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USA EPD vs AU EBV Comparison – Wagyu Genetic Trends

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USA EPD vs AU EBV Comparison – Wagyu Genetic Trends

This is the second short communication for the information of Wagyu breeders comparing the genetic evaluations conducted by the American Wagyu Association (AmWA) vs. the Australian Wagyu Association (AuWA).

In reviewing this information, and prior published information, it is important know the relative differences between the evaluations run by each organisation and the genetic trends that result from these evaluations.  This will help you understand how each service may impact your future breeding.

Frequency of Genetic Evaluation runs:

The AuWA genetic evaluation runs every 2 weeks.

The AmWA genetic evaluation runs every 6 months.

 

Number of animals used within AmWA and AuWA genetic evaluations: 

The AuWA genetic evaluation now has over 400,000 individual animals used in its genetic evaluation to produce EBVs for 14 different traits and 3 Selection Indexes.

If you go to the AmWA Digital Beef site and on the left-hand side under “Cattle Evaluation”, click on “Genetic Trends”, it will open a .php report showing the number of animals (#Head) for each year included in the AmWA genetic analysis.

The relative number of animals in the AuWA and AmWA genetic evaluations is plotted in Figure 1 below, showing the #Head recorded by the AuWA (Red Bars) vs. the AmWA (Blue Bars).

Per head recorded comparison

Of note, the AmWA Genetic Trends report does not report the #Head figures for 2021-2024.

 

Genetic Trends reported from AmWA and AuWA genetic evaluations: 

The below graph shows the yearly average EBV for Yearling Weight (YW, 400 day weight), Carcase Weight (CW, CWT), Rib Eye Area (REA, EMA) and Intramuscular Fat (IMF, MS) for animals within the AuWA evaluation.  It demonstrates increases in CW, REA and IMF over time, with little change in YW.

Genetic trends comparison AuWA

The next graph shows the yearly average EPD for Yearling Weight (YW – 400 day weight), Carcase Weight (CW, CWT), Rib Eye Area (REA, EMA) and Intramuscular Fat (IMF, MS) for animals within the AmWA genetic evaluation.  It demonstrates no change in CW, REA, IMF or YW over time.

Genetic trends comparison AmWA

Summary:  This short communication demonstrates the relative genetic trends reported by the AuWA and AmWA for the period since the year 2000.  This data is provided to allow comparative assessment of information reported by both organisations.

 

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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