AGM and Technical Workshop

13 - 14 November 2023

AGM and Technical Workshop

Join the AWA team for the 2023 technical workshop, lab tours and AWA AGM in Brisbane, Queensland.

Starting with two lab tours to leaders in their respective genetic and reproduction technologies fields, Neogen and Vytelle. (Monday 13 November  – 2 pm to 4 pm and Tuesday 14 November  – 8 am to 9 am).

Following the lab tour on Tuesday, split across two sessions, the pre-AGM workshop commences from 10 am at the Brisbane Airport Convention Centre. Industry experts including Bobby Miller (Ruminati), Danny De Rosa (MEQ) and Ced Wise (Ced Wise Artificial Breeding) will be joined by the AWA team to discuss farm carbon baselining, objective technology for live and carcase grading and practical comparisons of MOET and IVF in Wagyu breeding.

After the workshop, the AWA Annual General Meeting will be held, followed by an AGM dinner at SkyLounge Ibis International, sponsored by Rangers Valley.

Program

AWA LAB TOURS

TOUR ONE (NEOGEN LAB)
Monday 13 November, 2 pm to 4 pm
14 Hume Drive,
Bundamba, Queensland

Tour Australia’s largest genomics facility, the Neogen Australasia lab at Ipswich in Queensland. Neogen Australasia has consolidated its genomics, food safety and animal safety services in one purpose-built location, which opened in September 2022.

You must RSVP to join this tour


 

TOUR TWO (VYTELLE LAB)
Tuesday 14 November, 8 am to 9 am
17 Bluestone Circuit,
Seventeen Mile Rocks Queensland

The Brisbane-based laboratory brings accessibility to modern reproduction technology like never before to Australia’s eastern states’ beef herds. Vytelle’s hormone-free in vitro fertilisation process, including their proprietary media, will deliver high-quality embryos to producers, allowing them to make more valuable calves faster to maximise sustainability.

You must RSVP to join this tour

WORKSHOP (Sessions 1 and 2)

Tuesday 14 November
Brisbane Airport Convention Centre

SESSION ONE (10 am to 12.30 pm)

Farm carbon baselining using the Ruminati App
Bobby Miller, Ruminati

Objective technology for live and carcase grading
Danny De Rosa, MEQ

Wagyu Feeder Check updates and improvements
Matt McDonagh, AWA

 

SESSION TWO (1 pm to 3 pm)

AWA-PTP progeny performance outcomes
Katie Dailey, AWA

AWA genetic diversity measurements
Carel Teseling, AWA

Practical comparisons of MOET and IVF in Wagyu Breeding
Ced Wise, Ced Wise Artificial Breeding

Morning, afternoon tea and lunch to be served in the foyer during breaks

 

AWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 14 November, 3 pm
Brisbane Airport Convention Centre

 

AGM DINNER

Kindly sponsored by Rangers Valley
Tuesday 14 November, 6 pm
SkyLounge Terrace Ibis International

 

 

To attend one or all of these events, please RSVP by Monday 6 November 2023

 

Technical Workshop

On Tuesday 15 November, the Australian Wagyu Association hosted a technical workshop, exploring nutrition, management and genetic improvement/breeding programs in Wagyu.

Industry experts shared their insights, experiences and challenges. Presentations were recorded during the workshop and available to watch on-demand.

Topics covered

  • Development of crush-side sequencing and next generation tools for genetic improvement in cattle
  • Immune Ready program and new tools for health and resilience of Wagyu cattle
  • Wagyu MSA Model – update on analysis of Wagyu effects on eating quality in MSA
  • Using Matesel to optimise breeding decisions across a herd

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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.