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The new Wagyu Net Feed Intake WBV

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The new Wagyu Net Feed Intake WBV

Introducing Feed Efficiency into the Wagyu Genetic Evaluation

Feed costs represent the single largest variable expense in Wagyu beef production, particularly in long-fed and fullblood finishing systems. Improving feed efficiency is therefore one of the most powerful levers available to increase profitability and sustainability across the Wagyu value chain.

To address this, the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) has introduced a Net Feed Intake (NFI) WBV, providing breeders with a genetic tool to select animals that require less feed to achieve the same level of production.

The introduction of the NFI WBV reflects major advances in Wagyu-specific data availability, genomic coverage, and genetic evaluation capability that were not previously sufficient to support a reliable feed efficiency trait.

 

What Is Net Feed Intake?

Net Feed Intake is a measure of feed efficiency, describing how much feed an animal consumes relative to what would be expected for its level of production.

In simple terms:

  • Animals with lower (more negative) NFI values consume less feed than expected based on their bodyweight and growth rate
  • Animals with higher (more positive) NFI values consume more feed than expected based on their bodyweight and growth rate

Importantly, NFI is independent of growth and body size. This distinguishes it from traits such as feed intake or average daily gain, which are strongly influenced by how big or fast-growing an animal is.

 

Why a Net Feed Intake WBV Is Needed in Wagyu

Limitations of Traditional Growth-Based Selection

Historically, feed efficiency improvements were pursued indirectly by selecting for faster growth or heavier carcase weight. While effective in some systems, this approach has limitations in Wagyu, where:

  • Extended feeding periods magnify inefficiencies
  • Selection for growth alone can increase mature size and maintenance costs
  • Feed intake varies widely among animals with similar growth performance

NFI allows breeders to identify animals that convert feed more efficiently without compromising growth or carcase outcomes.

 

Development of the NFI WBV

Phenotypic Data Collection

The NFI WBV is derived from over 2,000 controlled feed intake and performance records, typically generated in feedlot environments where:

  • Individual animal feed intake is measured
  • Growth rate, body weight, and other performance traits are recorded
  • Environmental effects are tightly controlled

These phenotypes are critical, as feed efficiency cannot be reliably inferred from feedlot growth data because individual feed intake is not recorded in commercial pens.

 

Genetic Evaluation Framework

The NFI WBV is calculated using:

  • Wagyu-specific genetic parameters
  • A multi-trait model incorporating growth, intake, and carcase traits
  • Genomic information to improve accuracy and connectivity across the population

In Wagyu, genomics plays a particularly important role, allowing feed efficiency information from a limited number of measured animals to inform predictions across a much larger population due to the high relatedness of the population.

 

Relationship to Other Traits

One of the defining advantages of NFI is its independence from production traits.

Under the AWA genetic evaluation:

  • NFI shows minimal genetic correlation with growth traits
  • NFI is largely independent of carcase weight
  • Selection for lower NFI does not inherently reduce marbling, although there is a weak negative correlation

This means breeders can select for improved feed efficiency without unintended negative consequences for traits central to Wagyu value.

 

Interpreting the NFI WBV

Direction of Selection

  • Lower (more negative) NFI WBVs are favourable
  • A difference of one unit in NFI WBV represents a meaningful genetic difference in feed consumption over a standard feeding period

Breeders should focus on relative differences between animals rather than absolute values.

 

Accuracy Considerations

As with all WBVs:

  • Accuracy reflects the amount and quality of information contributing to the estimate
  • Accuracy will improve as more Wagyu feed intake data is collected

Given the cost and complexity of intake measurement for this trait, only limited information is currently available.  This data will continue to increase through the AWA PTP.  Based on the 2,000 records currently evaluated, significant trait correlations have already been determined and these are used in the genetic evaluation to produce NFI WBVs.  Animals linked to performance data will have higher accuracy WBVs.

 

Practical Use in Wagyu Breeding Programs

For breeders, the NFI WBV enables:

  • Selection of sires that transmit superior feed efficiency
  • Improved economic efficiency in commercial progeny
  • Differentiation of genetics beyond growth and carcase performance alone

 

For commercial Wagyu production:

  • Lower NFI genetics rare expected to reduce feed costs per kilogram of carcase
  • Potential reductions in environmental footprint through lower feed demand

These benefits compound over long feeding periods typical of Wagyu systems.

 

Why the NFI WBV Is Being Introduced Now

The NFI WBV is being introduced now because:

  • Sufficient Wagyu-specific feed intake data has been accumulated
  • Genomic connectivity allows reliable population-wide prediction
  • AWA now operates an independent genetic evaluation pipeline

 

Conclusion

The introduction of the Net Feed Intake WBV provides Wagyu breeders with a new tool to improve profitability and sustainability, by identifying animals that require less feed for the same level of performance.  As net feed intake data records continue to increase, NFI WBVs and accuracies will reflect the data submitted by members, including through the AWA PTP.

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:

  • Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which Australia Wagyu Association Limited (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 sets out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal.
  • Future events cannot be predicted accurately. AWA makes no statements, representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any information contained in the registration details of this animal or their capability to achieve any purpose. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability for negligence) for all claims, expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the information set out in the registration details of this animal for any reason being inaccurate or incomplete in any way or incapable of achieving any purpose.
  • 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.

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