Beyond the Marbling

Dubbed the Godfather of genetic advancement in Australian beef, Dr. Ced Wise joins Lyndsey Douglas on Beyond the Marbling for a deep dive into the revolutionary world of reproductive technologies in Wagyu.

From his early days studying embryo transfer at Colorado State University to founding Wise Repro—now a nationwide leader in cattle genetics—Ced shares his journey, the evolution of ET, AI, and IVF, and how these technologies are driving real on-farm results across Australia and beyond.

In this final episode of Season 1 of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas chats with Andrew Hallas and Dr. Matt Petersen from Zoetis about their important collaboration with the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) to support DNA testing and the Progeny Test Program (PTP).

Andrew and Matt highlight that reproductive health is fundamental to successful Wagyu production. Threats like Pesty Virus can impact herd fertility and calf survival, which in turn jeopardizes the accuracy and progress of genetic improvement efforts.

This partnership between Zoetis and the AWA underscores how vital comprehensive animal health management is to advancing Wagyu breeding. By protecting reproductive performance, the PTP is able to provide breeders with dependable, cutting-edge genetic insights that fuel the ongoing growth and global success of Australian Wagyu.

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas travels to Victoria’s High Country to meet Ben Blackmore, CEO of Blackmore Wagyu. The Blackmore family imported over 80% of Australia’s foundational Wagyu genetics, laying the foundation for today’s world-class fullblood Wagyu.

Ben shares the legacy of his father, David Blackmore—Wagyu Hall of Fame inductee and Order of Australia recipient—and reveals how their unique feeding system, DNA traceability, and brand integrity have made Blackmore Wagyu a favourite of top chefs, from the Oscars to The French Laundry.

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, we journey to the heart of Australia’s Channel Country to explore how the Hughes family built a world-class Wagyu operation in one of Australia's most extreme environments. From navigating droughts and floods to building global supply chains, discover how the Hughes family's vision, resilience, and strategic partnerships turned isolation into international opportunity.

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas delves into the cutting edge of reproductive technology shaping the Wagyu industry. She’s joined by Brazilian IVF specialist Dr Bruno Sanchez of Vytelle, Queensland producer Laird Morgan of Arubial Wagyu and Lillyvale Feedlot, and NSW seedstock breeder Jeremy Cooper of Circle 8 Fullblood Wagyu. Together, they unpack the evolving role of frozen embryos, how IVF is helping producers rapidly scale their herds, and the three critical pillars of a successful embryo transfer program. Whether you're refining a genetics strategy or just IVF-curious, this episode offers insights for every Wagyu producer.

You asked for it—and now it’s here. In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, we head to North Queensland to spotlight a Wagyu production system making serious waves.

Host Lyndsey Douglas sits down with Harry Kemp of King River Wagyu, one of the nation’s youngest vertically integrated supply chains and a 2024 QLD Premier’s Export Awards recipient.

From natural mating across expansive northern paddocks to full-animal utilisation and innovative feedlot strategies, Harry shares how King River is redefining sustainability, genetics, and value in Wagyu production. This is Meat with a Meaning.

Just days before Trump’s latest tariff announcement, Beyond the Marbling sits down with leading agricultural analysts Matt Dalgleish and Simon Quilty to unpack what shifting global dynamics could mean for Wagyu. With WagyuEdge25 on the horizon, this timely conversation dives deep into market dynamics, trade tensions, pricing trends, and the outcomes of recent climatic events. Ground beef is booming, premium cuts are under pressure, and global uncertainty is heating up. Don’t miss this sharp, data-driven episode hosted by Lyndsey Douglas, a teaser to the Market Dynamics session on Thursday 10th April at WagyuEdge25'. 

This episode dives into the potential of genomics, genetic engineering, and genome editing in cattle breeding, exploring how these innovations could revolutionise the industry. From hornless Wagyu to disease resistance and sex ratio alterations—biotechnology offers powerful tools to enhance genetics while preserving Wagyu’s prized traits. However, policy, regulation, and public perception may ultimately determine how widely these advancements are adopted. What does the future hold for Wagyu and the beef industry? Tune in to find out!

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas sits down with Garry Edwards, Managing Director of AAM Investment Group, to discuss their impressive expansion into Wagyu cattle. With nearly a billion dollars in agricultural assets, AAM’s unique approach to livestock management includes a focus on genetics, including a significant investment in full-blood Wagyu cattle at Bective Station. Garry discusses how AAM’s innovative strategies are shaping both Australian and global markets, highlighting the rising demand for premium beef in South-East Asia. Tune in to discover how this billion-dollar company is changing the game in agriculture and cattle breeding.

In this episode, we sit down with Alex and Keith Hammond, owners of a picturesque Wagyu breeding operation between Robbins Island and Walker Island, Tasmania. They share a multigenerational perspective on the evolution of the Wagyu industry, reflecting on how breeding practices have advanced over time and the challenges of making progressive business decisions within a family-run operation that spans generations. They discuss the role of global collaboration in driving the success of Robbins Island Wagyu, as well as the invaluable insights gained from Keith’s tenure on the Australian Wagyu Association board. Looking ahead, they emphasise the importance of strong leadership in shaping the future of Wagyu breeding, ensuring the development of a resilient and high-quality breed for generations to come.