Sustainably Grown

Blackmore Wagyu Beef property
Blackmore Wagyu Beef property at Alexandra, Victoria

The Blackmore Wagyu Beef farm is situated at Alexandra, Victoria on the rich and fertile Goulburn River flats where the river leaves the mountains. The beautiful and healthy Victorian high country was specifically selected for its natural lagoons and old river red gums allowing the cattle to be bred in a natural, clean and sustainable environment.

David Blackmore has spent more than 40 years pursuing farming methods that ensure the production of Blackmore Wagyu Beef is environmentally sustainable. Enhancements in the biological quality of the property’s pastures and lagoons ensure that the Wagyu cattle are raised in a healthy and stress free environment.

This environment is a major factor in limiting stress throughout the life of the animal and ensuring the quality of Blackmore Wagyu Beef is produced at the highest standards.

How We Act Sustainably

Animal husbandry & feed rations

  • Minimise stress in animals throughout life
  • Allow herd to build up natural immunities which are passed to their offspring through suckling
  • Life-saving antibiotics are administered on an individual basis
  • Feed rations are formulated with a low grain content, using natural feed ingredients, encouraging a natural weight gain
  • Growth hormones (banned in chickens but not beef) are not used (doubling an animal’s natural weight gain will affect the animal’s welfare, stress and beef quality)
  • No antibiotics are used in the ration, allowing naturally occuring bacteria to keep the stomach healthy. This is the origin of the beer story from Japan (Beer = Yeast = Bacteria = a healthy gut)

Genetics & traceability

  • Understanding the genetics allows us to achieve a consistently high grade product
  • Studying traditional methods and using past history in farming and genetics allow us to improve structural correctness, temperament and robustness of the animal
  • Life-time traceability of animal from conception to restaurant through DNA parent verification

Agriculture & farm management

  • Protect natural lagoons
  • Use of organic fertilisers to improve natural biology in the soil, allowing important minerals and nutrients to pass through the grass to the animal
  • Continual experimentation with new and modern pasture species and evaluation of their effectiveness under drought conditions

Farm profitability

  • Farming is not sustainable if the business is not profitable