About Wagyu Cattle

The Wagyu breed (和牛) is a breed of beef cattle from Japan.

Wagyu were raised in Japan as beasts of burden for more than 2,000 years before they were consumed for meat in Japan starting around 1867 at the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, when a long-standing ban on eating meat in Japan was lifted.

Somehow the selection of animals for work animal purposes over a 2,000+ year period resulted in the unintended consequence of the Wagyu breed evolving into a breed that had outstanding meat quality.

The breed’s original purpose combined with a highly regulated government-led breed improvement program starting in the 19th century led to Wagyu now being known around the world for the ultimate beef culinary experience.