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From EBVs to WBVs: What?

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From EBVs to WBVs: What?

Overview

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) is undertaking a major advancement in genetic evaluation by transitioning from BREEDPLAN Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs). This change represents a planned and deliberate upgrade to a Wagyu-specific genetic evaluation system, designed to better utilise the scale, depth, and uniqueness of Wagyu data now held by AWA .

WBVs will replace EBVs from February 2026 and will become the sole breeding values published by AWA.

AWA Is Moving Away from EBVs

BREEDPLAN EBVs have provided a strong foundation for genetic evaluation across the Australian beef industry. However, Wagyu production systems, trait priorities, and data structures differ fundamentally from those of other breeds.

Since the last BREEDPLAN parameter update in 2022, AWA’s data resources have expanded rapidly:

  • The number of animals analysed has almost tripled in six years
  • Genotyped animals have increased by more than 600%
  • Carcase trait records have expanded dramatically through the MIJ camera program
  • New Wagyu-specific traits (e.g. modern marbling fineness and fatty acid profiles) are becoming available

At this scale, reliance on prior parameter assumptions was no longer optimal. AWA required a system that could:

  • Use Wagyu-only genetic parameters
  • Fully integrate fullblood, purebred, and crossbred Wagyu data
  • Harness dense genomic information more efficiently
  • Adapt quickly as new traits and data streams are introduced

WBVs were developed in response to these needs following a four-year program of system renewal approved and governed by the AWA Board .

 

What Are Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs)?

WBVs are AWA’s new genetic evaluation outputs, developed specifically for Wagyu cattle and Wagyu production systems. They are generated using:

  • Wagyu-only genetic parameters
  • A fully integrated multi-trait, multi-breed evaluation
  • The largest Wagyu genotype and phenotype dataset globally
  • High-density genomic information from animals with varying Wagyu content

WBVs remain conceptually similar to EBVs: they describe genetic differences between animals, not absolute performance. However, the underlying models are now purpose-built for Wagyu.

 

Key Technical Improvements in WBVs

  1. Wagyu-Specific Trait Relationships
    WBVs use trait correlations estimated solely from Wagyu data. This corrects limitations in previous EBV models where some trait relationships (e.g. Milk and Eye Muscle Area) were poorly aligned with observed Wagyu performance.
  2. Improved Carcase Trait Modelling
    Carcase traits such as Marble Score, Marbling Fineness, Eye Muscle Area, Rib Fat, and Carcase Weight are now analysed in a full multi-trait Wagyu-only framework, improving accuracy and biological realism .
  3. Better Use of Crossbred Data
    Thousands of F1–F3 Wagyu carcase records are now more effectively utilised, strengthening predictions for both seedstock and commercial breeding decisions.
  4. Genomics at Scale
    WBVs more efficiently integrate genomic data from all animals with Wagyu content, increasing accuracy earlier in life and improving ranking stability as data accumulates.
  5. Faster Delivery of Results
    The new evaluation pipeline allows WBVs to be generated weekly, significantly reducing turnaround time from DNA testing and registration to published results .

Changes Breeders Will See

  • Most WBVs are highly correlated with existing EBVs, particularly for growth traits, Carcase Weight, and Marble Score. Major re-ranking is not expected for high-accuracy animals.
  • The Milk EBV becomes “Maternal Weaning Weight” WBV, reflecting the maternal contribution to calf growth to weaning, rather than milk production alone. This trait uses corrected Wagyu-specific parameters and will re-rank some animals.
  • Eye Muscle Area WBVs will change for some animals due to updated and more accurate Wagyu trait relationships.
  • Marbling Fineness WBV will transition to the New Fineness Index derived from MIJ camera technology, better capturing fineness at modern high marble scores. It will have an expanded range for reporting WBVs.
  • A new feed efficiency trait, Net Feed Intake, will become available as WBVs.

Selection Indexes

AWA will continue to publish:

  • Breeder Feeder Index (BFI)
  • Fullblood Terminal Index
  • F1 Terminal Index

Index structures and economic weightings remain unchanged; however, index values will reflect improvements in the underlying WBVs, particularly for lower-accuracy animals .

What This Means for Wagyu Breeding

The transition to WBVs ensures that AWA’s genetic evaluation:

  • Reflects modern Wagyu production realities
  • Uses the full value of Wagyu-specific data
  • Improves accuracy, relevance, and confidence in selection decisions
  • Positions Wagyu breeders at the global forefront of beef genetics

EBVs will be discontinued in early February 2026. From that point onward, WBVs will be the sole genetic evaluation published by AWA, supported by member training and technical resources.

Important Notice and Disclaimer

It is very important that you appreciate when viewing the AWA database that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and Index values, is based on data supplied by members and/or third parties.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information reported through AWA, AWA officers and employees assume no responsibility for its content, use or interpretation. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the use by you of the data on this AWA database and the information supplied by ABRI and AGBU being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

Regarding EBVs and Index values, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

  • EBVs are derived using Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN technology developed independently by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), using the information contained within the AWA database.
  • AGBU is a joint venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England, which receives funding for this purpose from Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
  • AWA relies solely on advice provided by AGBU and ABRI in accepting Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN software.
  • EBVs published in Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
  • EBVs can only be directly compared to other EBVs calculated in the same monthly Wagyu Group BREEDPLAN analysis.

 

Regarding pedigree and DNA testing results submitted to the AWA, it is very 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 Australia Wagyu Association Limited (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 sets out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal.
  • Future events cannot be predicted accurately. AWA makes no statements, representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any information contained in the registration details of this animal or their capability to achieve any purpose. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability for negligence) for all claims, expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the information set out in the registration details of this animal for any reason being inaccurate or incomplete in any way or incapable of achieving any purpose.
  • 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 previous inaccuracies which were not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing 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 very 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.
  • The reporting of prefectural content for animals within the AWA Herdbook relies on the calculation provided by ABRI.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and extent of the data provided on this website or the EBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek independent expert advice.

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