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Net Feed Intake (NFI) WBV

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Net Feed Intake (NFI) WBV

Key Points

  • Net Feed Intake is a measure feed efficiency, independent of growth and size.
  • Lower NFI WBVs are more favourable, indicating less feed required.
  • The NFI WBV is a powerful tool to improve profitability and sustainability in Wagyu production systems.

 

Overview

Feed efficiency is one of the most critical drivers of profitability in Wagyu production, particularly in long-fed systems where feed represents the largest variable cost.

The Net Feed Intake (NFI) Wagyu Breeding Value (WBV) has been developed by the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) to provide breeders with a direct genetic tool to improve feed efficiency, enabling selection of animals that require less feed for the same level of production.

This WBV is part of the AWA’s next-generation genetic evaluation framework, designed specifically for Wagyu using large-scale phenotypic, pedigree and genomic datasets.

 

What is Net Feed Intake?

Net Feed Intake (NFI) is a measure of feed efficiency that describes the difference between how much feed an animal consumes and how much it is expected to consume based on its size and growth rate.

  • Negative (lower) NFI values → Animal consumes less feed than expected (more efficient)
  • Positive (higher) NFI values → Animal consumes more feed than expected (less efficient)

A key feature of NFI is that it is independent of growth rate and body size, allowing fair comparison between animals without confounding efficiency with growth traits.

This distinguishes NFI from traditional measures such as feed conversion ratio, which are closely linked to growth and mature size.

 

Why the NFI WBV Matters in Wagyu

Historically, feed efficiency has been improved indirectly by selecting for growth or carcase weight. However, this approach has limitations in Wagyu systems:

  • Long feeding periods amplify any inefficiencies
  • Selection for growth can increase size and maintenance costs
  • Animals with similar growth can vary significantly in feed intake

The NFI WBV allows breeders to target efficiency, identifying animals with genetics that convert feed more efficiently without compromising growth or carcase outcomes.  This is particularly important in Wagyu production, where profitability is closely tied to feed utilisation over extended feeding periods.

 

How to Interpret the NFI WBV

The NFI WBV is expressed in kilograms of feed per day (kg/day) and describes the expected genetic difference in feed intake between animals under comparable conditions.

Key interpretation principles

  • Lower (more negative) WBVs are more favourable
  • Values indicate relative genetic differences between animals, as expressed in the progeny, not absolute feed intake.

Example: A sire with an NFI WBV of –0.5 kg/day is expected to produce progeny that consume 0.4 kg/day less feed than progeny from a sire with a +0.3 kg/day WBV, assuming similar weight and growth rate (note – progeny difference expressed as half the difference in WBVs).

 

Important considerations

  • NFI should be considered alongside other WBVs (growth, carcase quality, fertility). I.e. avoid single trait selection. Note – NFI is not currently considered in the AWA Selection Indexes.
  • Overall selection emphasis should align with the production system and market.
  • Differences between animals are more important than the absolute value.

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

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