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Retail Beef Yield EBV/WBV Discontinued

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Retail Beef Yield EBV/WBV Discontinued

Background

The Retail Beef Yield (RBY) EBV originally calculated through BREEDPLAN, was historically developed on a limited dataset of Angus carcases.  The standard parameters for the RBY EBV have been applied across breeds within the BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation pipeline with no breed-specific data to validate the trait in Wagyu.

 

Limitations for providing a Retail Beef Yield WBV for Wagyu

As AWA has moved to its own genetic evaluation to produce WBVs for Wagyu breeders that solely reflect Wagyu data relationships,  it is no longer appropriate to publish a genetic estimate for RBY with no underpinning Wagyu data.

Retail Beef Yield as a trait (the proportion of retail saleable meat from a carcase), is also not the trait that the Wagyu industry uses to represent product yield from carcases.

Boxed primal yield is the trait that the Wagyu industry uses to measure the proportion of the carcase that is sold as meat.  This is a wholesale trait, rather than a retail trait, where brand-owners are largely paid based on the wholesale price of boxed primals.  Wagyu primals are fabricated into retail cuts in very different ways within individual markets all over the world.

 

Unique characteristics of Wagyu carcases

Beef yield from a Wagyu carcase is different compared to other beef breeds,  primarily due to biological and carcass-composition difference not related to meat processing efficiency.

 

  1. Extreme intramuscular fat (marbling)
  • Wagyu are genetically selected for very high intramuscular fat (IMF), often exceeding 50% of eye muscle area.
  • While higher marbling improves palatability, tenderness, and flavour, fat weighs less than lean meat and acts against increasing lean meat weight on a volume:volume basis.

 

  1. Higher total fat deposition
  • Wagyu deposit fat earlier and more extensively, not just within muscle but also:
    • Subcutaneous fat
    • Intermuscular fat
    • Kidney–pelvic–heart (KPH) fat
  • Much of this fat is trimmed away during fabrication.

 

  1. Different carcase musculature
    Compared to British breeds (eg Angus), Continental breeds (e.g., Charolais, Limousin) and Tropically Adapted breeds (eg Brahman):
  • Wagyu have different body shape and pattern of muscle development, with finer bone structure.
  • Wagyu have a higher proportion of muscle mass in the forequarter and loin compared to hind-quarter cuts.

With a higher propensity for fore-quarter and loin cuts to marble in Wagyu compared to hind-quarter cuts, this results in higher value and quality in these cuts in Wagyu.

 

  1. Later physiological maturity
  • Wagyu are commonly fed longer to maximize marbling.
  • Extended days on high energy feed and unique nutrient partitioning toward fat rather than lean tissue

Wagyu specific production system differences mean that yield parameters estimated for other breeds using different production systems, different ages and different physiological maturity are not likely to be accurate for Wagyu.

 

Developing A Clearer Biological Definition

The Australian Wagyu Association will be looking to develop projects to allow assessment of boxed primal yield and/or derivatives of this trait on a cut-by-cut basis.  This work is important to develop carcase value models that properly reflect the unique characteristics of Wagyu carcases.

 

Immediate impact

The RBY EBV will not be replaced by an RBY WBV.  The RBY EBV was derived from relationships with traits determined in other breeds.  It was not used in AWA selection indexes.  As a result, removing the RBY EBV will have no impact on AWA selection Indexes.

AWA will be working to develop a new WBV to estimate the value of meat from Wagyu carcases through undertaking new research on behalf of AWA members.

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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