Using hair cards correctly

The office has received several samples in haircards that have been incorrectly placed. Here are a few tips to ensure that proper hair samples are taken. As well as reducing the risk of contamination:

  • Pull the hair out of the tail in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
  • Ensure that the sample size is at least the thickness of a pencil.
  • Stick the roots of the hair to the glued side of the haircard. Cut off the excess hair from the haircard.
  • Avoid touching the roots of the hair.
  • Don’t put the sample directly on any surface.
  • Immediately stick the sample to the haircard.
  • Include the animal ID and RFID on the haircard.
  • Properly close the haircard after inserting the sample.
  • Do not work with multiple samples at the same time.

View the video on using hair cards on the Wagyu YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU-qqtdF6w8

Nampo 2023

The Wagyu Society will once again be seen at Nampo 2023 from 16-19 May. The popular Wagyu Burger will be on the menu again. During Nampo 2022 there were over 5000 Wagyu Burgers sold. This year our Gold Sponsors will also be selling Wagyu biltong & droëwors, which is sure to be a hit.

Due to the current unresolved status of FMD, no Wagyu animals will be seen at Nampo this year. The Society is also selling out the clothing stock in the office. Contact the office to enquire what is available beforehand and pick it up at the Wagyu House during the Nampo week.

We look forward to meeting you there!

Breeding Tools 101: What are EBV’s?

The Breed Improvement & Product Support Committees have put together an easy-to-understand manual for members. This is the first in a series of manuals to be released throughout the following months. Breeding Tools 101 illustrates what exactly contributes to creating EBVs. This helpful tool will guide you to not only understand EBVs but also how to use EBVs in your herd.

You can download the manual from the Wagyu website by following the link https://wagyu.org.za/manuals-breedplan/

Breeding Tools 101: What are EBV’s?

The Breed Improvement & Product Support Committees have put together an easy-to-understand manual for members. This is the first in a series of manuals to be released throughout the following months. Breeding Tools 101 illustrates what exactly contributes to creating EBVs. This helpful tool will guide you to not only understand EBVs but also how to use EBVs in your herd.

You can download the manual from the Wagyu website by following the link https://wagyu.org.za/manuals-breedplan/

The Wagyu Seminar 2023 – The current status of LITS SA

The fourth Wagyu Seminar 2023 was scheduled on the 14th of April 2023 @ 11h00. Willie Clack gave an overview of the LITS SA system. Establishing traceability in South Africa is part of the 2030 Red Meat Industry plan. The system currently allows farmers to voluntarily register and give feedback on the system. Follow the link to register on the system https://lits.csir.co.za/Account/UserRegistration.

Don’t miss out on our next Wagyu Seminar scheduled for the 12th of May 2023 @ 11h00. All members, family, and staff are invited to attend the seminar, as attendance is free. Register at office@wagyu.org.za.

Follow our YouTube channel where we post videos about everything Wagyu in South Africa.

Commencement of CPG Audits 2023

CPG will commence with the annual audits for 2023 starting in March. Last year the audits were carried out online due to FMD. However, this year audits will be carried out on-site. Please take note of the following:

  • All CWB members are to be audited annually.
  • Action taken to correct findings from previous audits must be shown. Send an email to tumisang@wagyu.org.za if you have not received your previous audit report.
  • An audit can only be postponed once.
  • To decrease the travel cost of the auditor, audits are scheduled on route. If an audit was postponed the member will be solely responsible for the travel cost of the auditor.
  • The office will send out the scheduled audit dates via email.
  • The CPG auditor will contact the member to confirm the time of the audit by latest a week before the audit is to take place.

Members who do not show up for their scheduled audit automatically fail the audit. A subsequent audit will be scheduled, and both the failed and subsequent audits will be billed to the member. To prevent a failed audit due to lack of attendance, contact the CWB office as soon as possible:

  • Check when your audit is scheduled and set a reminder for yourself.
  • Notify CWB immediately if your contact details or the contact person have changed.
  • Notify CWB in writing if you are unable to attend the audit for any reason. The notice must be given at least 2 weeks before the audit is scheduled to take place. Note that the audit can only be moved once.
  • Notify CWB if the auditor has not contacted you at least one week in advance telephonically or via email to confirm the date and time of the scheduled audit.
  • Familiarize yourself with the criteria of CWB that apply to your business. The CWB audit booklet can be downloaded at https://wagyu.org.za/manuals-breedplan/
  • If you are unsure about any of the requirements you can contact CWB directly or schedule a farm visit before the audit. To schedule a farm audit please send an email to tumisang@wagyu.org.za.
  • Notify CWB immediately on the day of the audit if the auditor has not contacted you and failed to carry out the audit, to avoid being billed for a failed audit due to lack of attendance.

Compliance with the CWB protocol, as well as the successful completion of the audit, remains the responsibility of all CWB members. The office is available to assist with any enquiries. As well as making farm visits before the start of the audit. Contact Tumi in the office by email at tumisang@wagyu.org.za or by phone at +27514921852. The auditors (CPG) can also be contacted by email at elizra@ltlgroup.global or auditor16@ltlgroup.global and by phone at +27 10 010 0685 or +27 76 145 9149.