What is Wagyu?

Wagyu beef, meaning "Japanese Cow," is renowned worldwide for its unparalleled quality and rich flavor. This highly sought-after breed is the result of centuries of meticulous breeding, care and husbandry, with the country of Japan enforcing strict measures to protect its authenticity. Each Wagyu cow is assigned a unique ID number at birth, allowing consumers to trace its lineage, gender, and birthdate through the Japanese National Livestock Breeding Center. The reputation of Wagyu is built upon this deep commitment to quality, with the breed being sourced from only four distinct types: Japanese Black, Japanese Brown/Red, Japanese Shorthorn, and Japanese Polled.

 

In the United States, the term "Wagyu" on beef labels is not tightly regulated by the USDA. While the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has established the Authentic Wagyu Beef Program (G-162), which outlines specific criteria for labelling beef as "Wagyu," participation in this program is voluntary. We believe this is unfortunate and leads to some misrepresentation to consumers.

 

If properly inspected, under this program, beef must come from cattle that meet certain genetic requirements, such as being at least 93.75% Wagyu (i.e., Fullblood or Purebred), and must be verified through DNA testing. However, outside of these voluntary certification programs, there is no mandatory federal standard for labeling beef as "Wagyu." This means that beef with a lower percentage of Wagyu genetics, or even crossbred cattle, can be marketed as "Wagyu" without violating federal regulations. As a result, consumers may encounter products labeled as "Wagyu" that vary significantly in quality and genetic heritage.​

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That is why 3 Boots Ranch properly labels our “Wagyu” as Certified Akaushi Beef® (Fullblood) and 3 Boots Ranch True Heritage Wagyu™. Our cattle have been DNA tested, and our meat labels are protected by USPTO Federal Trademarks – Serial No. 88593052 and Serial No. 98495873.