At the centre of the portfolio is Diamantina, Stanbroke’s longest standing beef brand and one well recognised across the industry for its premium quality, marbling and consistency. Continually evolving, Diamantina reflects both the legacy and ongoing innovation within the Stanbroke business.
Stanbroke is proud to support the Australian Wagyu Association Branded Beef Competition and to contribute to an industry committed to quality, integrity and continuous improvement.
INDUSTRY SHOWCASE – EXHIBITOR MAP
THERE’S ONLY ONE BRD PROGRAM FOR ME” “
CHARLIE PERRY, CATTLE PRODUCER, NSW
For weaners, IBR and MH are two of the leading causes of Bovine Respiratory Disease. Young cattle are susceptible at weaning. However, rapid control of IBR and MH is easy. Just one spray of Rhinogard for IBR and one shot of Bovi-Shield MH-One delivered one time on-farm, and your weaners are covered. There’s no need to muster twice.
Don’t wait! Rapid BRD protection is available from your cattle vet and local reseller now.
ONE SPRAY ONE SHOT ONE TIME
why Charlie Perry, and many other cattle industry identities, prefer the ONE time BRD program.
WAGYU BRANDED BEEF COMPETITION
2026 AWARDS
Celebrating its 15th year, the 2026 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition (WBBC) continues its legacy as Australia’s longest running and most prestigious evaluation of Wagyu excellence. Hosted by the Australian Wagyu Association, the WBBC is more than a competition, it is a vital industry benchmark recognised globally for its rigorous independent analysis and role in setting the gold standard for luxury beef. By showcasing the pinnacle of Australian Wagyu to domestic and international markets, the competition fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
This year’s event saw a record-breaking calibre of competition, with 80 entries spanning five specialised classes. From the rich complexity of Fullblood Wagyu to the exceptional consistency of Commercial Wagyu F1 (MS 5–7), this year's entrants shattered previous records. This elite level of quality reinforces Australia's reputation as a world leader, with this year's entries setting a new benchmark that surpasses all historical records.
For the participating brands, the WBBC serves as a transformative platform. Winning an award brings immense prestige and market credibility, providing producers with the data driven insights necessary to refine their products and lead the sector. The 2026 Awards Ceremony will be broadcast live to an audience of industry professionals, passionate breeders and respected commentators, crowning the champions of an industry that refuses to stand still. Through this commitment, recognition and feedback, the WBBC remains instrumental in ensuring the ongoing advancement and global dominance of the Australian Wagyu sector.
GRAND CHAMPION HONOUR ROLL
2025 Sanchoku Pure Wagyu by Stanbroke
2024 Signature Series by Mayura Station
2023 Jade Wagyu by Kilcoy Global Foods
2022 Signature Series by Mayura Station
2021 Stone Axe by Stone Axe Pastoral
2020 Stone Axe by Stone Axe Pastoral
2019 Signature Series by Mayura Station
2018 The Phoenix by Mort & Co Ltd
2017 Tajima Wagyu by Andrews Meat Industries
2016 Pardoo Wagyu
2015 Master Kobe by AACo
2014 Shiro Kin by Andrews Meat Industries
2026 ELITE WAGYU SALE
The 2026 Elite Wagyu Sale represents a pinnacle moment for the global Wagyu industry, showcasing a curated selection of rare genetics and high-performance animals. This year’s lineup is strictly limited to the top 5% of Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) for carcase, growth and maternal traits, with Breed $Index values ranking in the elite top 1% of the AWA breed registry. Leveraging the newly launched Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs), AWA’s sophisticated inhouse genetic evaluation, every animal in this sale is backed by the most precise and verified data available.
The 2026 catalogue is capped at 33 exceptional lots, featuring a premier selection of bull, female, semen and embryo lots. This event carries additional significance as the final Elite Wagyu Sale in its current format. While the EWS has been a longstanding highlight of the WagyuEdge conference, the AWA is forging a new path for 2027 and beyond, preparing to unveil fresh opportunities for members to showcase elite genetics on the global stage.
We invite bidders from across the globe to join us for this historic auction, held live at the WagyuEdge’26 conference on Thursday, 16th April 2026. For those unable to attend in person, the sale will be interfaced online via StockLive, providing a seamless digital platform to secure the finest Wagyu genetics in the world. Do not miss this final chance to invest in a legacy of excellence as we celebrate the conclusion of an era and look toward a new frontier for the Wagyu breed.
LIVESTOCK DALBY
To mark the close of this year’s sale, please join us for an evening of networking and relaxation. Enjoy a cocktail reception featuring gourmet food stations, canapés, and Wagyu prepared over live fire by the renowned Jess Pryles.
The Cocktail Reception will commence at 6.30pm on the Plaza Terrace and is proudly sponsored by Rabobank.
At Rabobank we have a deep understanding of agriculture and are passionate about supporting our clients to grow. As a dedicated Agri bank founded by farmers, for farmers, Rabobank is committed to the ag industry. We believe strong relationships are the foundation of good business. That's why we invest in delivering trusted market intelligence and global insights through our global network of 90 research analysts positioned across the supply chain - from farm to fork - providing us with world-class insights into the global trends shaping agriculture. Because when you have the right knowledge at the right time, you can make decisions with confidence We’ve been proudly supporting farmers since 1898 and know it’s a long game, filled with unique challenges and opportunities, but whether it’s a bumper season or a leaner year we’ll be here to help you grow.
Visit www.rabobank.com.au to find out more
33 LOTS ON OFFER
THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2026
AUCTION COMMENCES 5.30PM (AEST)
Please scan for the Helical Sale Catalogue
Selling Agent
RAY WHITE LIVESTOCK DALBY Email: wagyusales@raywhite.com
DAVID FELSCH 0488 993 931
TOM WILDING DAVIES 0429 570 504
Please scan for Online Bidding Pre-sale Registrations (STOCKLIVE)
Online Interface – StockLive Phone 1300 259 742
COCKTAIL EVENT Commences 6.30pm - Live entertainment - Gourmet Food stations & Canapes - Wagyu cooked over live fire by Jess Pryles
Cocktail Event proudly sponsored by
Proud Sponsor of 2026 WagyuEdge
The future of Wagyu starts here
Leading technology
Proven science
Reliable results
Global reach
Dr. Bruno Sanches
Vytelle is proud to feature Dr. Bruno Sanches again this year as a speaker at the 2026 WagyuEDGE Conference. A leading authority in animal reproduction, livestock IVF, and embryo cryopreservation, Dr. Sanches will share global trends and data‑driven insights drawn from thousands of IVF collections and transfers made possible through Vytelle’s hormone‑free IVF platform.
VP of Operations, Vytelle ADVANCE
DAY 1 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL – BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
9:00AM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & INDUSTRY SHOWCASE OPENING Registration desk located in the Plaza Ballroom Foyer, BCEC
WAGYUEDGE26 OFFICIAL OPENING
Plaza Ballroom, BCEC
10:00AM Welcome Address
Laird Morgan, President, AWA Kimberley Busteed, WagyuEdge26 Master of Ceremonies
SESSION 1 INNOVATION IN ACTION: AWA TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
10:10AM Welcome and AWA programs update
Dr Matt McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer, AWA
10:35AM AWA’s new genetic evaluation pipeline
Dr Vinzent Boerner, Founder, GHPC Consulting and Services PTY LTD
10:55AM Understanding and interpreting WBVs
Dr Christian Duff, Chief Operating Officer, AWA
11:25AM The Helical Database as AWA’s new member platform
Daniel Garrick, Founder and CEO, Helical
11:45AM Using data to Amplify your Buying and Selling Advantage
Wyn Snyman, Chief Executive Officer, AuctionsPlus
12:00PM LUNCH WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room
Sponsored by Nbryo Meat Supplied by Jacks Creek
SESSION 2 THE BIG PICTURE: RISKS AND REALITIES
12:50PM Impact of policy and trade on the Wagyu sector
The Hon Julie Collins, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
1:20PM Protecting the premium - Biosecurity insights for the Wagyu industry future
Dr Samantha Allan, CEO Animal Health Australia
1:40PM Exotic Disease risks to the Australian cattle industry: the real risk to your business.
Dr Ross Ainsworth, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Buffalo Industry Council Inc.
2:10PM AFTERNOON TEA WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room
Sponsored by Sandalwood Feedlot
SESSION 3 FEEDING THE FUTURE CHANGING FACE OF WAGYU FEEDLOTTING
2:50PM Queenslands Largest Wagyu Feedlot: Mort & Co Charlie Mort, Executive Chairman, Director, Mort & Co
3:05PM JBS Australia’s leading Wagyu brand Edwin Cooke, General Manager Livestock Northern, JBS Australia
3:20PM Sandalwoods vertically integrated program
Geoff Cornford, Managing Director, Sandalwood Feedlot
3:35PM FEEDLOTTING PANEL Session
Chaired by Dr Matt McDonagh
WAGYU BRANDED BEEF COMPETITION 2025 AWARDS CEREMONY
Dress Code: Formal
6:00PM Pre dinner drinks and canapes
Plaza Ballroom Foyer, BCEC
7:00PM 2026 Award Ceremony
Jess Pryles, WBBC Awards Master of Ceremonies
Plaza Ballroom BCEC
As a highlight of the WagyuEdge Conference, we invite you to an evening of fine dining dedicated to celebrating Australia’s premier Wagyu producers. The festivities begin during predinner drinks, where guests can enjoy exclusive tastings of every 2026 entry, expertly prepared on BBQs. The celebration continues with a premium main course, proudly sponsored by Mort & Co, culminating in the highly anticipated crowning of this year’s 2026 Grand Champion. Join us as we honor our gold medalists and class winners in a night dedicated to the pursuit of Wagyu excellence.
Genuine leaders in specialist property.
DAY 2 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
THURSDAY 16 APRIL – BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
8:00AM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & INDUSTRY SHOWCASE OPENING Registration desk located in the Plaza Ballroom Foyer, BCEC
SESSION 4 MARKET DYNAMICS AND WAGYU
8:30AM Has the quality end of the beef market reached a tipping point?
Simon Quilty, Global Meat Trade and analyst, MLX & Global Agri Trends
9:20AM Wagyu premiums in an unpredictable geopolitical world
Matt Dalgliesh, Director, Episode3.net
10:10AM MORNING TEA WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room Sponsored by Black Box Co
SESSION 5 WAGYU’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE ENVIRONMENT
11:00AM Trade Opportunities, Beef’s Share
Hamish McIntyre, President, National Farmers’ Federation and Managing Director, McIntyre Agriculture
11:40AM Navigating the global trade landscape: how trade policy outcomes support beef industry market access
Ms Catherine Raper, First Assistant Secretary and Australia’s Chief Negotiator Office of Global Trade Negotiations & AU-EU FTA, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
12:20PM PANEL Q&A Session
12:40PM LUNCH WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room Sponsored by C-Lock Meat Sponsored by Jacks Creek
SESSION 6 REPRODUCTION AND NUTRITION ADVANCES IN WAGYU
1:30PM Wagyu IVF & Reproduction: Fact, Fiction and What Actually Works
Bruno Valente Sanches, VP of Operations, Vytelle Advance
2:15PM Wagyu Bull Fertility: When Assumptions Fail and Measurements Matter
Dr Ced Wise, Head Veterinarian, Wise Repro
3:00PM Biology Can’t Be Cheated
John Doyle, Managing Director & Consulting Nutritionist, Integrated Animal Production
3:45PM AFTERNOON TEA served in the WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room
ELITE WAGYU SALE COCKTAIL EVENING
Dress Code: Cocktail
5:30PM 2026 Elite Wagyu Sale
Hosted by the Australian Wagyu Association in conjunction with selling agents Ray White Livestock Dalby and online selling platform StockLive Sponsored by Ray White Livestock Dalby and StockLive
6:30PM Cocktail Event with Jess Pryles Plaza Terrace, BCEC
To mark the close of this year’s sale, please join us for an evening of networking and relaxation at our post sale cocktail reception, proudly sponsored by Rabobank. This celebratory finale offers the perfect opportunity to unwind and connect with industry peers while enjoying live entertainment alongside a sophisticated selection of gourmet canapés and interactive food stations designed to delight the palate.
The evening’s culinary centerpiece features Wagyu prepared over live fire by the renowned Jess Pryles. Witness the art of live-fire cooking as every bite showcases the extraordinary quality and heritage of the Wagyu breed. Sponsored by Rabobank
Family Owned. Globally Trusted. Accurate Wagyu Genomics. Make Us Part of Your DNA.
Weatherbys is proud to sponsor WagyuEdge ‘26 and continue to support the progress of Australia’s Wagyu industry.
We invite you to join us at stands 15 & 22 to meet Paul Flynn, our Head of R&D. Paul has been closely involved in Wagyu genomic tests including HFSD, SCD, and CL16, and was pivotal in enabling us to bring the Annexin A10 test to market so quickly.
Whether you’re a seedstock or commercial breeder, our team can discuss which of our genomic services are best to help you with making confident, data-driven breeding decisions.
Paul Flynn Head of R&D
DAY 3 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
FRIDAY 17 APRIL – BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
8:00AM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & INDUSTRY SHOWCASE OPENING
Registration desk located in the Plaza Ballroom Foyer, BCEC
SESSION 7 WAGYU ON THE RISE: EXPANSION IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH
9:00AM A 14-year rollercoaster to producing Wagyu in Queensland
Tom McLeish, Diamond Cattle Co and TopX
9:40AM Trent Bridge Wagyu: A family operation
Charlie Perry, Trent Bridge Wagyu
10:20AM MORNING TEA served WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room
Sponsored by Land Watch
SESSION 8 WAGYU’S NEW WAVE: LEADERS AND LEGENDS
11:10AM Norlin Wagyu, building a beef brand and cattle operation from scratch
Sebastian Christensen, Norlin Wagyu
11:50AM The quality shift: King River Ag
Harrison Kemp, Operations Manager, Lotus Park Ag & Director, King River Ag
Joshua Rich, General Manager, King River Ag
12:30PM Grass cows and cash
Joseph Kerin, Operations Manager and Stud Master, Kerin Wagyu
1:10PM LUNCH WagyuEdge26 Industry Showcase, Plaza Terrace Room
Sponsored by Atlas Grazing
Meat Sponsored by Jacks Creek
SESSION 9 NEXT GEN WAGYU INNOVATORS AND TECHNOLOGY
2:10PM Preparing the Next Generation of Wagyu Leaders
Jessie Macqueen, President, WagYouth
2:30PM Retail meat yield prediction in Wagyu
Cooper Carter, Graduate Research Assistant, Texas Tech University
2:50PM TECHNOLOGY PANEL: AI in AgTech, where will it take us?
– Sid Goutam, Head of Technology Strategy Animal Management, Gallagher
– Davide Defendi, Chief Technology Officer, Farmbot
– Dan Garrick, Founder and CEO, Helical
– John Hill, Co-Founder & Chief Storyteller, Land Watch Australia
– Chaired by Charlie Perry, Trent Bridge Wagyu
3:45PM CONFERENCE CLOSE
Dr Matt McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer, AWA
WAGYU INDUSTRY DINNER
Dress Code: Black Tie
Plaza Ballroom BCEC
Sponsored by LAWD
6:00PM Pre-dinner drinks and canapes
7:15PM Welcome Address
Jaclyn Hope, Senior Director LAWD, LAWD
8:00PM Honorary Life Member Inductee
The AWA Honorary Life Membership is the highest honour the AWA can bestow on a member and recognises years of dedication to the AWA and the Wagyu Industry.
9:30PM
Annual AWA Charity Auction
Raising money for the RFDS Queensland Division and the Wagyu Fellowship
See page 21 for more details.
CHARITY AUCTION CATALOGUE
Each year, the Australian Wagyu Association hosts a charity auction during our annual Wagyu Industry Dinner, dedicated to supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Wagyu Fellowship. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we have raised over $500,000 to date.
2026 CHARITY AUCTION ITEMS
Explore the full list of this year's featured items below:
LOT 1.
TWO TONE KANGAROO HIDE WHIP
By
The Australian Wagyu Association
A meticulously crafted piece from the Overseer Saddlery, a two-tone kangaroo hide whip. It represents the pinnacle of traditional whip-making, showcasing both craftsmanship and the natural beauty of kangaroo hide.
LOT 2.
‘STEELE’ CUSTOM HANDCRAFTED METAL SCULPTURE
By Clyde Park Collections
LOT 3.
TIMBER GRAZING BOARD & SAKAI TAKAYUKI ZANGETSU GINSAN SILVER STEEL JAPANESE CHEF’S KNIFE
By The Australian Wagyu Association
Experience the intersection of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and rustic elegance with this exclusive culinary duo. This package features a Sakai Takayuki Zangetsu Ginsan Silver Steel Japanese Chef’s Knife—a masterpiece hand-forged in Sakai that offers legendary
Steele captures the strength and elegance of the horse through form and finish.
Both the head and flowing mane were sculpted from the same material, with contrast achieved through variations in heat treatment and polishing.
CHARITY AUCTION CATALOGUE
LOT 4.
ZARABELLA BAMBLING COMMISSIONED ARTWORK
By Zarabella’s Art Gallery
Experience the fusion of fine art and industry prestige. Artist Zarabella Bambling will create a bespoke, Wagyu-inspired masterpiece live during the conference. Known for her captivating technique and celebrated portfolio, Zarabella offers the winning bidder a rare opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind work of art captured in the moment. A truly unmissable addition to any collection.
LOT 5.
WAGYU BRANDED BEEF COMPETITION PREMIUM BEEF SELECTION
By The Australian Wagyu Association
Indulge in a rare opportunity to taste the absolute pinnacle of Australian Wagyu. This curated selection brings the prestige of the 2026 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition directly to your table. This pack includes a pair of steaks from every single class champion of this year’s event.
CHARITY AUCTION CATALOGUE
LOT 6.
LAND WATCH ‘STATION MANAGER’ SYSTEM
By Land Watch Australia
The Land Watch ‘Station Manager’ is a testament to the Land Watch legacy of ‘keeping an eye on what’s important’. The system gives farmers a full visual of the most important areas of the property from wherever they are in the world. This little beauty can rotate a full 360 degrees and has an industry leading zoom allowing you to check a trough at 400m away.
LOT 7.
5HR DEEP SEA REEF & GAME FISHING CHARTER FOR 4
By The Australian Wagyu Association
Experience the best fishing between Tweed Heads and the northern Gold Coast with expert local crew, and access to premium offshore reefs. Whether you’re chasing Snapper, Kingfish, Marlin, or Mahi Mahi, our charters deliver the perfect mix of adventure, comfort, and big fish action.
LOT 8.
BECTIVE STATION EXPERIENCE – 2 NIGHT STAY FOR UP TO 10 PEOPLE
By Bective Station Wagyu
Two nights’ accommodation at the historic Bective Station for up 10 people. An afternoon fishing on the Peel River with refreshments provided, Optional farm tour, lawn activities and tennis included. Only redeemable from 1 May 2026 through to 30 August 2026.
TOUR PROGRAM
DAY 1
Saturday 18th April
Site Visits: Toro Wagyu and WiseRepro
Overnight in Stanthorpe
DAY 2
Sunday 19th April
Site Visits: Olive Grove Wagyu
Overnight in Dalby
DAY 3
Monday 20th April
Site Visits: Grassdale Feedlot and Arubial Wagyu
Overnight in Chinchilla
DAY 4
Tuesday 21st April
Site Visits: Australian Country Choice and Teys
Australia
Ready-to-use formulation
Ready to reduce dose wastage
Ready for feedlot demand
Many Australian feedlots request, and some mandate, on-farm pre-vaccination with Bovilis MH+IBR^ prior to feedlot entry.
At Agripro, we take a practical approach to agricultural insurance protecting Australia’s premier Wagyu breeding programs and the entire beef supply chain, f rom breeding and feedlots to processing and stockfeed
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
DR ROSS AINSWORTH | Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Buffalo Industry Council Inc.
DAY 1 | Session 2: The Big Picture: Risks and Realities
Dr. Ross Ainsworth is a distinguished veterinarian with 50 years of experience at the forefront of the Australian and Southeast Asian cattle industries. Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Ainsworth has become a leading authority on live export, biosecurity, and international livestock performance.
Currently serving as the CEO of the Northern Territory Buffalo Industry Council and an independent consultant, Dr. Ainsworth recently returned to Australia following over a decade based in Indonesia (2011–2023). During his time in Jakarta, Lampung, and Bali, he worked closely with exporters and importers to enhance the productivity of Australian feeder and breeder cattle. His work included a five-year tenure with the Red Meat Partnership’s cow/calf support project and his ongoing role as the author of the South-East Asian Beef Report for Beef Central.
Previously, Dr. Ainsworth spent over 30 years in the Northern Territory, where he held diverse roles ranging from private veterinary practice and station management to serving as the CEO of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association. He holds a veterinary degree and began his career with the Victorian Department of Agriculture.
DAY 1 | Session 2: The Big Picture: Risks and Realities
Dr Samantha Allan has been part of Animal Health Australia for over seven years, and CEO for the past two years. Dr Allan is a senior veterinarian and leader with extensive experience in managing complex biosecurity programs, and leading animal disease emergency preparedness and response activities across Australia. Prior to her roles at AHA, she worked in government veterinary roles as well as rural clinical practice in New South Wales, and South Yorkshire, England.
DR VINZENT BOERNER
| Founder, GHPC CONSULTING AND SERVICES PTY. LTD
DAY 1 | Session 1: Innovation in Action: AWA technical Highlights
Dr. Boerner holds a BSc in Agriculture, a MSc in Animals Science, and PhD in Quantitative Genetics. From 2011 till 2021, Dr. Boerner was working as a Researcher and Associate Professor at the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit(AGBU), University of New England(UNE), Armidale, Australia, where he was the sole designer and developer of the linear model analysis software backing the Australian Beef and Sheep genetic evaluation. He also authored numerous scientific publications and invented two algorithms for marker based parentage verification and breed composition estimation. From 2019 till 2023 Dr. Boerner also held an Associate Professor position at the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Denmark. In 2021 Dr. Boerner founded GHPC CONSULSTING AND SERVICES PTY. LTD. which supports various organisations in the area of genetic evaluation and high performance computing.
COOPER CARTER | Graduate Research Assistant, Texas Tech University
DAY 3 | Session 9: Next Gen Wagyu Innovators and Technology
Cooper Carter grew up on his family’s Shorthorn seedstock operation in Tumut, NSW, where he also established his own stud, Cooper Shorthorns. He attended Yanco Agricultural High School before moving to the United States in 2020 to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Texas Tech University. During his undergraduate studies, Cooper was a member of the meat, livestock and meat animal evaluation teams, worked in the university meat laboratory, and completed internships with JBS in plant operations and cattle procurement.
Cooper is currently completing a Master of Science in Animal Science at Texas Tech, with research focused on beef flavour and palatability. He is also conducting research alongside the Australian Wagyu Association, utilising 3D imaging technologies to reevaluate carcass conformation. In addition, he serves as Assistant Coach of the Texas Tech Meat Judging Team, contributing to recent team championships.
DR SAMANTHA ALLAN | CEO Animal Health Australia
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
SEBASTIAN CHRISTENSEN | Norlin Wagyu
DAY 3 | Session 8: Wagyu’s New Wave: Leaders and Legends
Sebastian Christiensen is a firstgeneration farmer based in Denmark who has built a Wagyu herd from the ground up. The operation was established entirely through embryo transfer, with three donor females sourced from Australia. He initially studied business at university in Copenhagen before transitioning into Wagyu production, an interest sparked through experiencing Wagyu beef as a consumer.
To develop the necessary technical and management expertise, Sebastian spent a year working at a fullblood Wagyu operation in Australia, gaining hands-on experience to operate at a professional level in Denmark. The herd commenced on 1 May 2021 with seven recipient heifers and has since expanded to 120 head, including 80 fullblood Wagyu, with the balance remaining in the recipient herd.
The business now processes approximately one animal per month, supplying premium Wagyu beef to multiple Michelinstarred restaurants, including a venue ranked in the top five of the *World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025
EDWIN COOKE | General Manager Livestock Northern, JBS Australia
DAY 1 | Session 3: Feeding the Future – changing face of wagyu feedlotting
Edwin has over 30 years of corporate sector experience with a strong background in meat processing, agricultural production and regional/rural business services. His organisational focus has been to build innovation and operational excellence. He currently holds directorships across organisations that deliver recruitment/ workforce management services, regional and metropolitan health services, animal health products, pharmaceuticals and business consulting services. For over two decades he has driven large scale recruitment and settlement projects of skilled and unskilled workers into Australian rural/regional businesses.
His current position with JBS as General Manager- Livestock Northern, oversees the procurement for five plants and five feedlots to meet the ever-demanding consumer requirement for both grain fed and grass fed specialty beef programs. Procuring cattle supply across all States and Territories to deliver just-in-time year-round operations for both domestic and export markets.
Edwin and his wife also manage a cattle/horticultural business in Central Queensland and continues to provide consulting services to some of today’s leading agricultural enterprises and investment funds. He has been an Honorary Council Steward (Beef Committee), for the Royal National Agricultural & Industries Assoc. of QLD and a member of the Ag Force Work, Health & Safety committee for several years.
He holds the follow degrees; BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE- RURAL MGT (HONOURS CLASS 1), University of Queensland; MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Business School; MASTER OF APPLIED FINANCE AND INVESTMENT, Financial Services Institute of Australia, FINSIA.”
GEOFF CORNFORD | Managing Director, Sandalwood Feedlot
DAY 1 | Session 3: Feeding the Future – changing face of wagyu feedlotting
Geoff Cornford has been involved in both the extensive and intensive sectors of the Australian beef industry for over 25 years.
He is currently employed as the Managing Director of Sandalwood, an Australian beef exporter owned by LOTTE Corporation, Korea.
Sandalwood operates a 18,000 head feedlot on the Darling Downs and exports Wagyu beef to over 16 countries.
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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
THE HON JULIE COLLINS | Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
DAY 1 | Session 2: The Big Picture: Risks and Realities
Julie Collins was elected as the first female representative for Franklin in 2007.
Julie entered politics because she deeply believes quality education, decent health services and fairness in the workplace should be available to everyone.
Throughout her career in politics, Julie has worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of others.
Julie is the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Albanese Labor Government.
Julie lives on Hobart’s Eastern Shore with her husband Ian and has three children.
MATT DALGLIESH | Director, Episode3.net
DAY 2 | Session 4: Market Dynamics and Wagyu
Matt is a director of Episode 3 and cocreator of the Agwatchers podcast. A graduate of Economics and Education Matt has had a keen interest in markets of all sorts from an early age. Matt has spent decades being involved in commodity and financial markets, including time spent trading equities, metals and foreign exchange.
Making the transition into agricultural market analysis in 2015 was an exciting opportunity, enabling Matt to use his data analysis and forecasting skills to provide commentary and strategic advice to the food manufacturing sector and the agricultural industry.
Matt has been an owner of a commercial pig farm near Bendigo and continues to operate a hobby farm on the outskirts of Ballarat. Matt has become a prominent agricultural market analyst, often quoted in the agricultural press and sought after for his independent, data driven assessment of commodity markets.
DAY 3 | Session 9: Next Gen Wagyu Innovators and Technology
Davide Defendi is a seasoned CTO, entrepreneur, and technology leader based in Sydney, Australia, with over 20 years of experience building and scaling businesses across IT, marketing, supply chain, SaaS, IoT, algorithmic trading, and compliance-focused sectors.
He has launched and grown more than six startups, with three going public, including Wine Depot (Digital Wine Ventures), which he helped scale from a $10M to over $250M market cap through strategic technology vision, innovation, and active merger/acquisition strategies that consolidated operations to around 150 staff.
His expertise extends to high-growth environments, where he has driven triple-digit annual revenue increases and quadrupled team sizes. He advises on sustainable scaling, warning against premature growth and advocating for foundational stability before expansion, often highlighting the art of scaling service-based businesses while managing processes, hires, and systems. He also stresses the importance of mindset evolution in high-growth phases, shifting from tactical decision-making to strategic leadership to handle increasing complexity.
In compliance and regulatory domains, Defendi has deep experience mitigating risks in cybersecurity, data security, governance, and environmental disposal, including navigating ASX regulatory requirements through board roles and executive positions in listed companies.
DAVIDE DEFENDI | Chief Technology Officer, Farmbot
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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
JOHN DOYLE | Managing Director & Consulting
Nutritionist, Integrated Animal Production
DAY 2 | Session 6: Reproduction and Nutrition advances in Wagyu
John is the Managing Director of Integrated Animal Production Pty Ltd which he founded in December 1997. The business provides consultancy services to beef, dairy and swine industries within Australia as well as South Africa, Indonesia, the USA and Argentina. John’s primary focus is within the feedlot industry.
He began working on large-scale genetic evaluations in 2017, developing the BOLT software that powers some of the world’s largest international beef cattle evaluations, including those run by International Genetic Solutions and the American Hereford Association.
Through that work Dan saw an industry need for more agile data infrastructure capable of supporting modern genomic pipelines and real-time prediction. Helical was developed in 2021 to meet that need and has since grown to support breed societies and livestock organisations across more than 40 countries.
John was raised in San Antonio, Texas, USA and following undergraduate studies in Biology (Texas Lutheran College), completed a Masters in Nutrition (University of Arizona) and, after several years within the industry, he returned to complete veterinarian studies (Tuskegee Institute, School of Veterinarian Medicine, Tuskegee, AL). While practicing veterinary medicine he obtained his PhD in Nutrition in 1989 (Texas A & M University). After broad experiences in feedmill management, nutritional consultancy and as a practicing Veterinarian in the USA, John moved to Australia in 1993.
Aside from consultancy John has a keen interest in research and education. He has served as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Queensland School of Veterinary Medicine (2002) and contributes to the University of Queensland’s School of Animal Science with an animal industry lecture series.
Although he is a permanent resident of Australia he maintains his involvement in the family goat and beef ranch in Texas.
DANIEL GARRICK | Founder and CEO,
Helical
DAY 1 | Session 1: Innovation in Action: AWA technical Highlights
Dan Garrick is the founder of Helical, a genomic data platform developed in Rotorua, New Zealand. With a background in farming and a PhD in aerospace engineering, Dan recognised early that the mathematical methods used in genetic evaluation share strong parallels with those used in aerospace modelling.
Dan is passionate about applying systems-level thinking across the livestock value chain and shortening the pathway from cutting-edge research to practical tools used by breeders and producers.
SID GOUTAM | Head of Technology Strategy Animal Management, Gallagher
DAY 3 | Session 9: Next Gen Wagyu Innovators and Technology
Sid Goutam is the Head of Technology Strategy for Gallagher Animal Management, one of the world’s leading agritech companies. He leads technology and platform strategy across product, design, engineering, and data for Gallagher’s future of farm operating system, bringing together virtual fencing, satellite pasture intelligence, and in-paddock sensing technologies into a single integrated system that delivers insights and automation to livestock producers.
Sid played a central role in developing eShepherd from an early-stage prototype into a commercially deployed virtual fencing product and is now leading AI adoption across Gallagher’s animal management business, both as an internal capability accelerator and as a source of direct customer value. His focus is on helping farmers make better decisions faster by turning the rich data generated by connected devices into practical, real-time intelligence.
With over a decade at Gallagher spanning electronics engineering through to technology strategy, Sid brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and farmer-first product thinking to the conversation around AI in premium beef production.
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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
JOHN HILL | Co-Founder & Chief Storyteller, Land Watch Australia
DAY 3 | Session 9: Next Gen Wagyu Innovators and Technology
John Hill is the Co-Founder and Chief Storyteller of Land Watch Australia, the leading on-farm security monitoring product. Based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, John and his brothers lead the Land Watch team in delivering purpose-built camera systems to rural Australia.
John is deeply passionate about all aspects of agriculture and the innovative use of technology on farms. He is particularly focused on how these advancements can enhance safety and efficiency for producers. Motivated by a desire to share his insights on crime prevention, John provides a unique perspective from his position at the forefront of on-farm security.
As head of the sales and marketing team at Land Watch, John has one clear objective: to educate rural Australia on how to protect what matters most. His leadership and vision have led Land Watch to become the market leader in the category and the trusted name in rural security solutions.
JOSEPH KERIN | Operations Manager and Stud Master, Kerin Wagyu
DAY 3 | Session 8: Wagyu’s
New Wave: Leaders and Legends
Joe is the Operations Manager and Studmaster for Kerin Agriculture, overseeing the strategic management and day-to-day operations of the business’s three core enterprises: Kerin Poll Merino, Kerin Wagyu, and livestock trading. In this role, he is responsible for driving performance across breeding programs, herd and flock management, commercial trading activities, and the implementation of systems that support productivity, genetic progress, and long-term profitability.
Joe’s passion lies in breeding modern Wagyu stud cattle and unlocking their potential to efficiently convert grass into a premium, highly valued product. He is deeply focused on genetic improvement, data-driven decision making, and building cattle that meet the evolving demands of
both domestic and international markets. Through careful selection, performance recording, and collaboration with clients and industry partners, Joe works to deliver genetics that enhance profitability and sustainability for his family’s business and the broader Wagyu industry.
Growing up in agriculture and now working across multiple livestock enterprises, Joe brings a practical, commercially focused approach to breeding and operations. He is driven by the challenge of balancing genetic excellence with real-world production systems, and is committed to helping clients achieve stronger on-farm outcomes through superior genetics, sound management, and transparent communication.
HARRISON KEMP | Operations Manager, Lotus Park Ag & Director, King River Ag
DAY 3 | Session 8: Wagyu’s New Wave: Leaders and Legends
Harrison Kemp (Harry) is a thirdgeneration Queensland grazier and is the operations manager for his families breeding, backgrounding, and finishing operation of premium cattle in Central Queensland. In recent years Harry has been a Director of King River Ag a joint venture between the Kemp and Rich families. Harry is very passionate about vertically integrated “conception to consumption” model. His expertise spans the entire lifecycle from science-backed breeding and backgrounding to precise feedlot finishing. Harry and the King River team now market their awardwinning beef to high-end restaurants and wholesalers in over 40 countries. Delivering the buttery, marbled excellence of Australian Wagyu to dining tables across the globe.
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
JESSIE MACQUEEN | President, WagYouth
DAY 3 | Session 9: Next Gen Wagyu Innovators and Technology
Jessie Macqueen works on her family’s cattle property in Millmerran, Queensland, where she is actively involved in breeding F1 Angus x Wagyu cattle. Growing up and working within the Wagyu industry, Jessie developed a strong passion for cattle genetics, production systems, and the longterm growth of the Australian Wagyu sector. Alongside her work on the family operation, she is the President and Co-Founder of Wagyouth, a young Wagyu breeders network established in 2024.
Wagyouth was created to connect and support the next generation of Wagyu producers aged 18–35. The organisation focuses on developing young breeders through opportunities to learn in the areas of business, leadership, and production logistics. As President, Jessie helps guide the group’s vision while creating opportunities for members to collaborate, learn from industry leaders, and build strong professional networks.
Jessie is passionate about strengthening the future of the Wagyu industry and empowering young producers to lead the next generation of beef production.
HAMISH MCINTYRE | President, National Farmers’ Federation and Managing Director, McIntyre Agriculture
DAY 2 | Session 5: Wagyu’s International Trade environment
Hamish McIntyre is Managing Director of McIntyre Agriculture, a family-owned agribusiness operating across 236,000ha in Queensland. The enterprise integrates irrigated and dryland cropping, livestock breeding and feedlot operations, as well as a recent move into broiler chicken meat business. McIntyre Agriculture produces cotton alongside a range of grain, pulse and forage crops, complemented by Angus and Wagyu cattle, sheep, and rangeland goats.
Hamish was elected as President of the National Farmers’ Federation in October 2025 after serving as a NFF Director since 2023.
Hamish began his career as an agronomist before managing cotton and irrigation developments, later consulting for corporate agriculture investors. He trained at the University of Queensland and UNE and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. A former Cotton Australia Chair and Better Cotton board member, he currently holds board roles with the Australian Wagyu Association and Agsafe. He actively advocates and promotes Australian food and fibre both domestically and internationally.
DAY 3 | Session 7: Wagyu on the Rise: Expansion in the North and South
Tom & Belinda McLeish entered the Wagyu industry in 2012 as F1 producers on a supply chain agreement with AACo. Through solid relationships & the long-term view of the Wagyu Industry we developed our breeding & backgrounding enterprise over the last 14 years into a QLD based Purebred, F2 & F3 supply chain that we call Diamond Cattle Co. We very much enjoy being part of the Wagyu World & the terrific businesses that we partner with. It has been a 14-year roller coaster ride for us that we are happy to share as we genuinely believe we have a beautiful product to market to the world!
1 | Session 3: Feeding the Future – changing face of
Charlie has in excess of 25 years’ experience in the Feedlot Services Industry. Prior to establishing Mort & Co in 1997, he was the Queensland Feedlot Services Manager for Primac. Charlie established Mort & Co to address processors’ growing demand for a regular and consistent supply of competitively priced, quality lot fed beef cattle. His early identification of this need positioned the business at the forefront of a growing industry and has resulted in solid growth.
Furthermore, the alliances Charlie formed with processors, producers and lot feeders saw Mort & Co grow from an annual managed turnover of approximately $1.7 million in 1998, to in excess of $400 million twenty-two years later.
TOM MCLEISH | Director, Diamond Cattle Co
CHARLIE MORT | Executive Chairman, Director, Mort & Co
DAY
wagyu feedlotting
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
CHARLIE PERRY | Trent Bridge Wagyu
DAY 3 | Session 7: Wagyu on the Rise: Expansion in the North and South
Charlie Perry leads his family-owned business, Trent Bridge Wagyu, based in the New England region of NSW, where he farms alongside his parents, Wal and Jen, and his wife, Georgia. Trent Bridge Wagyu operates both seedstock and F1 production systems and has been selling Wagyu bulls since 2006.
After marketing bulls via private treaty for more than 15 years, the business held its first onproperty bull sale in 2023, selling 150 bulls.
Prior to returning to the family enterprise in 2015, Charlie spent eight years in management consulting, working on large-scale infrastructure advisory projects. He also served six years on the board of the Australian Wagyu Association, including three years as president.
SIMON QUILTY | Global Meat Trade and analyst, MLX & Global Agri Trends
DAY 2 | Session 4: Market Dynamics and Wagyu
Simon Quilty is a global meat trader working in the global protein space spans nearly three decades of traveling the global protein world in capacities as a trader. Simon’s experience includes positions with Louis Dreyfus, ConAgra, DR Johnston and FC Stone.
Today, he is an independent meat and livestock analyst and also brokers swaps on behalf of large financial institutions in Australia and brokers physical meat products around the world working exclusively for a large international companies with interests across the global protein spectrum.
MS CATHERINE RAPER | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
DAY 2 | Session 5: Wagyu’s International Trade environment
First Assistant Secretary and Australia’s Chief Negotiator Office of Global Trade Negotiations & AU-EU FTA, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
Catherine Raper is First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Global Trade Negotiations at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, responsible for World Trade Organization (WTO), OECD and G20 Foreign and Trade Ministers processes. She is also Australia’s Chief Negotiator for the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
Previously she was Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (2021-24) and Head of Post (Representative) at the Australian Office in Taipei (2014-17).
Earlier she served at the Australian Embassies in Washington and The Hague and at the Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva.
JOSHUA RICH | General Manager, King River Ag
DAY 3 | Session 8: Wagyu’s New Wave: Leaders and Legends
Josh Rich is General Manager of King River, bringing a practical understanding of cattle production and full carcass utilisation to the company’s strategic direction. Raised on the family’s cattle operation, he developed a strong respect for the livestock and the work behind every animal.
Combining hands-on agricultural experience with a background in agribusiness and international business, Josh focuses on ensuring King River honours its production foundations while building sustainable pathways to market. His leadership supports the continued growth of King River as a premium Australian Wagyu producer, grounded in integrity, long-term thinking, and respect for the supply chain.
