Parentage mating’s – why did the sire and dam qualify individually to my calf but have failed as a Calf/Sire/Dam mating trio?

Parentage mating’s – why did the sire and dam qualify individually to my calf but have failed as a Calf/Sire/Dam mating trio?

Parentage analysis is conducted in-house using either a Genomic SNPs (50,000 – 100,000 SNPs) or Parentage SNPs (500 SNPs). This analysis compares the SNP profiles between offspring and parents to identify both common and conflicting SNPs. Conflicting SNPs are those present in one sample but not in another.

To pass a parentage analysis, the total number of conflicting SNPs between a single parent and offspring must not exceed the AWA accepted threshold. Additionally, a parentage analysis compares both parents together with the offspring – this is what we call a mating trio. For this mating trio to pass, the total number of conflicting SNPs, again, must not exceed the AWA accepted thresholds. Sometimes, Occasionally, individual parents may qualify as a parent but may fail as a mating trio. There are several reasons that this could happen, however the most common reason (particularly if the exclusion sits just outside the accepted threshold) is that one or more of the animals in the mating trio have a low “call rate” on their genotype (IE: the genotype is lower quality). The lower the quality of the genotype, the less SNP markers there are that are comparable between the trio. In this instance if one ore more of the animals are tested on Parentage SNPs only, then the instance of failed mating trios is much higher as the number of comparable SNP markers is dramatically reduced.

To ensure successful parent verification, it is crucial to submit provide a viable sample free of contamination, and use the highest SNP count possible. For this reason, genomic SNPs are preferred for parent verification over parentage SNPs.

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:

  • 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.