The Rural Voice, 2004-09, Page 177
Testing 100 animals each of four
different breeds, the company found
Wagyus had 39 two -star animals
compared to 24 for red Angus, 11 for
Angus and zero for Brahman. Wagyu
had 51 one -star animals compared to
50 for red Angus, 43 for Angus and
five for Brahman. Only 10 Wagyus
earned a zero -star rating compared to
26 for red Angus, 45 for Angus and a
whopping 95 for Brahman.
Another trait that makes
crossbreeding attractive is the ease of
calving. Using a Wagyu bull on
heifers generally gives them an easier
first birth, Kuntz says.
One of Wagyus' qualities is a
surprising one for a breed
kept mostly indoors in a mild
climate like Japan's — hardiness.
Kuntz says one of his surprises, when
he was keeping some Wagyu along
with traditional North American
breeds, was that on winter days when
he went to the barn he'd often find
the Wagyus outside while the other
breeds stayed in the barn.
While they can adapt to sub -zero
cold, they can also thrive in desert -
like heat.
Kuntz can also vouch for another
of the supposed virtues of the breed:
a gentle disposition. The cattle are
easy to deal with, he says.
Kuntz is no longer alone in
breeding Wagyus in Ontario with
about six breeders in total, four of
whom breed purebreds.
With his prime market in Japan
blocked, Kuntz is like every other
beef producer in seeking a profitable
place to sell his cattle. He's managed
to sell some beef into high-end
Toronto markets but just a fraction of
what he produces.
He also sells some freezer beef
but most Canadians aren't likely to
pay a high premium even for the
quality of the Wagyu beef. To show
off the difference in his beef, he has
steaks shrink-wrapped so the
marbling shows clearly through the
package. Those who try it can testify
that the marbling does pay off in' a
super -tender beef.
So as with other beef producers,
Kuntz must play a waiting game
hoping for a lifting of import
restrictions in his prime market —
proof that even if you have a better
product the world won't necessarily
beat a path to your door.0
HIIRON/1IEL
INIEIITIIIN
L IMI TE
PAT & HEATHER DEJONG
Ph: 519-482-7971
1-800-320-0666
Web: huronfuelinjection.corn
Highway #4 South • CLINTON
"FUEL INJECTION
SPECIALISTS"
Diesel Fuel
Pumps & Injectors
Gasoline Injectors
Turbo Chargers
Starters &
Alternators
SOLAR
POWER
SYSTEMS
"Energize by the hour
with solar power"
SERVICES: We design solar and wind to provide...
We are a business which has
provided alternative energy
products and services since 1989.
Our main focus is on helping
people meet their electrical needs
with solar and wind power.
• Livestock Water Pumping
• Remote Homes
• Cottages
• Recreational
Vehicles
• Plug & Play
Tag -a -long System
RV Solar
Cottage Systems
A portable system in a tote that can be taken virtually anywhere you require
A/C or D/C power. Solar panels can be mounted on your RV, cottage or
separate mount to give you power for your electrical needs.
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Come visit our store & office at R.R. #4
ROCKFORD PLAZA
Hwy. #6 & 10 - South of Owen Sound, ON
(51 9) 372-6555
Email: info@solarpowersystems.ca
www.so1arpowersystems.ca
SEPTEMBER 2004 13