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AWA DATABASE

Which of your sires is a star performer?

2024 PTP SIRE NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Friday, 19 January 2024

The Australian Wagyu Association Progeny Test Program (AWA-PTP) is making huge progress in enhancing Wagyu genetics throughout the industry. The aims of the PTP are:

  1. Generate comprehensive progeny test data on approximately 250 emerging Wagyu bulls.
  2. Capture data on approximately 3,500 female progeny for new and hard to measure traits including female fertility and maternal performance.
  3. Capture data on approximately 3,500 steer progeny for feed efficiency and structure as well as new carcase and eating quality traits.
  4. Produce high-accuracy EBVs for Project Sires and Contributor Cow Herds as well as benefit the rest of the Wagyu population using genomic analysis and genetic linkage.
  5. Improve outcomes of breeding decisions and increase the rate of genetic gain within the Wagyu breed.
  6. Expand the diversity and size of the reference population for the Wagyu breed, leveraging the AWA genomic, pedigree and performance data.

Nominations are open to AWA members for your sire/s to be considered for Cohort 4 of the AWA Progeny Test Program. The AWA Progeny Test Program aims to join around 2,000 females yearly to 40 different sires.

Participation is encouraged from domestic and international-born Fullblood and Purebred sires. Animals may be nominated by the AWA member (owner) who has legal ownership of the animal/s and/or represents the interests of all owners and wishes to nominate for participation in the Project in agreement with the terms and conditions of the Project.‌

  • Generate large effective progeny groups without the need for your own cow herd
  • Want to know if your new young sire stacks up with the leading edge of industry?

The significance of the AWA-PTP contributor herds

The AWA-PTP is built upon the foundation of contributor herds, and they are carefully selected based on their genetic material with the aim of improving desirable traits in the next generation of Wagyu cattle.

Genetic diversity – representing a diverse genetic pool within Wagyu. Diversity within and across contributor herds ensures that the PTP covers a broad spectrum of genetic variations within the breed, which is essential for identifying superior genetics and traits.

Accuracy – providing a larger sample size for evaluation.
More animals from diverse backgrounds contribute to a more accurate assessment of heritable traits. This data is crucial for identifying sires that pass on desirable traits to their offspring and the accuracy of these values.

Reliability – by involving multiple herds, the PTP minimises biases that might occur from data collected from a single source. It ensures that the observations and measurements, such as weights, are more representative of overall performance rather than specific to one environment or management system.

Longterm Genetic Improvement – continual assessment and selection based on data collected from contributor herds contribute to the long-term genetic improvement of the Wagyu breed due to genetic linkage. It helps all breeders make informed decisions about which animals to select for breeding to enhance desirable traits in future generations.

 

Data from the participating contributor herds is extremely valuable in proving up the next generation of sires. Our contributor herds are located across Australia. The geographic spread of these contributor herds enhances the diversity of genetic inputs, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of Wagyu traits across different environments and management practices.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Important Notice and Disclaimer

It is very important that you appreciate when viewing the AWA database that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and Index values, is based on data supplied by members and/or third parties.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information reported through AWA, AWA officers and employees assume no responsibility for its content, use or interpretation. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the use by you of the data on this AWA database and the information supplied by ABRI and AGBU being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

Regarding EBVs and Index values, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

  • EBVs are derived using Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN technology developed independently by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), using the information contained within the AWA database.
  • AGBU is a joint venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England, which receives funding for this purpose from Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
  • AWA relies solely on advice provided by AGBU and ABRI in accepting Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN software.
  • EBVs published in Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
  • EBVs can only be directly compared to other EBVs calculated in the same monthly Wagyu Group BREEDPLAN analysis.

Regarding pedigree and DNA testing results submitted to the AWA, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

  • Pedigree and DNA data submitted and supplied to AWA may have errors in it which cannot be detected without further DNA testing.
  • Technology may have advanced since a particular test was undertaken so that previous inaccuracies which were not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology.
  • AWA estimates that less than 1% of the pedigree entries, ownership or breeding details in the AWA Herdbook may have errors or which may be misleading. For this reason, users ought to consider if they need to obtain independent testing of the relevant animal (if possible) to ensure that the data is accurate.

Regarding prefectural content, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

  • Prefectural content is based on the estimation of prefectural origin from Japanese breeding records of 201 foundation sires and 168 foundation dams.  As genotype-based parent verification is not used in Japan, and full Japanese registration certificates are not available for all foundation animals, exact prefectural composition for these sires and dams cannot be validated.
  • The calculation of prefectural content for Australian Herdbook animals relies on the accuracy of pedigree records and DNA samples provided by AWA members.
  • The reporting of prefectural content for animals within the AWA Herdbook relies on the calculation provided by ABRI.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and extent of the data provided on this website or the EBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek independent expert advice.

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