Global interest continues in 2021 for Elite Wagyu genetics

The 2021 Australian Wagyu Association’s Elite Wagyu Sale held on 28 April 2021, continued to highlight the global strength of the Association’s Wagyu BREEDPLAN estimated breeding values (EBVs) and genomic analysis to an ever-increasing domestic and international Wagyu sector market.

Consistent with prior years, the international interest in the Sale was high, with international buyers bidding on almost all Lots, and taking seven of the 45 Lots on offer – to the UK, Switzerland, Ireland and the US. More than 160 registered bidders participated in the live and online auction.

Topping the sale, was a Fullblood heifer PSKFR0007 from Sunnyside Wagyu, snapped up for $65,000 by Amberoo Wagyu. The 10-month-old heifer whose bloodline traces back through Macquarie Wagyu’ Coates Itoshigenami G113, was recently joined to a son of Macquarie’s Y408, who features in the top 1% of the 600-day weight gain EBV.

The dominance of new generation genetics was on display, including Macquarie Wagyu’s G133 who as a third-generation carcase sire with 127 Fullblood carcase progeny records, has 60% of his progeny achieve a marble score of more than 9. The semen straws topped the semen lots at $50,000 per straw, sold to US based Synergy Wagyu.

In the bull category, the top price was gained for Olive Grove Wagyu’s OGWFR18, a Fullblood son of Sumo’s Michifuku L195 with a Self-Replacing Index value of more than $300, achieving a $55,000 sale price at the fall of the hammer.

Switzerland’s Marcel Merz continued to strengthen the genetics of his Top Wagyu herd, with the top bid of $2,900 per embryo for a Lot of four embryos offered by Amberoo Wagyu. Of the flush Lots, UK Wagyu buyer Paul Angelides bought two Lots at $18,000 each from Shokunin Wagyu.

Australian Wagyu Association CEO, Dr Matt McDonagh, said that: “It is clear that the international and domestic market for elite Wagyu genetics is strong and has been reflected in the level of interest shown in the 2021 Elite Wagyu Sale, and in recent private Wagyu sales. It is a credit to our members that our Herdbook and EBVs provide the global benchmark for Wagyu Genetic evaluation and the core resource for continued progress in Wagyu.”

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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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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