Welcome back to The American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Gale Mckinney, he's the owner of The American Cattlemen and he sits down with Jerry Cassady the Executive Director of The American Wagyu Association. 

Jerry and his wife Ellen both have deep roots in seed stock beef cattle operations. They will then get into the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the American Wagyu Association. Jerry highlights the “Take Back Prime” initiative, a campaign designed to ensure Wagyu producers are properly rewarded for their premium genetics and to promote the value of Wagyu beef within the industry. He explains the importance of the Authentic Wagyu Program, which assures consumers and restaurant owners of the quality and authenticity of Wagyu beef, protecting the breed’s reputation and providing confidence in the product. Jerry also discusses the association’s new progeny test program, developed in partnership with AgriBeef, which aims to improve data reliability and selection accuracy for Wagyu genetics. They then discuss, the launch of the American Wagyu Heritage Fund, a nonprofit supporting youth, education, research, and preservation of historical information. The inaugural Youth Leadership Camp, held at West Texas A&M University, was a notable success and will continue next year at Colorado State University. Operational improvements within the association, such as streamlined member services and enhanced educational resources, are also covered. The conference itself promises a robust lineup of educational sessions, expert speakers, and engaging events like the Best Wagyu Steak in America contest and a signature genetics auction. Jerry concludes by expressing optimism about the future of the beef industry and the unique role Wagyu genetics can play in sustaining profitability and quality.

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