Wagyu Welfare
At Kuro Kin Wagyu, we have adopted methods of animal husbandry that address many Animal Welfare issues and
have the least impact on our livestock. This is a process that is always being
considered and improved upon.
Yard weaning at Kuro Kin
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Wagyu Welfare at Kuro Kin
Animal welfare has been at the forefront of a lot of media coverage lately. In 1991 I was encouraged to be aware of this by the then dean of UNE, Orange Campus, John Chudleigh. At Kuro Kin Wagyu, we have adopted methods of animal husbandry that will have the least impact on our livestock. The reasons for this are that livestock are more settled when they aren’t stressed, they also recover well and perform. Here is an outline of our animal husbandry practices:
Environment The Upper Hunter Valley has been utilised by indigenous Australians for over 40,000 years. European settlers (George Hall) first moved into our specific part of the Upper hunter valley in 1824. The land has since been managed in a sustainable production system for nearly 200 years. Over the years drought and flood have determined whether the land is the right occupation for many entrepreneurs, however for the Bishop family we have been able to adapt to the changing climate (and markets). Kuro Kin Wagyu expands over 8500 acres and is divided by 60+ paddocks allowing for rotational grazing. Rotational grazing means that the paddocks are grazed for a short period of time and then livestock moved so the paddock can be rested. This system allows the pasture to recover from grazing and maintains enough ground cover to prevent erosion. Water is critical to a farming enterprise, we utilise water from underground bores. This water is pumped via pipe to water troughs. This system is efficient as there is no evaporation or erosion. At Kuro Kin we have about 50km of water pipes - this requires continuous maintenance! Dams are also available to cattle however they prefer the cleaner and cooler water out of a tank. |