Tamamaru

Tamamaru was among the three Akaushi bulls imported in 1994, the second and final Akaushi export from Japan that seeded HeartBrand Beef's foundation herd. Selected in Kumamoto Prefecture and purchased by Dr. Al and Marie Wood of Englewood Farm, Texas, he came to America through the Japanese-American joint-venture shipment alongside a small group of elite red females and the bulls Shigemaru and Hikari, an Akaushi line that traces to the Woods and HeartBrand rather than to Takeda. Within the tiny founder population, Tamamaru fills a distinct and valuable niche: he is the sire breeders reach for to add frame, described as unmatched for the 'length of body and stoutness' he transmits, along with a reputation for consistency and structural excellence. Recorded as sired by Dai-Go 5 Tamanami Tokkyu 96 out of Dai-Hachi 8 Marunami, he is noted as F11-free, an advantage for breeders managing that recessive. Because just three bulls founded the entire U.S. Akaushi herd, Tamamaru's blood is woven throughout modern pedigrees registered with the American Wagyu Association and the Akaushi Association of America. For programs needing size, length and skeletal soundness without sacrificing Akaushi carcass quality, Tamamaru remains an indispensable foundation sire.