Collecting 400 Day Weight  

Collecting 400 Day Weight  

The 400-day weight is the live weight of animals recorded at approximately 400 days of age. It provides an indication of growth performance through the yearling stage and how animals continue to perform post-weaning. 

Weights should be collected when the average age of the mob (or contemporary group) is around 400 days, rather than targeting individual animals at exactly 400 days of age. suggested recording date can be generated for a calf drop in Helical via the dashboard ‘Tools’, including recommended dates for 200, 400, and 600-day weights. 

Requirements and Helpful Hints 

To be included in genetic evaluation, 400-day weights must meet the following criteria: 

  • Animals must be aged between 301 and 500 days at the time of recording. 
  • Weights can be collected earlier or later; however, careful consideration is required when recording close to the age limits, as some animals may fall outside the range, potentially reducing your contemporary group size. 
  • Where animals are likely to be separated for joining, consider collecting weights prior to separation to maintain contemporary group size. 
  • Be mindful that animals separated into different contemporary groups (e.g. weighed on different days) will carry through to later performance like 600-day weight and carcase traits. 

Ensure all animals within a contemporary group are weighed on the same day to avoid biased results. 

Recording Weights and Submitting the Data 

Weights should be collected using well-maintained and calibrated cattle scales. 

  • Ensure scales are set up correctly and kept clean. 
  • Remove any build-up such as mud or manure to avoid inaccurate measurements. 
  • Record weights accurately- do not estimate or use measuring tapes. 

Inaccurate weights reduce the reliability of performance data and impact the accuracy of Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs). 

Animal ID and weights (recorded to the nearest kilogram) should be entered into the Performance Template. 

Completed templates should be submitted to the AWA performance email for processing and inclusion in the WBV analysis. 

RELATED

The 600-day weight is the liveweight of animals recorded at approximately 600 days of age. It provides an indication of growth performance beyond early development and how animals perform within your production system.
Scrotal circumference is the round measurement of a bulls testicles in centimeters. Measurements can be collected on bulls between 300 and 700 days of age. Scrotal circumference is an important indicator of male fertility and is favourably correlated with female reproductive performance.
Live animal ultrasound scanning is a non-invasive technology that enables producers to assess the carcase merit of individual animals while they are still alive. This allows valuable carcase information to be collected without relying solely on chiller data.
Mature Cow Weight (MCW) is the liveweight of breeding females. It is a key measure of cow size, maintenance requirements, and overall herd efficiency.

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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