Our Genetics
In 2007, Slator Ranch introduced full blood Japanese Akaushi (Red Wagyu) genetics into our English based cow herd of polled Hereford and Angus, Angus-cross cows. We inseminated all of our cows with original Big Al semen and consistently bred back to first and subsequent generation Akaushi sons. These sons were from the original red Japanese (Akaushi) full blood bulls imported to the U.S. in 1994. Now all of our mother cows are 7/8, 15/16, or 31/32 Akaushi certified by the American Akaushi Association.
After years of developing our percentage Akaushi cattle, we have Purebred (15/16th) and higher DNA verified Akaushi cattle available for sale! Our bull battery and gene pool consists of all the original eleven 1994 Japanese cows and bulls imported by Dr. Al and Marie Wood, i.e. Hikari, Shigemaru, Tamamaru, Big Al, and the outstanding son 518. Dominating the maternal side are offspring primarily of Akiko and Dai Hachi 8 Marunami. We have added the remaining red Wagyu bloodlines from bulls purchased from Rocky Mountin Wagyu.
And finally, Slator Ranch is proud to introduce the World’s first line of homozygous polled purebred Akaushi sires (see below.)
Why Akaushi?
The Japanese Association of Akaushi was created over 70 years ago to perfect and record the pedigrees, carcass performance, genetic traits of uniformity, consistency, and high reproductive performance on every animal in the breed. So predictable are the genetics of Akaushi cattle, that they were declared the “National Treasure of Japan” and exportation of live animals has been prohibited.
Incredible Marbling throughout
F-1 (50% Akaushi-50% English) carcass grade Prime, Yield Grade 2 from our first steer crop, fed 190 days.
USDA figures reveal only 5% of all cattle graded in the U.S. can be called prime. In just our first cross with Akaushi bulls, Slator Ranch F-1 (50%) carcasses were improved from previous grades of over 50% high choice to an overall average of 50% prime. The 75% (F-2) carcasses graded over 57% prime averaged over several hundred animals in three consecutive calf crops. Our 7/8 steers graded a whopping 81% prime! This can translate into more dollars on the rail as packers will pay a premium for prime carcasses. It is well documented that the Japanese Akaushi have a higher percentage of the good mono-unsaturated fatty acids including oleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid, which yield a more flavorful, healthy beef product craved by consumers. This trait is evidenced in all offspring beginning with the first cross!
Our most recent 2018 carcass data of 292 head of Akaushi cattle graded 82.2% Prime.
Our 2017 carcass data graded on the Japanese scale proves Slator Ranch Akaushi to be equal to the fabled Black Wagyu crosses in marbling ability and more efficient. Eleven ¾ blood heifers fed 335 days graded as follows: 4 Ultra prime Plus, 4 Grade 5+, balance High Choice.
A truckload of 30 head of ¾ blood heifers fed 380 days, graded by Tyson, produced 80% prime, 1 CAB premium, balance High Choice.
Increased Fertility and Hybrid Vigor
Weaning weights of our F-1 and F-2 calves showed a dramatic increase over other cross bred calves we have produced. Even with multiple years of drought conditions and minimal supplementation, our mature cow herd (carrying 3rd calf plus) carries a 98% pregnancy rate.
Akaushi Bulls For Sale
Slator Ranch Akaushi offers range bred and raised purebred registered Akaushi bulls ready to go to work for you! Slator Ranch Akaushi bulls are accepted into the FPL Foods, HeartBrand, and numerous other programs throughout the United States. See how Akaushi can dramatically improve your cow herd in one generation. Private treaty sales available and online auctions in the future.
Akaushi Females For Sale
Slator Ranch offers purebred (93.75 % and higher) Akaushi heifers and replacement females for sale at certain times of the year. Private treaty sales available. Occasional on line public auction sales in the future.
Association Memberships
Slator Ranch is a member of the American Akaushi Association, American Wagyu Association, Texas Wagyu Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattleraisers, Texas Farm Bureau, and the Texas Wildlife Association.
