Wagyu Progeny Test Program | Australian Wagyu Association

Sire & Contributor Herd Nominations

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 or to nominate your sire, please click the links below.

REQUEST A CALL BACK NOMINATION INFORMATION

“Quality Genetics International (QGI) employs strict selection criteria when breeding and sourcing genetics. To achieve this, breeders of Wagyu must have high quality and accurate performance analysis. QGI is already conducting or participating in five independent progeny test programs around the world so that the genetics we own can have their performance analysis further validated with the highest integrity.

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

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 BREEDPLAN 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 EBVs 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.

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Dr Kirsty Moore comparing of Wagyu Genomics to other breeds

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can AWA Members who are not Wagyu BREEDPLAN members still participate?

Semen Sire Owners do not need to be members of Wagyu BREEDPLAN as the progeny data will be uploaded by the Contributor Cow Herd. BREEDPLAN EBVs are automatically calculated and published for all registered sires, based on their progeny data.

To submit data to BREEDPLAN, Contributor Herd Owners must be a Wagyu BREEDPLAN Member.

Enrolling for BREEDPLAN is free for full financial members of the AWA. Contact the office to get your copy of the AWA BREEDPLAN Membership form. Phone +61 (0)2 8880 7700.

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.