Amanda Geary Amanda Geary

What’s The Difference In Purebred Wagyu Beef and American Wagyu Beef?

If you’ve ever wondered whether that affordable “Wagyu” beef at a big box store is the real thing, you’re not alone. At Geary Farms Beef, a small family-owned cattle farm in Monroe, Georgia, we raise purebred, grass-fed Wagyu beef the right way — with transparency, ethical care, and 100% pasture-based feeding. But not all Wagyu is raised or labeled equally.

Let’s break down what Wagyu really means in the U.S...

What Does “Wagyu” Mean?

In Japan, Wagyu refers to four specific heritage breeds known for incredible marbling and flavor, raised under strict government oversight. In the United States, however, there are no federal regulations requiring beef labeled as “Wagyu” to be 100% purebred or fullblood.

In fact, most “Wagyu” beef sold in grocery stores is:

  • Crossbred (often Wagyu x Angus)

  • Only 25% to 50% Wagyu genetics

  • Grain-finished in feedlots

  • Mass-produced with little transparency

That means a package labeled “Wagyu” at Walmart or Costco may contain only a small percentage of actual Wagyu genetics — but still legally carry the name.

At Geary Farms, we raise purebred Wagyu beef — not crossbreeds. Our cattle are raised and we raise them entirely on pasture always, allowing them to forage naturally from start to finish until they reach a certain maturity. At that time, we offer (in addition to pasture) a nutrient and mineral rich diet necessary to produce superior marbling and tenderness without the use of growth hormones, naturally.

Our Wagyu cattle grow at a natural pace and are harvested only when ready — producing beef that’s richly marbled and rich in nutrients.

Purebred Wagyu Nutritional Facts

Here’s the scoop on the biggest differences in nutrition between Purebred Wagyu Beef and American Wagyu Beef:

Better Fatty Acid Profile

  • Higher in Omega-3 fatty acids (heart healthy)

  • More CLA (linked to fat loss and immune support)

  • Better Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio

Higher in Micronutrients

  • More Vitamin A & E (antioxidants)

  • Rich in B vitamins, zinc, iron, and potassium

  • No added hormones or subtherapeutic antibiotics

  • No modified grains or confinement feeding

The result? A premium, nutrient-dense beef that’s both better for you — and raised the way nature and God intended.

Why It Matters: Know What You’re Really Buying

Most store-bought Wagyu in Georgia and across the U.S. is marketed in ways that confuse consumers. Just because it says “Wagyu” doesn’t mean it’s the real thing — or that the animal was raised humanely.

At Geary Farms Beef:

  • We’re fully transparent about our genetics and practices

  • We raise every animal on our own farm with ethical care

  • We deliver local, farm-to-table grass-fed Wagyu beef that you can trust

Ready to taste the difference in 100% pasture-raised purebred Wagyu beef?

Head back over to the home page to get on our waitlist today!

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