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Has there been any country bias observed in the change to WBVs?

Knowledge Centre

Has there been any country bias observed in the change to WBVs?

No bias has been observed, with consistent EBV to WBV changes seen across the Wagyu populations from different countries. 

Analysis of all data held by the AWA for Japanese Black Fullblood and Purebred animals born in Australia or the USA, demonstrates that there is no bias built into the AWA’s genetic evaluation model to favour Australian-born animals.  The table below shows the average EBVs (pre change) and WBVs (post change) for animals born in Australia and the USA. 

Table 1. Summary of EBVs vs WBVs for five key traits and the Breeder Feeder Index for all Australian born and USA born Japanese black Fullblood and Purebred animals between 2000 and 2025. 

Overall, USA born animals rank slightly higher on Marble Score and in the BFI in both EBVs and WBVs compared to Australian born animals.  This reflects that there is a higher proportion of USA animals born in the last 5 years with these animals tending to have higher BFI values than for animals born in prior years.  

The total change in average BFI from 2000 – 2025 born animals from the USA and Australia is shown in the right-hand column for BFI derived from EBVS vs. WBVs.  Again, the magnitude of change is consistent between EBVs and WBVs, depending on country of birth, with slightly more change in WBVs compared to EBVs for both USA and Australian born animals.   

A further study looked at the EBV to WBV change comparing the Australian, USA and other countries (being 14 countries including Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand). This involved Fullblood and Purebred Wagyu females born in 2024 with the total study population including 26,226 heifers with  23,359, 2,267 and 640 from the Australian, USA and Other Country populations respectively. 

The results, across EBV traits and Selection Index, again demonstrated a similar level of changes (and no bias) when comparing the Australian to the USA population (figure 1 – Marbling Score EBV example), and the Australian to Other Country population (figure 2 – marbling score EBV example).  

Figure 1 – Marbling Score EBV to WBV change comparing Fullblood and Purebred 2024 drop heifers from the Australian (black data points) and USA (Red Data Points). 

Figure 2 – Marbling Score EBV to WBV change comparing Fullblood and Purebred 2024 drop heifers from the Australian (black data points) and Other Countries (yellow data points). 

 

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

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