Research and Innovation

Research and Innovation is an important aspect of advancing Australian Wagyu.

To improve production outcomes, genetic gain, recognition and quality attributes of Wagyu, the AWA is committed to participating in projects that provide positive outcomes to the industry.
In more recent years projects have included:

  • 2021 – 2031 Progeny Test Program
  • Research and uptake of objective carcase measurements in conjunction with Meat Imaging Japan
  • Sire Progeny Net Feed Intake project
  • Wagyu Collaborative Genomics Research project
  • Crossbred Wagyu Genomics project
  • Wagyu Hub Export Project

2021 - 2031 Progeny Test Program

Progeny test programs have been the backbone of the beef industry’s genetic improvement for the past 30 years. To date, the AWA has not run a formal progeny test program. Rather, AWA has built its genetic database and reference population from the high-quality commercial genotype and performance data submitted by AWA members into the Wagyu BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation.

The AWA Progeny Test Program aims to consolidate this data and provide a formal program which 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. AWA encourages its members with Herdbook registered animals to nominate sires and dams for the largest Japanese Black Wagyu progeny test program outside Japan.

Objective Carcase Measurement

For Wagyu beef, brand promise is everything. For brand owners, brand recognition represents a known quality, and part of the key to that story is the level of marbling. Therefore, accurate grading of marbling gives consumers and brand owners clarity and confidence in the brand and the eating experience.

Currently, qualified meat graders assess beef carcases parameters including carcase weight, P8 fat depth, dentition, ossification, pH, intramuscular fat content (marble score), meat colour, fat colour and eye muscle area. Voluntary additional values can also be included to define the eating quality under Meat Standards Australia.

The existing grading system provides the industry relevant marketing and language tools needed for trade and export.  For genetic improvement of marbling in Wagyu, additional objective measurement can increase the accuracy of marbling measurement to accelerate genetic gain.

Sire Progeny Net Feed Intake Program

Wagyu feeding programs can vary from 350 to 600 days.  The benefits of efficient feeders in the feedlot is particularly important for Wagyu in order to achieve high-quality marbling and the desired carcase traits that are characteristic of Wagyu.

A quick glance over the fence won’t tell you which animal has the most economic feed intake and the greatest carcase potential. Analysis of the amount of feed eaten and the resultant carcase traits will give a far more accurate assessment, but it takes time and data.

More information

George Lubbe
General Manager, Feedlot Operations
Stockyard Lot Feeders Pty Ltd (Kerwee Feedlot)

Phone: 07 4692 2277 or 0408502787
Email: [email protected]

Carel Teseling
Australian Wagyu Association

Phone: 02 8880 7703 or 0439 368 283
Email: [email protected]

Crossbred Wagyu Genomics Project

The Crossbred Wagyu Genomics Project is obtaining genomics information and carcase information from 10,000 Wagyu cross cattle over multiple years to develop genomic tools to use for crossbred Wagyu selection and management.

The project will also investigate the combination of crossbred performance data with the existing large Fullblood Wagyu data set to determine if the Wagyu BREEDPLAN analysis can benefit from including crossbred data.

Collaborative Genetic Research Project

Delivered in two stages, the Collaborative Genomics Research Project aim was to increase the rate of genetic gain of Australian Fullblood and Purebred Wagyu at a faster rate than any other Australian beef breed within 10 years, by developing a whole of Wagyu industry genetic advancement model.

The project was delivered by the Australian Wagyu Association, with matched funding collaboration from Meat & Livestock Australia.

Two-stage delivery

STAGE 1

Completed in September 2014, data was “mined” from large cohorts of Fullblood Wagyu progeny from large commercial Wagyu producer operations, delivering some 2-3000 phenotypes depending on the trait considered to deliver preliminary Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and development of Wagyu Single-Step BREEDPLAN utilising the SNP genotypes to more accurately establish genomic relationships between animals.

STAGE 2
The Wagyu Single-Step BREEDPLAN analysis developed in Stage 1, was customised using Wagyu-specific genetic parameters, heritability and trait correlations, to produce the EBVs in Wagyu BREEDPLAN.

Predictive genomic performance tests were developed and commercialised for breeding and commercial feedlot slaughter animals along with BreedObject $Indexes. Promising young sires will be identified and their widespread use encouraged across Wagyu breeding herds supplying performance data, reducing generation interval and further increasing genetic gain.

Wagyu Hub

 

The Wagyu Export Hub Project

The project will establish an Export Hub to develop an export capability for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) working in the Australian Wagyu industry through the implementation of Japanese Meat Image carcase grading cameras.

The Hub will assist SMEs to use and develop skills in the use of these cameras to assist the Australian Wagyu Industry to build on product quality and brand recognition.

The Wagyu Hub project activities can be found by downloading the Statement of Activities.

The Wagyu Hub project is part of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science export hubs in growth industry sectors initiative. It is also a collaborative initiative with Food Innovation Australia Limited.

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 the information contained within the AWA database. 
  • WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals 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