Article by Jon Condon, courtesy of Beef Central
15.09.2025
AUSTRALIA’S cornerstone Wagyu industry annual event is headed north next year, with the WagyuEdge ’26 conference destined for Brisbane next April.
The Australian Wagyu industry has had a history of moving its annual conference around the country, being staged in Perth last year, Cairns in 2023 and Melbourne the year before that, exposing stakeholders to production systems in different parts of the country. Typically, more than 500 delegates from across Australia, North and South America, Europe and North and South Asia and the pacific region attend the event.
Being staged between April 15 and 17 next year, the 2026 event will touch down in Brisbane for the first time, where Wagyu producers, lotfeeders, processors, exporters, supply chain managers and other stakeholders will gather to celebrate the art, science and shared luxury of premium Wagyu beef.
A lineup of world-class conference speakers is being assembled (more details closer to the event), will be supported by trade displays, cutting-edge innovation, market-shaping insights and the best of homegrown Wagyu on display and for sampling.
The conference will focus on telling the story of Australian Wagyu, from its’ pioneers to its emerging leaders and the technology and innovation driving the sector forward. As always, the conference will be supported by numerous networking and social events.
AWA chief executive Dr Matt McDonagh said the conference will celebrate the national Wagyu industry’s global reputation, and showcase the people, programs and progress driving Wagyu forward.
“WagyuEdge is where the global Wagyu community comes together to share knowledge, celebrate innovation, and showcase the very best of our industry,” he said.
“Australian Wagyu has had a global impact and now its time to put the spotlight on our industry and its’ achievements. Brisbane provides the perfect stage to highlight Australia’s home-grown Wagyu and its reputation as the world’s luxury beef.”
One of the highlights will be the prestigious Wagyu Branded Beef Competition Awards Night, judging for which takes place this December (see details below); the Elite Wagyu Sale, and the Industry Dinner.
A special four day post-conference tour will take delegates behind the farm gate and through the Queensland supply chain, offering an in-depth look at Wagyu production from paddock to plate in the nation’s largest beef state.
2026 AWA branded beef competition
In other developments, entries in the 2026 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition will open 29 September, closing 10 October. Five classes will be contested for Fullblood, Purebred, Crossbred, F1 and Commercial Wagyu (marbling scores 5-7).
