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Wagyu Selection $Indexes

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Wagyu Selection $Indexes

The Australian Wagyu Association has implemented four world-leading Selection $Indexes – a significant step forward for Wagyu breeders to achieve faster rates of genetic gain and selection for profitability in Wagyu.

The Breeder-Feeder Index (BFI) was released in February 2024 and is a new balanced Selection Index, to assist Wagyu breeders to select the most profitable animals in a self-replacing herd, whilst better managing birth weight, milk production, and mature cow weight.

In 2024, the AWA implemented changes to its Selection Indexes as follows:

  • AbacusBio have calculated new parameter for Fullblood Wagyu Selection Indexes; leading to an
  • Updated Wagyu Breeder Feeder Index as it is now using the new Fullblood parameters;
  • New Fullblood Terminal Index using the new Fullblood parameters and AbacusBio economic models; and
  • New F1 Terminal Index using new F1 parameters and AbacusBio economic models.

There is no current change to the AWA SRI, which still uses the prior parameter inputs derived in 2018 and the BreedObject economic model.  The SRI will now be phased out over the coming 6 months as its’ parameter development is unable to be updated as required by the AWA.

Read more about the 2024 changes to Selection Indexes below. 

READ MORE

BREEDER FEEDER INDEX (BFI)

The Breeder-Feeder Index (BFI) was released in February 2024 and is a new balanced Selection Index, to assist Wagyu breeders to select the most profitable animals in a self-replacing herd, whilst better managing birth weight, milk production, and mature cow weight.

  • Promotes a high growth response, especially for post-weaning gain/Carcase Weight;
  • Reduces the number of high ranking extreme high and low Birth Weight EBV sires;
  • Delivers positive emphasis for Milk and Scrotal Size;
  • Applies a slight negative emphasis on high Mature Cow Weight while strongly positively emphasising Carcase Weight; whilst also
  • Providing a high selection response for Marble Score.

Fullblood Terminal Index (FTI)

The original parameter set defined for Fullblood Wagyu slaughter cattle was defined in 2018, new parameters used in 2024 for Fullblood Wagyu Selection Indexes have been updated to reflect heavier entry weights (high growth calves) with shorter days on feed and equivalent feeding regimes and slaughter age. 

  • Produces a higher early growth response by shifting its emphasis from 600 to 400 day EBVs;
  • Places direct positive pressure on Carcase Weight;
  • Delivers a high response for Marble Score and Eye Muscle Area;
  • Results in more negative response (less) Rump Fat; and
  • Results in a slight increased response for Retail Meat Yield.

F1 Terminal Index (F1TI)

The original parameter set defined for F1 Terminal Index was defined in 2018, new parameters used in 2024 for F1 Wagyu Selection Indexes have been updated to reflect heavier entry weights (high growth calves) with shorter days on feed and equivalent feeding regimes and slaughter age.

  • Includes weighting of the CWT EBV directly
  • Places moderate pressure on lower birthweight, considering most females used for terminal carcase progeny production would not be heifers;
  • Maintains high pressure on Eye Muscle Area and Marble Score; and
  • Focuses more on increasing weight gain in early life

SELF REPLACING INDEX (SRI)

The Self-replacing Index estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial Fullblood or Purebred self-replacing herd. Heifers are retained for breeding and steers and surplus females are sold as feeders for feedlot finishing.

The key production traits for the Self-replacing Index include marbling, sale weight, yield and feed efficiency, reflecting the underlying profit drivers in a commercial operation targeting this production system.

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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