Glenn Calder is using Wandilla Holstein cows joined with Wagyu and Akaushi semen to produce cross-bred calves that grow out with high marbling carcases.
There is a value-added part to the calf rearing enterprise at Wandilla Holsteins, in Leongatha North.
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Wagyu and red Akaushi genetics are used in 10 and sometimes up to 20 per cent of the Holstein herd, to breed meat for butcher shops owned by Glen Calder.
Like the Wagyu genetics, the Akaushi cattle were bred in Japan to grow an animal with high marbling meat.
Glenn imports the Akaushi semen from Japan and uses it in Holstein cows from the Wandilla herd and Wagyu cows from his own beef herd.
In 2024, Glenn bought butcher shops in Inverloch (South Gippsland) and Balnarring (Mornington Peninsular) and invested in a providore in Prahran, Melbourne.
“Our target aim is to use all surplus calves, converting them to meat,” he said.
He began by steadily building up the supply and demand for Wagyu-bred meat in the butcher shop, before bringing red Akaushi genetics into the cross-breeding program.
The first Akaushi-Holstein calves were on the ground at Wandilla Holsteins dairy farm in spring 2024.
Glenn said he was using another farm, at Inverloch, to raise 60 full-blood Wagyu cows, bred from imported genetics. These would be used to breed more full-blood Wagyu and F1 cattle.
Wandilla Gippsland branded burgers and sausages.
The cross-bred high marbling meat enterprise is part of a paddock-to-plate experience under the banner of Wandilla Gippsland and Viridian Financial Group.
Wandilla Gippsland-branded outlets champion the best meat, wine, dairy, horticulture and other food products from Gippsland.
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