The Story Begins...

Texas cast its lure toward Gary and Beverly Yamamoto in 1997... and they bit. The quality fishing and the dream of building a private fishing resort led them to a perfect setting, not far from the world-class waters of Lake Fork. In fact, the resort that stands there today is named Sugoi Lakes. Sugoi is the Japanese word for perfect.

Once their construction was complete at Sugoi Lakes, Gary and Beverly were soon looking for their next project, which proved to be a blending of two cultures--Japanese and American. By combining the fertile grazing lands of East Texas with their interests in the internationally renowned genetics of Japanese Black Wagyu cattle, the Yamamoto couple realized that they'd have the "perfect" combination.

Their interest in high quality beef, and subsequent inquiries, soon led them to the source. Japan is renowned for the production of Kobe-Beef, the highest quality, finely marbled beef in the world. Japanese Black Wagyu cattle are the dominant beef breed in Japan, numbering greater than 85% of the total Japanese beef cattle population. Modern Wagyu cattle are the result of combining certain imported beef strains with the native Wagyu cattle, which for centuries had been closed, inbred herds.

This was accomplished over a period of 30 years, between 1887 and 1910. In 1950, a program to establish modern inbred Wagyu strains was initiated and selection for beef quality was intensified.

Research Pays

Investigation into the Wagyu breed led the Yamamoto couple to conclude:

• Only since 1993 have fullblood Wagyu been permitted to be imported into the U.S.
• Wagyu cattle are imminently compatible with the East Texas environment and growing conditions.
• Tremendous opportunities existed, both domestically and abroad for beef producers capable of consistently delivering high quality classes of beef.
• The Takeda American herd possessed the necessary growth and beef quality characteristics, making it a clear leader in the international and Japanese cattle industry.

An Important Meeting

In 1998, the Yamamotos met with Mr. Shogo Takeda, owner of Takeda Farms. In rare instances in the cattle industry there exist a master breeder whose vision, cattle knowledge and focus allow them to transcend current fads and immediate trends while assembling a truly dominant cow herd and breeding program. Mr. Takeda is such an individual and the focus since 1998 has been on the program he established.

About Takeda Farms Takeda Farms has no peer in Japan, or elsewhere -- for 40 years the Shogo Takeda family has been breeding Japanese Black Wagyu. The Takeda farm is home to one of the largest herds of Wagyu in Japan, huge compared to the average Japanese herd of three to five head. Takeda has applied selection pressure on his herd to produce faster growing, larger framed, more fertile and better milking Wagyu cattle -- qualities which clearly represent greater market value. A high percentage of Takeda cattle grade A-5. In Japan, 'A' is the most desirable yield grade and '5' is the highest quality grade. Females calve at 2 years of age and continue to produce progeny each year thereafter. The average Takeda Farms females weighs 1,430 pounds--the Japanese average is 1,200 pounds. Takeda dams are known for their healthy progeny, consistently hanging heavier carcasses. Opportunity As the bond of friendship grew between the Yamamoto couple and Mr. Takeda, so grew a mutual respect. Gary and Beverly recognized and respected the accomplishments of Mr. Takeda, and saw an opportunity to grow the elite Wagyu heard in a Texas-based operation. With this as their goal, in 1999 Gary and Beverly purchased Mr. Takeda's U.S. assets in their entirety. Mr. Takeda's sale of the Takeda American herd to the Yamamotos was a milestone event, representing his respect for them, his agreement with their goals, and his firm belief in their ability to accomplish them. For the first time in history, Mr. Takeda surrendered control of the Takeda American herd to another -- a herd both representing his passion and much of his life's work. Prior to that moment, no live Takeda breeding stock had ever been sold or allowed outside of his direct control.

Itamicho 1/2-A beauty to behold. Possibly the most powerful bull in the Wagyu breed. Mitsuhikokura TF249-149 - The thickest bull in Wagyu. Terratoni - Internationally recognized for marbling and milking. He produces very easy fleshing females.

Operating Worldwide

Today, Yamamoto Custom Beef is a fully integrated beef operation ecompassing ranches in East Texas, which house over 1,700 animals. The Yamamoto herd is made up of fullblood, percentage and Angus females for F1 production, as well as 200 Takeda bred Fullblood Wagyu bulls. Cooperating commercial Angus herds in Iowa, Nebraska, Kentucky and Texas are also part of the Yamamoto Custom Beef operation as they pursue closely supervised production of Wagyu/Angus cross cattle.

Cattle are fed in a central custom feedlot in Iowa with harvest fabrication operations in Omaha, Nebraska and Texas. High quality Yamamoto Custom Beef is shipped to restaurants and customers worldwide.

Producing quality products in large volume and marketing their product worldwide is not a new pursuit for Gary and Beverly. They are the owners and driving force behind Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, manufacturers and marketers of a line of custom-designed baits and lures with worldwide sales. Gary is a world-class bass fisherman, and competes successfully in top tour events, nationally and internationally.

Their attention to detail is just as great in the Custom Beef operation. These days you'll typically find them working cattle, analyzing data and cattle performance, while seeking new markets to develop a consumer clientele for Wagyu beef.

Gary and Beverly strongly believe in the attributes the Wagyu breed brings to the domestic and international beef cattle markets, and are actively promoting the densely marbled, yet healthier meat their herds produce. Of interest is the fact that Wagyu beef produces a higher percentage of oleaginous, unsaturated fat than any other breed of cattle known in the world.

For information on the Yamamoto's cooperative programs or to purchase semen, embryos, bulls or Wagyu beef, contact the Yamamoto ranch at:

Yama Beef
709 E. Mason St.
Mabank, TX 75147
Toll Free: 1-877-792-9262
Fax: 903-887-8348