Parentage Discovery and verification 

Parentage Discovery and verification 

DNA parentage analysis within the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) is conducted in two stages: parent verification and, where required, parent discovery. 

Parent Verification 

Parent verification is the first step in the process and occurs when a sire and dam are nominated in a DNA test request. The calf’s genotype is compared against these nominated parents to confirm whether they are genetically compatible. 

Where both parents are successfully verified to the calf as a trio, no further action is required. If either parent, or both parents, do not match, the animal will be transferred to the Parent Discovery process. 

Parent Discovery 

Parent discovery is used to identify the correct parentage when nominated parents do not verify or when no parents have been provided. This process progresses through several stages: 

  1. Additional nominated parents – Any extra sires or dams provided are tested first, which is particularly useful in multi-sire paddocks or AI programs with backup bulls. 
  2. Herd-based search – The calf is compared against all genotyped animals within the member’s herd. 
  3. Database-wide search – If no match is found, the search is expanded to include all genotyped animals in the AWA database. 

Once complete, results will outline any parent that has been successfully identified. 

Key Points 

Parentage mismatches are not uncommon and are often the result of recording errors or multiple possible sires. The parent discovery process is designed to work through these scenarios and ensure accurate, verified parentage. 

Providing complete parent lists and ensuring all potential parents are DNA tested will help improve turnaround times and increase the likelihood of a successful match. 

Once parentage is verified, results are finalised and the animal can proceed through registration, enabling the generation of Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs). 

RELATED

DNA testing is a mandatory requirement for registering animals and accessing Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) within the database.
The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) accepts the following sample types: -Tissue Sampling Unit (TSU) -Tail hair samples -Semen samples
When extra samples are received by the lab, the lab will store (c-bank) these samples. Members can now submit a DNA test request for any animals that have a stored sample recorded. Follow the steps below to complete your submission to test a stored sample.

When your nominated parents don’t qualify in DNA testing, it can feel a bit frustrating at first but there’s a clear process in place to sort it out.

CATEGORIES

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