Founding Members
Belltree Australia Pty Ltd
AWA Identifier: YAM
Objectives
Belltree Australia Pty Ltd was established to supply high quality Wagyu seed stock and feeder cattle to the Australian market at competitive prices. The operation aims to harmonise traditional Japanese breeding methods in the Australian environment, and create outstanding ‘next generation’ Wagyu genetics for global markets.
Beginnings
In 2006, Belltree Australia commenced operations on 360 acre ‘Yamboon Park’, situated the beautiful Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains, NSW, where a Wagyu stud had been under development by a Japanese professional, since 2000. The initial Belltree focus was on the application of Westholme genetics, working with Wagyu females of Kikuyasu 400 and Fukutsuru 068 lineage, and full blood Wagyu sons of ETJ003 and ETJ005. Forty Angus females of proven high marbling bloodlines provided quality F1 progeny for testing at major feedlots.
Operations
In 2006, commercial operations consisted of F1 feeder cattle consigned to AACo and private treaty bull sales.
Also in 2006, Belltree partnered with Japanese company Echigo Farm, agisting the Echigo Wagyu herd at Yamboon Park and formulating a collaborative program for breeding development. . Echigo Farm owns nine full blood bulls, two cows and nine young females.
The ongoing Belltree breeding program targets premium quality full blood feeder and seed stock markets, using unique experience in analysis of Australian Wagyu progeny data in combination with traditional Wagyu breeding techniques. In 2007, this program was rolled out with embryo transfer programs using Echigo embryos produced at Westholme, Tarana and fresh embryos produced at Yamboon Park.
Principals
Belltree Australia is a family operation, managed by principals Takao (Tak) Suzuki and Yuko Suzuki.
Takao and Yuko immigrated to Australia in 1991, prior to which Tak spent years employed in Wagyu feedlots in Japan. In Australia, he was initially employed as a pen rider at Rangers Valley, Glen Innes, completing the Certificate in Agriculture (Feedlot Management) at the University of New England, NSW in 2001.
As Rangers Valley moved into Wagyu production, Tak moved into data analysis at the feedlot, managing Wagyu feeder performance databases to help optimize feedlot production and provide feedback to producers. He has also worked with many prominent Japanese Wagyu producers, including Mr. Takeda, to help inform Australian production.
Link to Top >
Ginjo Pastoral Co
AWA Prefix: GIN
Picture: Tea Gardens hinterland, NSW
Objectives
Ginjo was a ‘blue sky startup’ with the goal of premium value fullblood feeder production. . The seedstock market was seen as a peripheral opportunity for outstanding progeny.
Picture: Wingara homestead, Tea Gardens
Beginnings
Eight fullblood embryos were purchased in 1998, mainly Tajima sire bloodlines with Kikuyasu 400 dominant. Five adult females were purchased in 2000, including two descendants of the exceptional Myazaki prefecture cow, Yuriko, whose lineage now continues through over 45 Ginjo females. Itozakura strength in many pedigrees ensured good foundation frame scores. The herd was established through a lengthy succession of embryo transfer programs using AA recipients.
Picture: Approaching Ginjo yards, Gloucester, NSW
Operations
From 2001, feeder production was consigned to ICM Peechelba Feedlot, Victoria, to be fed and slaughtered within David Blackmore’s programs, and with excellent final results. With escalating output and custom feed costs, feeders were diverted to AACo Aronui at Dalby, Qld, with continuing strong results.
Limited bull sales commenced in 2005; with selection focused in gene marker testing and physical assessment. In 2007, selection was refocused on physical assessment and the Japanese 16/16 system.
The Ginjo fullblood female herd is near 150, with a potential size of 200, grazing about 450ha of farmland near Gloucester and Tea Gardens, NSW.
Principals
Ginjo is a family operation, staffed solely by principals Mike and Maggie Buchanan.
Mike completed the Certificate in Agriculture (Feedlot Management) at the University of New England (UNE), NSW in 2003, continuing animal science, agronomy and agribusiness marketing studies until 2006. A former director of the National Assn for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) he has a keen interest in rural niche opportunities and is a continuing post graduate rural science student at UNE. .
Raised on a smallholding outside Christchurch, NZ, he originally qualified in journalism, adding marketing qualifications before founding and directing a successful national media management and marketing consultancy in Sydney from 1985-2001. ‘Wingara’, near Tea Gardens, was purchased in 1991, and subsequently became the Ginjo ET centre.
Link to Top > |