Michael Katz
Owner
Read bioAbout Koolang Wagyu
Founded in 2004 KWA is a Wagyu stud dedicated to breeding full blood Wagyu bulls for use with young cattle. Founded using original stock and semen purchased from Westholme and Pasagean, it has grown to a significant scale.
In recent years, a diverse range of seedstock has been introduced to the herd. This has resulted in a full blood herd with good diversity and several outstanding lines of high marbling cattle.
30-70
bulls produced annually
140 +
Full Blood calves born each year
300 +
F1 calves
produced each year
Our Team
Michael Katz
Michael Katz, owner of Clear Hills and the associated property Koolang has invested in the development of the Wagyu industry. He spent many years as a banker dealing with Japan and living in Japan and acquired a deep appreciation of both the quality of Wagyu beef and the dedication and attention to detail required to do business with Japan. He has used this experience to guide the development of KWA. He was a member of the Australian Wagyu Association Council from 2009 – 2011.
Frederique Katz, is Michael’s wife and has been an avid consumer of Wagyu beef since her years in Japan. She has provided guidance and insight into the all-important kitchen dimensions of meat cooking and flavour. She is the force behind the associated Truffle business, Tibor Truffles.
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Geoff Cummins
Manager
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Geoff Cummins
Geoff Cummins is the manager of KWA. He brings 30 years of experience and expertise in rural industry in and around NSW. He is also a skilled AI technician and has developed a deep understanding of the genetics of the Wagyu breed. Geoff and his wife Gillian have also shown huge initiative in helping to develop the trufferie so that we can work towards our goal of providing the best of the best in terms of truffle and Wagyu.
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Steve Cummins
Stockman
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Steve Cummins
Steve Cummins has been passionate about agriculture all his life. He was tempted by a career with the Canberra Raiders but decided it was just a bit too much. He has worked in the district for over 10 years and is a master of stock handling. His motorbike skills are legendary. His interest in Stud work is growing and he is very quick to see good EBVs with high value animals.
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Mick Woods
Stockman
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Mick Woods
Born in the district Mick has years of experience with sheep and cattle. His passion is Polocrosse and he loves a good horse. His skills are widely admired and his can do attitude is a pleasure to see. Mick has been involved with Koolang Wagyu on a part time basis for over 10 years.
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Claire Brien
Administrator
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Claire Brien
Claire comes from the bush and provides Koolang Wagyu with administrative services including data entry, accounting and assistance with our newsletter which she edits with terrific skill. Claire is always willing to lend a hand and has a deep knowledge of what it takes to build a successful business in rural Australia.
Claire has been involved with Koolang Wagyu since 2017.
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Trusted
- Personal
- Communication
- Service
- Long term relationships
Science Driven
- Focus on EBVs
- Focus on Data
- Genomics
- Close to AWA and AGBU
- Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture
Innovative
- Drought resistant
- High tech cattle management
- Best genetics
- Consistent Breeding Objective
- Cooperation with QGI
Value for Loyalty
- Pricing based on value
- Working closely with customers and suppliers
Our breeding objective is producing well-formed, high-marbling, good-growth bulls for use in F1 production.
We have been involved in the rapid growth in genomics in the Wagyu industry. This has meant that we have been able to rapidly improve the marbling EBVs of our herd through scientific selection pressure and an annual AI program. We are now in a position to offer bulls which have above breed average marble score EBVs while not sacrificing growth or carcase weight.
We practise rotational grazing and accurate record-keeping to ensure we have strong healthy animals. Our location in the southern tablelands of NSW means we have proper winters and our cattle are climate conditioned. We practise low-stress cattle handling with no dogs used. The animals are docile. Our total herd of over 200 full blood Wagyu cattle provides an important opportunity to continue to apply strong selection pressure on our herd.
Koolang Wagyu Bulls
Located at Gurrundah, between Gunning and Crookwell in the southern tablelands of NSW, KWA is ideally suited to high country bulls. The breeding objective is to produce balanced bulls that produce high-marbling offspring without sacrificing weight or feed efficiency. We have embraced the need for biodiversity and keep about 20% of our property as natural bushland, not used for grazing at all.
- Our objective is to have a Marble Score EBV in excess of the breed average
- We look closely at Carcase Weight, Eye Muscle Area, growth rates and carcase weight, EBVs
- We are conscious of the need to eliminate known genetic disorders
- Founded using original stock and semen purchased from Westholme and Pasagean
- Koolang Wagyu produce proven bulls annually in a spring calving cycle
- KWA is a partner in Quality Genetics International (QGI) which purchases top quality Wagyu Bulls and distributes semen globally. KWA participates in progeny tests for these bulls
See Our Bulls For Sale
