Time to Renew your AWA 2026-27 Membership | Australian Wagyu Association

Member support of the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) plays an important role in strengthening the Wagyu breed and profitability across Wagyu supply chains through the combined value of member data.

As a member owned organisation, our focus remains on delivering new innovations, practical tools and reliable and affordable services that help you improve your business.

Over the past year, we’ve worked alongside members to advance the systems and services that underpin Wagyu performance and profitability.

The introduction of Helical and Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) in February 2026 has set a new gold standard for industry service delivery and breed specific genetic evaluation. We are seeing measurable progress, including continued year on year genetic gain as reported in the Breeder Feeder Index (BFI, +$33 annual gain), reflecting real genetic gains in productivity and profitability traits.

We have delivered a WBV for Net Feed Intake, along with an improved WBV for marbling fineness. We have delivered on the characterisation of new genetic conditions, including Annexin A10 and Hepatic Fibrinogen Storage Disorder (HFSD), along with the implementation of GeneProb for A10 and shortly for HFSD.

Our members’ investment in data and analysis continues to grow the value and the accuracy our genetic tools. Over the last 5 years, the carcase records used in AWA’s genetic evaluation have doubled from 30,000 to over 60,000. With over 70 MIJ camera users globally, the breadth of carcase data across the population is significantly increasing.

In FY2027, we will also deliver the final breeding program cohort of the AWA Progeny Test Program (AWA-PTP), a major milestone in a key project that will further strengthen the depth and reliability of Wagyu genetic data, particularly for members who have not previously been able to effectively obtain performance data on their own animals.

As an extension of the AWA-PTP, we remain focused on delivering new tools that respond to member needs. This includes the development of a fatty acid profile WBV, designed to support more precise selection for carcase quality traits that matter to the market.

Importantly, AWA will continue to invest member funds into research, development, and service delivery improvements that directly benefit those who engage with our systems, particularly members undertaking DNA testing and animal registration. We are committed to providing these services at the lowest possible price point relative to comparable organisations, ensuring accessibility without compromising quality.

Wagyu is now a truly global resource. By working together with breeders around the world, we can ensure that our members benefit from standardised tools and data, supporting genetic gain, maintaining diversity, and managing genomic inbreeding at both herd and population levels.

As we move into the new membership year, our priority remains simple: to support you with the tools, data, and services you need to make informed decisions and continue improving your herd, ‘For our Members, For the Industry’.

Thank you again for your support of the AWA and your contribution to the Wagyu industry.

We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr Matt McDonagh
Company Secretary/CEO

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 information contained within the AWA database and parameters derived from it.
WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may change with addition of new data or with new parameters.
WBVs are genetic merit estimates only 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