A WAGYU heifer raised at Mayura Station has fetched an all-breeds sale record of $280,000 at an auction over the weekend, with the US-based buyers praising the “premier operations” at the South East site.
The record-breaking sale topped a weekend of gold for the internationally renowned Wagyu producer, with the property’s signature series beef winning a grand champion accolade at the Australian Wagyu Association annual conference.
According to the 2019 Elite Wagyu National Site animal listing, the 20-month-old heifer is a combination of industry leading sires and her pedigree includes the mighty Itoshigenami JNR as the sire.
The JNR has more than 800 carcasses and consistently grades 9+ for marbling.
The heifer was purchased by a partnership led by buyer Brian Stamps of Oklahoma’s G$ Ranch, Heritage Wagyu’s Dustin Bright and Y2 Wagyu’s Joshua Yarbrough.
“We have had our eyes positioned on the carcass data coming out of Australia for years now and one of the premier Wagyu operations consistently proving their merit with results on the hook is Mayura Station,” Mr Yarbrough said.
“Mayura genetics have helped to shape the direction of the Australian Wagyu herd and beyond due to their product consistency and carcass ability.”
Mr Yarbrough said the purchase was a calculated step to bring proven and elite genetic influence to our herds from a global leader in the Wagyu industry.
“The Wagyu breed is poised to obtain ever increasing global marketshare in the coming years, however, one of the key points of emphasis to this coming to fruition is data collection.
“Mayura Station in tandem with many breeders throughout the Australian Wagyu Association and the association itself have been trend setting in data collection and, as a result, we have seen record breaking results when the gavel rang at the National Elite Sale.”
Mr Yarbrough said the group, which also includes Grassland Wagyu, were proud to be part of a record breaking event.
Mayura Station managing director Scott de Bruin said while there was discussion the heifer could fetch a high price, he had no idea it would set an Australian record.
“The sale was a bit of a blur, but it was amazing,” he said.
“There was certainly talk the heifer would be sought after, but that price was far beyond my expectation.
“We are focused on continuing improvements in our herd and I think that shows, as people see our beef as very high quality.”
It follows success for Mayura Station at the equivalent sale a year ago when it achieved a record price for a poll Wagyu bull.
As part of the conference, Mayura Station was also named as the Grand Champion in Wagyu branded meat for its Signature series.
The signature beef scored 821 out of a possible 910 to win gold in the hotly-contested field.
“I was really humbled by the score,” Mr de Bruin said.
“The Wagyu breed is the highest quality in Austalia and to be judged against all your peers and be selected as the winner is a big coup.”
