The Australian Wagyu Association has implemented four world-leading Selection $Indexes - a significant step forward for Wagyu breeders to achieve faster rates of genetic gain and selection for profitability in Wagyu.
Changes to Selection Indexes and New Genomic Tools
AWA Selection Indexes:
The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) is implementing changes to its Selection Indexes as follows:
- AbacusBio have calculated new parameter for Fullblood Wagyu Selection Indexes; leading to an
- Updated Wagyu Breeder Feeder Index as it is now using the new Fullblood parameters;
- New Fullblood Terminal Index using the new Fullblood parameters and AbacusBio economic models; and
- New F1 Terminal Index using new F1 parameters and AbacusBio economic models.
BFI = AbacusBio Wagyu Breeder Feeder Index
FTI = AbacusBio Fullblood Terminal Index
F1TI = AbacusBio F1 Terminal Index
SRI = BreedObject Self Replacing Index
There is no current change to the AWA SRI, which still uses the prior parameter inputs derived in 2018 and the BreedObject economic model. The SRI will now be phased out over the coming 6 months as its’ parameter development is unable to be updated as required by the AWA.
New Genomic Inbreeding and Genomic Diversity Tools:Â
The AWA Board has approved new genomic tools that utilize Wagyu genotype data to provide accurate inbreeding and genetic diversity measures:
- Genomic Inbreeding:Â Which is calculated from analysing runs of homozygosity (blocks of DNA with no allelic variance) using genomic profiles; and
- Genomic Diversity: Which is calculated by comparing the SNP by SNP variation across an animals entire genomic profile against that of the current female breeding population.
The Breeder-Feeder Index (BFI) was released in February 2024 and is a new balanced Selection Index, to assist Wagyu breeders to select the most profitable animals in a self-replacing herd, whilst better managing birth weight, milk production, and mature cow weight.
The Breeder-Feeder Index:
- Promotes a high growth response, especially for post-weaning gain/Carcase Weight;
- Reduces the number of high ranking extreme high and low Birth Weight EBV sires;
- Delivers positive emphasis for Milk and Scrotal Size;
- Applies a slight negative emphasis on high Mature Cow Weight while strongly positively emphasising Carcase Weight; whilst also
- Providing a high selection response for Marble Score.