Wagyner Blue P1 (Phase 1) is a composite breed of cattle consisting of Wagyu, Belgian Blue, and Angus genetics in a ratio of 50 : 25 : 25 respectively. This breed was brought about in part because of the success we had with Belgian Blue crosses – hybrids which exhibited some exceptional attributes:

• Hearty and healthy. These animals experience next to no illness throughout the raising process. This means there is rarely a need for treatment or for antibiotics.

• Tremendous temperament. Belgian Blue-influenced cattle are easy to work and resulted in quite a few inadvertent pets.

• Magnificent mothering. Excellent maternal behavior and milk production made them powerhouse brood cows.

• Excellent efficiency. Belgian-Blue exhibited superb nutrient conversion, and their beef, though leaner than standard Angus beef, was made surprisingly tender through mutation in one or both MSTN genes.

 

Now, let’s take a moment here to discuss the MSTN gene, as that is the cornerstone of our plans for the Wagyner Blue.

The MSTN gene is responsible for an animal body’s production of Myostatin. Myostatin is a type of protein that tells an animal’s muscles when to stop growing. The purpose of this is to limit body mass. Less mass means less maintenance and less nutrients needed. This is beneficial in natural settings, because it allows the animal to operate and function on less. In farm operations, however, where animals have access to far more nutrients, Myostatin limits potential gains.

 

In some animals – cattle in this case – there are sometimes mutations in one or both MSTN genes that deactivates or, at the least, inhibits the production of Myostatin. When one of these genes is mutated in such a manner, it results in animal with increased muscle mass and higher carcass yield grade. When two of these genes are mutated, it results in animal with even more muscle mass – known as double muscling* - even greater yield grade, and beef that is phenomenally tender**.