THE WILD WAY

Dear Friends,

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, it's clear that our commitment to advancing our Wagyu program has never been stronger. The past few months have been a testament to the hard work of our team and the vision that continues to drive Wilders Wagyu forward.

A Busy Start to 2025

This quarter has been filled with significant milestones and steady progress. Our beef company continues to grow, with our progeny tests yielding encouraging results. We've welcomed over 100 new calves this year, and our breeding program has been as active as ever—an essential foundation for the quality genetics we strive to produce. Our team also had the privilege of attending NCBA CattleCon in San Antonio in February, connecting with beef cattle industry leaders from across the country and gathering insights that will guide our efforts throughout the year.

One of the most exciting moments so far has been the official launch of our StayWILD'25 Production Sale with Wagyu365, set for November 1st on our farm in Turkey, NC! For us, it's more than just a sale; it's a culmination of years of planning, breeding, and refining—a true reflection of our dedication to cultivating culture and crafting Wagyu at the highest level. We look forward to sharing some of our best top 1% genetics with you and showcasing the results of our ongoing dedication to raising exceptional Wagyu cattle.

What We’ve Learned About Buying Genetics

As we step deeper into sale season, we’ve taken time to reflect on our own experiences in buying seedstock genetics. Along the way, we’ve learned valuable lessons that have shaped how we do business today and strengthened our commitment to serving others well. One of the most significant takeaways is the importance of relationships and customer service. We know firsthand that purchasing genetics is a long-term investment. Our experiences have reinforced the importance of working with people who prioritize transparency, stand behind their programs, and value long-term partnerships over one-time transactions. Genetics are more than just numbers on paper—they represent trust, shared vision, and a commitment to improving the breed.

When we purchase genetics, we prioritize working with programs that not only produce data and transparency but also value the relationship beyond the sale. We’ve learned to ask the right questions, engage in meaningful conversations about herd health, and build strong partnerships with producers who align with our values. Through our own experiences, we’ve come to understand the impact of ongoing support after a sale and why it’s so critical in this industry. That understanding has influenced how we approach sales at Wilders Wagyu—ensuring that when you invest in our program, you’re gaining a relationship that extends beyond a single purchase, backed by the WILD Way commitment to trust, service, and shared success.

The Importance of Herd Health

Through our experiences in buying seedstock genetics, we’ve realized that herd health is often overlooked in the buying process, with key questions left unasked. Herd health is not just a checkbox for us—it’s an intentional, ongoing commitment. Too often, it becomes an afterthought rather than a critical factor in evaluating a program. On page 6 of this newsletter, you'll find insights into our herd health protocols and why strategic planning is essential.We take a deeper dive into Johne's disease, discussing why it poses such a risk and what preventative measures can safeguard your herd.

While we are always learning, we believe that prioritizing herd health from the start is essential to building a successful operation. We hope our experiences offer valuable takeaways for your program.

Leading with Responsibility

In this issue, we also highlight our Responsible core value. As we reflect on what it takes to build a strong seedstock business, we recognize that responsibility is at the core of every decision we make. It means being accountable to our customers, to the cattle we raise, and to the future of the Wagyu breed. But responsibility goes beyond genetics and herd health—it extends to how we treat one another, how we support our partners, and how we build lasting relationships within this industry. At the end of the day, responsibility is not just a business practice; it’s a commitment to living compassionately and ensuring that integrity guides everything we do.

Looking Ahead

We're eagerly looking forward to attending the Australian Wagyu Association Conference in Perth this month. It's an opportunity to learn, connect, and gain fresh insights that will shape our strategy for the remainder of the year. Beyond that, we’re excited to reconnect with great friends in the industry. The conference will also feature incredible speakers, and we look forward to gaining new perspectives that will help us continue improving our program. We look forward to sharing big updates from this experience in our next quarterly update.

Thank you for being part of our WILD journey. We're grateful for the relationships we've built and the trust you place in Wilders. Here's to a strong year ahead, grounded in producing data, fostering relationships, and responsible stewardship.

StayWILD,

EXPANDING OUR BEEF COMPANY:
GROWTH, DATA, AND VISION

The end of 2024 marked a pivotal moment for our beef company with the acquisition of Triangle B Ranch herd. This strategic move was driven by our vision to expand and strengthen our fullblood beef supply chain, ensuring long-term growth and the ability to prove out our WILD genetics at every stage. With the acquisition of the TBR herd, we have added even more proven, functional genetics that are allowing us to build a beef company designed for success and sustainability.

Aggressive Growth in Supply Chain

Over the past year, we have doubled our fullblood breeding herd, and the momentum continues. In 2026, we anticipate a 150% increase in our harvest production, followed by steady year over year growth in 2027 and 2028. This expansion is not just about numbers; it's about creating a supply chain that supports our mission of producing premium, high-quality fullblood Wagyu beef that meets the highest standards.

Data-Driven Decisions Through Protocol Naturals

Central to this growth is our commitment to data. All of our feeders and progeny test projects are going through the Protocol Naturals system, a key component in refining our genetics and ensuring consistency. Dr. Jimmy Horner, founder of Protocol Naturals, has been instrumental in optimizing how we feed Wagyu cattle to maximize quality and consistency. His decades of experience in the industry have played a key role in refining our approach and further strengthening our commitment to producing premium beef.

Our team made another visit to Texas earlier this year to check in on our feeders at Protocol Naturals and carcasses at American Butchery. We continued our hands-on approach by camera imaging and grading our own carcasses, a process that represents the culmination of years of breeding, raising, and refining our genetics. Grading our carcasses is always an exhilarating moment! Seeing the results of our program on the rail is both rewarding and essential, allowing us to make informed breeding decisions, hone in on key genetic traits, and validate the hard work happening on the farm every day. For a seedstock producer, this level of data collection is essential to building a well-rounded and successful program. The valuable information we gather strengthens our program and confirms the exceptional quality of our genetics.

This data-driven approach ensures that the genetics we are working on are backed by real, measurable results. The carcass data we have coming out of the Protocol feed program on our WILD steers gives us confidence in the beef we produce.

Building Stronger Relationships

Our focus on relationships remains at the core of our expansion. Working closely with Protocol Naturals and American Butchery has enhanced the quality and consistency of our beef, from flavor to presentation. Working with good partners has allowed us to stay hands-on and connected at every level of the process. Success in this industry does not happen in isolation—it takes a dedicated team and trusted relationships at every step. We are grateful for the incredible people we work with, from our farm team to our partners and customers, all of whom are committed to building out a fullblood Wagyu beef supply chain.

Expanding Our Reach

We are also forging new paths with restaurant partnerships and expanding our retail presence. By bringing our fullblood Wagyu beef to more tables, we continue to share the results of our dedicated efforts, elevating the overall beef dining experience. Through these efforts, we are spreading awareness and educating consumers about fullblood Wagyu beef, making it more visible and accessible in the culinary space.

The future of our Wagyu industry is in beef, and we are excited to be part of its growth alongside so many dedicated producers and partners. With a foundation rooted in relationships and data-driven decisions, we are shaping the next chapter of our beef company and setting the standard for excellence in beef production.

RESTAURANT PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: KING NEPTUNE

At Wilders, we believe in building relationships that celebrate local flavors and sustainable practices. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight King Neptune, a cherished restaurant in Wrightsville Beach, NC, that has been serving the community for generations.

As the longest-running restaurant in New Hanover County, King Neptune has a legacy rooted in tradition. Under the leadership of owners Jimmy and Keaton Gilleece and the culinary expertise of Chef Em Ecker, the restaurant has embraced a new chapter—one that honors its history while introducing an elevated, farm-to-table dining experience.

Chef Em, a long-time friend of Wilders, shares a passion for quality, local ingredients. Our connection began at the Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market and has grown into a partnership we’re proud of. Chef Em’s mission is simple: to uphold King Neptune’s legacy by crafting dishes that showcase the very best of local farms, including our 100% Wagyu beef and Berkshire pork.

Back in the fall, Jimmy, Keaton, and Chef Em visited our farm to see firsthand the care and dedication that goes into raising our cattle and pigs. Since then, Wilders products have been a consistent feature on King Neptune's menu, offering guests an authentic taste of Eastern North Carolina. Diners can enjoy a delicious Wagyu beef meatball appetizer for dinner, savor Wagyu burgers for lunch, and indulge in Berkshire pork brunch items that highlight the versatility and flavor of our farm-raised products.

King Neptune is also proud to be a completely seed oil-free establishment, reinforcing their commitment to quality and thoughtful sourcing.

We deeply appreciate their investment in our farm and are honored to be part of their culinary journey. If you find yourself in Wrightsville Beach, make sure to stop by King Neptune for a true farm-to-table experience that celebrates local flavor and community connections.

WILD PROGENY TEST 2024 - PT1 & PT2 UPDATES, PT3 INTRODUCTION

Advancing the Breed with Every Step

Since the beginning of our seedstock journey, we have always been committed to advancing the Wagyu industry in the United States. We continue to challenge our team to ask what we can do better, and how to share the steps we take and what we learn with our communities and customers. By producing and collecting high volumes of data, we hope to provide transparency and continue growing the Wagyu breed.

PT1 Updates:

We have completed parent verification for the PT1 group and refined our data by focusing exclusively on male (steer) calves. After recalculating, the average birth weight (BW) among only bull calves across all PT1 sires came to 60 lbs. Additionally, we incorporated data from our clean-up bulls. The natural service calves from these bulls, born within a tight calving window, also qualify for PT1. Below, you’ll find the AI sires of interest and clean-up bulls, along with their average BW from male-only offspring. These calves have been de-horned and are progressing well. We anticipate recording their 200-day weights in June, providing deeper insights into their growth performance.

PT2 Updates:

Spring calving for PT2 began on March 1st. These pregnancies were intentionally aligned with our broader program goals, and we are eager to track how this group develops compared to PT1. We’re particularly focused on capturing and analyzing initial birth weights by sire. Early observations and data will be shared in our next quarterly update. We look forward to continuing this journey and providing valuable insights to the Wagyu community.

PT3 Introduction:

We are thrilled to introduce our third WILD Progeny Test (PT3) for 2024. This test will focus on evaluating five unique sire lines over a 28-month period, with in-depth analysis of both carcass and growth data. For PT3, we utilized 77 fullblood Wagyu females from our Fall breeding herd. As always, our commitment is to collect and share data that supports transparency and breed advancement. We are dedicated to making informed, data-driven decisions that contribute to the future of the Wagyu breed and will continue to provide updates as PT3 progresses.

PROJECT TIMELINE

PROGENY TESTING METRICS OUTLINE

WILD PROGENY TEST 2024 - 3 (PT3) SIRES

Reflecting on the end of 2024, the Wilders team made significant strides, finishing the year strong with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. It was one of our busiest seasons, navigating a hectic holiday retail craze and focusing on selling our premium Wagyu beef and Berkshire pork.

To add the finishing touches on an exciting year, we expanded our general store hours to serve our customers six days a week, we fenced in new pastures, completed construction on two cabins, and had our best-performing calf group to date.

We’re motivated to keep building on this momentum into 2025 and beyond!

5. Sire-1 World K’s Michifuku WKSFM0164.png

5. Sire-2 WILD FUKU DOI 112L WFSF23U112.png

5. Sire-3 TBR SHOGUN 7704 TRIF22T7704K.png

5. Sire-4 TBR Kikutnami 4051A TRIFJ4051A.png

Herd Health: A Focus on Johne’s Disease

Maintaining herd health is the foundation of any successful livestock operation, and at Wilders, we take this responsibility seriously. One of the most dangerous threats to cattle health is Johne’s disease—a chronic, contagious bacterial infection that affects the intestines of ruminants. We test our herd for multiple diseases, and Johne’s is just one of the conditions we actively monitor. Future newsletters will dive into other diseases we screen for and our ongoing efforts to maintain herd health.

What is Johne’s Disease and Why is it Dangerous?

Johne’s disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). It is primarily spread through the ingestion of contaminated feces, milk, or colostrum from infected animals. The disease progresses slowly, and animals may not show symptoms until years after being infected. Common signs include chronic diarrhea, significant weight loss, and decreased milk production. Unfortunately, once symptoms appear, the disease is untreatable and inevitably fatal. The hidden nature of Johne’s is why rigorous testing and prevention are critical to protecting herd health.

Our Approach to Herd Health and Johne’s Prevention

At Wilders, we implement strict protocols to safeguard our herd against diseases like Johne’s. While we are not veterinarians or subject matter experts, our approach is based on experience and a commitment to continuous improvement. Here's how we prioritize testing and prevention:

Breeder Testing: All females in our breeding herd undergo a full panel disease test twice a year. The first test is conducted pre-breeding, ensuring they are disease-free before entering the breeding program. A second test is performed pre-calving to confirm the health status before birthing.
Natural Service Sire Testing: Natural service sires are also tested twice annually to ensure they are free from any transmittable diseases before each turnout.
Early Progeny Testing: Because Johne’s disease can be passed in utero and remains dormant for years, early detection is essential. We begin testing progeny at a young age to monitor and prevent the disease from spreading within our herd. Early intervention helps us ensure that only disease-free animals are retained for breeding or sold as seedstock.
Seedstock Protocols: Animals selected for seedstock are tested three times—once pre-breeding, once four months before the sale, and again within 30 days of the sale. This means that any animal sold through our StayWILD or private treaty sales has undergone at least three rounds of full panel testing. Additionally, their dams are tested twice annually, ensuring confidence in the health and integrity of our genetics.

Our Commitment to Herd Health and Seedstock Integrity

We understand that buyers and breeders can experience the consequences of diseases like Johne’s when they are not properly managed or tested for. That’s why we go beyond standard herd health practices—this is about protecting the investment in seedstock genetics. Our rigorous testing protocols ensure that buyers know exactly what they are purchasing, with confidence that our animals have been thoroughly screened. We recognize that disease prevention is an ongoing effort, and we are continually refining our approach to improve herd health.

If you have questions about our approach to herd health or the steps we take to monitor our animals, we’re always happy to share our experiences. Our focus is on maintaining transparency in our practices and sharing what we’ve learned through experience, while continuously improving alongside fellow producers.

WILD TO our CORE

At the heart of our core value "Live Compassionately" is the principle of being responsible. It’s about stewardship—caring for our company resources, our time, our responsibilities, and each other. Responsibility is a choice. It is choosing to be “on the hook,” holding ourselves accountable before anyone else needs to. It is living with a "the buck stops with me" mentality while balancing efficiency and excellence.

Being responsible means more than just checking boxes. It is about recognizing the trust we have been given and taking ownership to uphold it. Whether that is stewarding company resources, meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality, or supporting one another in our shared goals, we are responsible to and for each other. Just as we hold ourselves accountable in our work, we must also recognize our responsibilities in our relationships—treating others with respect, communicating openly, and building trust within our teams and our communities.

This responsible mindset is especially crucial when it comes to herd health and management as discussed previously on page 6. As seedstock producers, our commitment to responsible stewardship is reflected in every decision we make. Herd health protocols are more than just procedures; they are acts of responsibility that safeguard the well-being of our animals and the integrity of our genetics. Stewarding the land and resources entrusted to us is another key part of this equation, ensuring we are caring for the environment today so it can thrive tomorrow. Moreover, our responsibility extends beyond our own operations—we have a duty to our customers, ensuring they have the best possible genetics and the knowledge to be successful with their herds.

What It Means to Be Responsible:

Stewardship: Taking care of company resources, time, and responsibilities as if they were our own.
Accountability: Owning our actions and commitments before someone else has to remind us.
Herd Health Commitment: Implementing and following strict protocols to ensure the well-being of our livestock.
Customer Success: Recognizing that our responsibility doesn’t end when a sale is made—we support our customers in their success.
Recognizing Irresponsibility: Understanding when we fall short and actively seeking ways to improve.
Balancing Efficiency and Excellence: Meeting deadlines while maintaining high-quality work—avoiding perfectionism at the cost of progress.

Being responsible also means recognizing when we are falling short and having the courage to address it. It's about looking in the mirror, acknowledging areas for improvement, and making the changes needed to better serve our team, our customers, and our community. It’s about knowing when we’re not being responsible and committing to fixing it.

Ultimately, being responsible ensures that we are not just meeting expectations but exceeding them, serving our customers with care, and fostering a culture where integrity, accountability, and stewardship lead the way.

Let's continue to live out responsibility—in our work, in our decisions, and in how we serve each other and our community.