Wagyu Progeny Test Program 2021 – 2031

PROVE YOUR NEXT GEN SIRES

2026 AWA-PTP Semen Sale Tender

The 2026 PTP Semen Sale features semen from 58 sires across Cohorts 1–6, including the exciting first release of young Cohort 6 genetics.

The 2026 sale will be conducted by Tender and will open, Friday, 24 July 2026 at 9:00am and close Friday, 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm.

The sale will be held in conjunction with agents Ray White Livestock Dalby.

How to tender

Open the PTP Semen Sale Tender Form.
Complete your member details.
Select the sire(s) you wish to bid on.
Enter your tender price per straw and the number of straws required. (Minimum purchase quantity: 10 straws per tender)
Review your details and submit your tender.

Once the sale closes, all tenders will be assessed. Successful purchasers will be notified of their allocation and contacted to arrange invoicing and shipment of their semen order.

2026 PTP SEMEN SALE CATALOGUE Tender Terms & Conditions

Importance of the AWA-PTP

The 2021-2031 AWA Progeny Test Program (AWA-PTP) will leverage the existing highly successful Wagyu Genetic Analysis through testing progeny from the maximum number of emerging industry sires for high value Wagyu sector traits. The AWA-PTP will also develop new Wagyu-specific traits for reproduction, feed efficiency, structure, carcase and eating quality.

The AWA Progeny Test Program aims to join around 2,000 females yearly to 40 different sires. To make this happen, AWA Members need to nominate their sires and/or herds to be involved in the program. To request a call back from the PTP team, click below, or continue scrolling to learn more or nominate your sire for testing in the next cohort.

NOMINATION INFORMATION

Nominate your Sire/s for the next cohort of the Wagyu Progeny Test Program.

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.

Contact

Aaron van den Heuvel

Phone 0468 331 261
Email [email protected]

Henry Newell-Hutton
Phone 02 8880 7700
Email [email protected]

Nominations for Cohort 6 are now closed

Any Australian or international based AWA member can nominate sires for the AWA-PTP, giving all AWA members the opportunity to have their sires proven through the world’s largest independent Fullblood Japanese Black Wagyu Progeny Test Program outside Japan. Bull Owners will receive improved WBVs and accuracies for current and new traits.

Entry requirements

Wagyu sires that enter the AWA-PTP must be Herdbook-registered, Fullblood or Purebred sires, nominated by Australian Wagyu Association members.

The AWA Genetic Improvement Committee, in conjunction with an independent quantitative genetics’ advisor, will make recommendations on animals to be accepted into the Project to the AWA-PTP Consultative Committee. The AWA-PTP Consultative Committee will be responsible for the selection of animals.

Recommendations will be based on the following criteria:
– Linkage within the Wagyu breed
– EBV diversity and accuracy
– Younger or unproven (low progeny number) animals are preferred, however high accuracy link-sires will also be considered
– Genetic conditions (testing for genetic conditions must be completed)
– Animal health status (proven to have tested negative for or vaccinated against Pestivirus, IBR, Vibriosis & Leptospirosis).

Please note, preference will be given to animals from members who have a high herd completeness of performance recording and data submission to the Wagyu Gentic Analysis. All nominated animals must be genomic DNA tested as recognised within the Wagyu Genetic Analysis monthly reports.

Fees, terms and conditions

Members can nominate sires under two categories

Project Standard Sire AUD $7,500 plus GST/ USD $6,500
260 semen straws to be supplied to the Project

60 straws to be retained and used by the project
200 straws will be offered for public tender as part of 20 semen packages (10 straws from each sire (maximum 20) chosen by the purchaser). Where possible, some export quality semen packages will be available for tender, however, sire selection may be limited.
30 sires will be accepted as Project standard sires each year.

Project Link Sire AUD $20,000 plus GST/USD $15,000
200 semen straws to be supplied to the project

100 straws to be used across two years, creating double the progeny numbers and enabling genetic linkage between years of the project within the analysis.
Semen from these sires will not be offered for tender, with residual straws (100) held by AWA for use in future genetic projects as Link Sires.
In the first year of the project, a maximum of 10 sires will be accepted as “Link Sires”, with subsequent years calling for five new “Link Sires” to join the existing pool of sires.

DOMESTIC (AUS) SIRE TERMS & CONDITIONS INTERNATIONAL SIRE TERMS & CONDITIONS

Thank you to our

PTP Partners

AWA-PTP Sires

The AWA-PTP has now accepted 5 cohorts of sires into the program, the full list of sires can be viewed below. To access these sires as a list on the database, click the button below.

FULL LIST OF PTP SIRES

“When the AWA announced the inaugural PTP, we jumped at the opportunity to be part of it. Particularly nominating our sire as a link sire. Not only will the program further increase the accuracy and integrity of Wagyu performance analysis, but it provides the opportunity to identify genetics that will further develop the Wagyu breed or see them go to the archives in nitrogen heaven.

The cost of nominating is irrelevant to us because the superior genetics identified will produce carcases at a premium dollar value when compared to the rest of the industry. In large operations this figure will be in the millions!

The AWA PTP is run and overseen with an accountable committee and sub committee to ensure the highest level of scrutiny and integrity when it comes to the operational side of proceedings. QGI, will remain a supporter of the AWA PTP for its entirety.”

Peter Bishop
Quality Genetics International, Year 1 Link Sire Owner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the differences between Standard Sires and Link Sires?

Standard Sires will have 260 straws supplied to the project with 60 being used to produce progeny in large cohorts. The other 200 straws from Standard Sires will be offered for sale by open public tender as a part of the AWA-PTP Semen Package Tender program which will consist of 20 semen packages with 10 straws from 20 Sires (total 200 straws per package). It is expected that Standard Sire progeny numbers and data recorded from them will be amplified through industry use.

Link Sires will have supplied 200 straws to the project with 100 being used to produce progeny in two or more cohorts, doubling the number of progeny compared to Standard Sires with guaranteed data collection for all Progeny Test Program traits. The remaining 100 straws will be retained by the AWA so that any future research can be linked to the work done in the AWA-PTP. If during the 10-years of the PTP, another trait of interest is identified that was not captured in earlier years of the project, Link Sires can be re-entered, and the new data collected. Through genetic correlations of traits and the performance of the Link Sires, Standard Sires will also benefit.

What criteria will be used to select Sires?

When selecting sires, the following will be considered: their (genetic) linkage within the Wagyu breed as well as the other nominated animals, EBV diversity & accuracy and genetic condition status.

Other considerations will include their age, with preference given to younger/unproven sires. However, high accuracy sires will also be considered for linkage and benchmarking purposes.

What criteria will be used to select females for Contributor Cow Herds?

When selecting females, the following will be considered: their (genetic) linkage within the Wagyu breed as well as the other nominated animals, EBV diversity & accuracy, age – second calf (approx. 3yo) or older preferred, and the nominating herd’s BREEDPLAN completeness of performance rating.

Who is responsible for the selection of animals?

The AWA Genetic Improvement Committee (GIC: see Board Member bios) consulted with the AWA Project Team and independent genetic advisor, Dr Samuel Clark (UNE) to review all 2021 sire nominations. With less than the targeted 40 sires nominated, all 2021 nominated sires were recommended for acceptance by the GIC to the AWA-PTP Consultative Committee. With a target of 2,000 females for the 2021 contributor herd intake, the GIC recommended all 2,083 nominated females to the AWA-PRP Consultative Committee.

The AWA-PTP Consultative Committee reviewed the recommendations of the GIC and approved all 39 nominated sires and 2,083 nominated females noting that these spanned 8 herds across NSW, QLD and WA.

The AWA-PTP Consultative Committee consists of 9 persons, 3 from the AWA and 6 from the Wagyu Sector.

How will Sires be assigned to Contributor Cow Herds?

Once Semen Sires and Contributor Herds have been selected and accepted into the Project, all sires and all cows will be pooled and run through MateSel to allocate Sires to Contributor Herds based on performance and co-ancestry.

Other parameters will include the structure of Link Sires between herds and the genetic condition status of Sires. Whilst Contributor Herds will know the identity of the sires, they will not be given the choice of which sires will be joined to the cows they nominate for the Project.

Who owns the Project Progeny?

The Contributor Herd retains ownership of all Project progeny but is required to capture all trait measurements (in cooperation with the AWA for some traits) as defined by the AWA. Heifer progeny, however, are required to be naturally mated (without the interference of artificial breeding programs e.g. flushing for IVF) and data captured on their first two calves from birth to weaning.

What options do Contributor Herds have to feedlot Steer progeny?

The AWA-PTP aims to remain flexible and give Contributor Herds the option to continue their normal process of selling, feeding, or retaining ownership of Steer Progeny within their own supply chain. It is, therefore, open to discussion with each individual Contributor Herd as to what their preference may be. However, if herds wish to capture Net Feed Intake (NFI) data on their progeny, they will have to feed their Steer progeny through one of the AWA-nominated feedlots.

Regardless of what Contributor Herds choose, it is vital that Steers remain in their management groups (contemporary groups) from birth until slaughter.

How is the 10-year Project being funded?

Funding will be accrued over the lifetime of the Project and will comprise roughly equal contributions from Sire Entry Fees, Semen Tender proceeds and AWA retained assets.

These funds will be invested into the project to pay for the breeding, testing and trait recording for the maximum number of traits for all progeny.

Why do Sire Owners pay entry frees if AWA is selling straws?

The Sire Owners who nominate sires are the primary beneficiaries of the program as the AWA-PTP’s main purpose is to progeny test and prove the maximum number of new sires.

Two thirds (2/3) of the fund required to run the Project are generated from the Sire Entry Fees and the Semen Tender proceeds. These funds will be invested into the Project to ensure the optimal number of progeny are produced and effective measurements on the maximum number of traits are captured. The Project’s aim is to prove the Sires and contribute positively to the future genetic progress of the Breed.

Objectives of the project

Progeny test programs have been the backbone of the beef industry’s genetic improvement for the past 30 years. To date, AWA has built its genetic database and reference population from the high-quality genotype and performance data submitted by AWA members into the Wagyu Genetic Evaluation.

The Project aims to consolidate this data and provide a formal program that aligns with Goal Two of the 2020 – 2025 AWA Strategic Plan: Advance and protect our critical genetic resources.

This will be achieved through large-scale testing of progeny from diverse sire genetics sourced from the global Wagyu sector and the Australian Wagyu cow herd.

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

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

PTP Updates

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Cohort 6 AWA Progeny Test Program – Sire Nominations Now Open

PTP

Expressions of Interest to Evaluate Red Wagyu Genetics in Progeny Test Program

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Who are the PTP Cohort 5 sires?

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Join the AWA Progeny Test Program as a Contributor Herd

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Sunland and the AWA-PTP

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AWA's Progeny Test Program - Insights from COHORTS 1-4

Discover how the AWA Progeny Test Program is enhancing genetic accuracy across the Wagyu herd, with updates from Cohorts 1–4 and valuable insights into contemporary group data analysis.

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AWA PTP Full List of Contributor Herds and Year 1 Sires.

AWA-PTP creates a global reference population for Wagyu

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AWA-Progeny Test Program officially commences

AWA-PTP creates a global reference population for Wagyu

PTP Updates

PTP

Cohort 6 AWA Progeny Test Program – Sire Nominations Now Open

PTP

Expressions of Interest to Evaluate Red Wagyu Genetics in Progeny Test Program

Technical

Who are the PTP Cohort 5 sires?

Technical

Join the AWA Progeny Test Program as a Contributor Herd

Technical

Sunland and the AWA-PTP

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AWA's Progeny Test Program - Insights from COHORTS 1-4

Discover how the AWA Progeny Test Program is enhancing genetic accuracy across the Wagyu herd, with updates from Cohorts 1–4 and valuable insights into contemporary group data analysis.

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AWA PTP Full List of Contributor Herds and Year 1 Sires.

AWA-PTP creates a global reference population for Wagyu

Breeding

AWA-Progeny Test Program officially commences

AWA-PTP creates a global reference population for Wagyu

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IMPORTANT NOTICE - Terms & Conditions

It is a condition of use of this database that you accept these terms and conditions.

It is important that you appreciate when accessing the Australian Wagyu Association Limited (AWA) database (which may be hosted on an external website) that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) and Index values (together called Database Information), is based on data supplied by AWA members and/or third parties. 

Whilst sincere effort is made to ensure the Database Information is accurate and complete, to the extent permitted by law, AWA, its officers and employees, shall not be responsible for its use or interpretation, and you use the Database Information at your own risk. Please be aware of the following limitations of the Database Information.

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

WBVs are derived using genetic evaluation technology developed for the AWA, using information contained within the AWA database and parameters derived from it.
WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may change with addition of new data or with new parameters.
WBVs are genetic merit estimates only and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
WBVs can only be directly compared to other WBVs calculated in the same AWA genetic analysis.

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

Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which AWA used to register the animal were obtained from a Recognised Wagyu Registry Organisation – in other words a Wagyu breed association based outside of Australia. AWA has not independently verified the information with respect to the animal or the details recorded about the animal. You should read AWA’s by-laws which set out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal. 
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 genetic issues or inaccuracies which were previously not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology (i.e. if the animal was tested again with current 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 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.

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

As genetic testing results are provided by independent DNA testing laboratories at the request of AWA members, AWA relies solely on the accuracy of the reporting of genetic testing as completed by the laboratories. 
AWA uses GeneProb software to calculate the likelihood of pedigree animals being a carrier of genetic conditions. This likelihood is an estimate based on the available genetic testing results.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and/or implications of the data provided on this website or the WBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek expert advice.  Note there is substantial technical information and articles on the Wagyu website to assist our members.

AWA’s liability for any loss or damage, consequential or otherwise, suffered or incurred by you or your related business, arising directly or indirectly from your use of Database Information, to the extent permitted by law, is limited to AWA providing you with a refund for the fees paid for the service (if any), or AWA re-performing the service, where possible, at the election of AWA.

AWA administers this database in good faith to support AWA members and the industry. AWA does not represent or warrant that the animals recorded in this database, or animals breed from them, will achieve any particular genetic or phenotype performance.

THIS DISCLAIMER HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 03/02/2026, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ IT IN DETAIL