Gateway Wagyu herd dispersal offers rare chance to invest in elite genetics

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR GATEWAY WAGYU

This April marks a rare opportunity to secure some of Australia's leading Waygu genetics with the complete dispersal of the renowned Gateway Wagyu herd and properties.

For the past 10 years, the Erasmus family has been dedicated to breeding elite Wagyu cattle near Gloucester on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, creating a genetic legacy that will leave a lasting impression on the industry.

The Gateway Wagyu herd, comprising 1350 registered full blood and poll cattle, will be offered online through Premium Bovine Solutions starting on Friday, April 4, with bids closing on Monday, April 14, at 12 noon (Queensland time).

For the Erasmus family, Gateway Wagyu was never just a business, it has been a family passion. From selecting elite genetics to hands-on cattle handling, each family member has played a vital role in shaping the herd into one of Australia's finest.

"We were in the game farming business in South Africa and one thing we learned was if you had quality, higher value animals, you could run more conservative numbers and still achieve a high turnover," Carl Erasmus said.

"So when it came to cattle Wagyu was a natural choice for us, not only for its premium market value but also for the challenge of refining its genetic potential.

"When we started in 2015, we recognised that many breeders were working in isolation, using only their own genetics.

"We saw an opportunity to acquire and blend the very best genetics from leading Wagyu breeders, we didn't just want to breed Wagyu, we wanted to develop a herd that stood out at the top level."

Through rigorous selection and strategic matings, Gateway Wagyu incorporated elite bloodlines, including genetics from Peter Lee's renowned herd, and Sumo Wagyu, as well as buying in many Longford females.

When polled Wagyu semen became available in Australia in 2016, Gateway Wagyu was among the first to invest in poll genetics and the family has spent the past nine years selectively breeding poll Wagyu with high-performing full blood cattle.

"We believe the future of polled Wagyu is incredibly bright," Mr Erasmus said.

"The global supply is still limited which creates a tremendous opportunity for breeders to develop elite seedstock."

Catalogued in the herd dispersal is 886 premium full blood Wagyu females and 247 elite full blood Wagyus, including three-in-one PTIC cow and calf packages, PTIC cows and heifers, unjoined cows and heifers and 20 bulls plus semen.

According to George Lubbe from Premium Bovine Solutions, who is handling the sale of the cattle, the Gateway Wagyu herd ranks among the top 10 in the Australian Wagyu industry.

"The elite full blood cattle on offer are some of the highest ranking animals recorded by the Australian Wagyu Association's Wagyu Breedplan analysis," Mr Lubbe said.

"This represents a unique opportunity for buyers looking to elevate their herds with top-tier genetics while maintaining diversity beyond most herd profiles."

Additionally, Mr Lubbe said the registered poll Wagyu offering will be the largest ever sold globally, with 175 poll Wagyu cattle listed for sale including three-in-one PTIC cow and calf packages, unjoined heifers and cows and seven poll Wagyu bulls.

The dispersal will take place across four separate sales:

1. Gateway Poll Wagyu: Starts April 4 at 12 noon - Closes April 14 at 11am 025 (StockLive ONLINE AUCTION)

2. Gateway Elite Full Blood Wagyu: Starts April 4 at 12 noon - Closes April 14 at 12 noon (StockLive ONLINE AUCTION)

3. Gateway Premium Full Blood Wagyu: Starts April 4 at 12 noon - Closes April 14 at 1pm (StockLive ONLINE AUCTION)

4. Final Gateway Prestige Full Blood Wagyu Bull Sale: Starts 10am, April 30 - Closes April 30 at 1pm. The physical sale will be held at the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange and online through StockLive.

Bulls will be available to inspect from 3pm onwards the day before the auction on Tuesday, April 29.

Alongside the herd dispersal, the Erasmus family are also selling their two prime coastal properties, to be offered at auction on Wednesday, April 16, through Ray White.

Going under the hammer is the family's 1214-hectare farm between Gloucester and Krambach, with improved pastures of Rhodes, Kikuyu, and clover providing ideal conditions to easily run about 600 breeders.

The second 1000ha property on offer has undergone significant development, including 18 kilometres of new fencing and extensive roadworks.

Boasting more than 6.5km of river frontage and an average annual rainfall of 1000 millimetres, Mr Erasmus believes this farm holds immense potential for future breeders, comfortably supporting 500 breeders with room for expansion.

Although it is the end of an era for the family, Mr Erasmus said the Wagyu industry has a promising future, but emphasised that success in the breed requires dedication, financial backing, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

"You can't cut corners in Wagyu breeding," he said.

"To prove sires, to refine genetics, to truly produce elite cattle, it takes time, investment, and passion.

"The sires and dams that dominate today's industry didn't get there by chance, they represent years of careful selection and strategic breeding."

Mr Erasmus said while the decision to step away from breeding has been difficult, the entire family is looking forward to spending more time together and embracing new adventures.

"This has been a family endeavour and we've poured everything into it," he said.

"But now it's time to reconnect with family and friends, to travel, and enjoy the life we've built."

For inquiries about the herd dispersal, contact George Lubbe, Premium Bovine Solutions, on 0408 502 787. Sale numbers are subject to change, visit Gateway Wagyu - Premium Bovine Solutions for more details. Register to get updates HERE.

For property inquiries, contact Rob Chapman, Ray White Manning Valley on 0428 577 202.

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR GATEWAY WAGYU