Wilders Announces Majority Acquisition of Double 8 Farms’ Herd

SAMPSON COUNTY, N.C., (March 9, 2022) – Today Wilders announced the purchase of 249 Fullblood Wagyu from Double 8 Cattle Co in Central Ohio. 

The acquisition included DECFS3086 Double 8 Cattle Double Down On X (ET). He was sired by Mayura L0010, who has breed-leading EBVs and was the top seller at Elite Wagyu’s 2016 sale, selling for $105,000. The sale also included heifer Sumo Cattle Co Fuku P526 ET (FB58067/SMOFP0526), which sold in 2020 for $105,000 in the Elite Wagyu Sale by Sumo Cattle Co. She is also a Michifuku F154 daughter and is currently located in Australia. 

Sumo Cattle Co Fuku P526 ET

“My wife Jaclyn and I are humbled and excited by this opportunity to expand our ability to supply and serve the Wagyu industry,” said Reid Smith, co-founder of Wilders. “ We are both passionate about seeing this community succeed. This was a win-win opportunity to grow our herd and continue to build on the great program Double 8 has built.” 

Wilders plans to move the newly acquired cattle to their locally owned and operated farm in Sampson County, NC later this month. There, they will reside with the rest of Wilders’ herd. 

“Growing our farm over the past two years has only deepened our family’s appreciation for agriculture and farming. We work hard to give our animals the best quality care, from learning industry best practices from our consultants to the extra attention our kids give the animals on family farm workdays,” said Jaclyn Smith, Co-Founder, Wilders. “We’ve found a tremendous opportunity to expand our herd, and we’re so honored to grow with this community.” 

Reid and Jaclyn Smith, husband and wife founders of Wilders

Coming from five generations of cattle farmers, Reid knows the importance of proven genetics. He and the Wilders crew have been working on an in-house scoring system to offer clients assurance and predictability with their Wilders investment.  

“I know from experience how hard ranching can be,” said Reid. “We certainly don’t know everything, but we’re grateful to have some wonderful partners and hard-working team members who are committed to this for the long haul. Our goal is to offer our clients more control and predictability in their genetics investment by combining our internal scoring system, partner relationships, and best in class herd acquisitions.” 

Post-acquisition, future plans for Wilders herd include genetics production, Wagyu beef sales, private treaties, and plans for a production sale. For more information visit wilderswagyu.com