The UK's first official breed society sale of beef cattle from the Wagyu Breeders' Association (WBA) will be staged on Saturday, June 30, at Hexham Auction Mart.

A selection of top bloodlines to include in-calf heifers, recipients with embryo calves at foot, breeding bulls, semen and embryos, will be available from the breed which is known for it's highly-marbled, premium beef.

Entries are open to full members of the association which was established in 2014 to represent breeders in Britain and Ireland.

"This is a great opportunity for new and existing breeders to buy into some top bloodlines based on prominent US and Australian genetics," said WBA director Steve Ramshaw.

"There are great rewards to be had in producing Wagyu which is renowned as the world's best beef with tremendous returns possible throughout the supply chain."

There will be an online bidding facility for those not able to get to the market on the day with a pedigree reader in attendance to guide prospective purchasers through the lots.

Hexham and Northern Marts auctioneer Drew Patrick added: "We are delighted and extremely excited to hold the first UK Elite Sale of Wagyu genetics here at Hexham, the first of its kind in Britain.

"The breed's profile is growing dramatically within the food and farming media for its superb eating quality. The demand for Wagyu genetics is increasing especially with those farmers who are looking to diversify their current beef enterprises."