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USA EPD vs AU EBV Comparison – Wagyu Genetic Evaluations

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USA EPD vs AU EBV Comparison – Wagyu Genetic Evaluations

There has been information put forward to Wagyu breeders comparing the American BIF accuracy calculated for EPDs against those calculate for EBVs by the rest of the world.

In reviewing this information, it is not just important to clarify how one accuracy calculation compares to another, rather, it is important to understand the precision in which you can use EPDs or EBVs based on the data that supports their calculation.

USA EPD Accuracy:  If you conduct an EPD search on the American Wagyu Association Digital Beef platform and use the following criteria, minimum IMF Accuracy .01, Fullblood, Black, Males, only animals born between 01/01/2024 and 05/30/2024 and press ‘search”, 496 animals are reported that are born in that period that have IMF (marbling) EPDs.  You can click “Export to Spreadsheet” and “Download Spreadsheet” to further view and average the results.

In total, EPDs for 9 traits are reported.  For the 496 animals, the average Accuracy of the IMF EPD is 0.19 and the average Accuracy of the CW EPD is 0.18.

Looking at error range in an average accuracy EPD animal with an IMF Acc 0.19 and CW EPD Acc 0.18, the following example is provided where error is ±1 unit of standard error.

USA

Looking at the Trait Rankings (Red Line) vs. Breed Average graph at the bottom of the window, you can see the error range (Yellow Bar), which is the range of potential ranking change based on possible change expected is significantly more than half the breed range for both IMF and CW.

AU EBV Accuracy:  If you conduct an EBV search on the Australian Wagyu Association BREEDPLAN page and use the following criteria, minimum IMF Accuracy 0, Fullblood, Black, Males, Calving year 2024, Sort by Date of Birth and press Search.   Select the first 500 animals and copy to a spreadsheet.

In total, EBVs for 14 traits are reported.  For the 500 animals, the average Accuracy of the MS (IMF) EBV is 0.62 and the average Accuracy for the CWT (CW) EBV is 0.65.

Looking at the error range in an average EBV animal with a MS (IMF) Acc of 0.62 and CWT Acc of 0.65, the following example if provided where error is ±1 unit of standard error.  Looking at the error range graph with the coloured bars below, the error range for Carcase Wt. and Marble Score demonstrates a significantly reduced range of possible change for both traits.

Australia

Summary:  This short communication demonstrates the relative precision of EPDs vs EBV based on animals that have genomics applied within respective genetic evaluations.  The difference in accuracy of trait estimation as demonstrated by possible change in EPDs or EBVs is provided.

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.

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