A pedigree Wagyu cattle breeder based in Co. Kildare has secured the sale of a consignment of Wagyu heifers and bulls as well as Wagyu semen and embryos to a customer in Portugal.

Based outside Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, Oliver O’Hanlon is the owner of the Ohanasaki Wagyu Herd (pronounced O-Hana-Sa-Ki).

The farm is home to a herd of full-blood Wagyu cattle and Agriland caught-up with the Wagyu breeder to hear how the sale came to pass.

"In April this year, a delegation of farmers from Portugal visited our farm in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare to see Wagyu cattle," O'Hanlon said.

"This resulted in the sale of 20 full-blood registered females, two full-blood registered stock bulls, as well as a selection of Wagyu semen and embryos.  The cattle left Ireland on Tuesday, May 20, and arrived at their destination on Friday, May 23," he added.

The Kildare farmer told Agriland how he managed to get the cattle to their market destination in Pombal, Portugal.

"The cattle travelled in a new livestock trailer owned by Cormac Morgan from The Moy in Co. Tyrone. This was its maiden voyage.

"The cattle were rested at lairages on the way and arrived content and happy on Friday evening," he said.

O'Hanlon said that the purchaser has a number of business interests.

"When I asked the buyer, 'Why do you want to buy Wagyu?' he said owning Waygu in Portugal is like owning a Rolex, only better, and [he] also said that it is challenging to source quality Wagyu cattle in Portugal, Spain, or France," O'Hanlon said.

One of the bulls sold to Portugal was Ohanasaki Tucker, which according to O'Hanlon was "an outstanding son of Arubial Anticipated out of Ohanasaki Jenny Penny (2023 offspring)".

This bull was an embryo transfer calf carried in a Friesian-cross cow.

"The dam's milk quality gave this bull the very best start, making him the pick of that group," O'Hanlon said.

The purchaser has plans to use the foundation cattle to grow his herd and produce Wagyu beef from it.