BASELINING AUSTRALIA’S WAGYU SECTOR | Australian Wagyu Association

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) is excited to announce a new 2-year partnership with farmer-led software provider Ruminati, supporting our members to track and validate their on-farm climate action.

The partnership will see AWA onboard members to the newly released Ruminati PRIME platform, allowing them to generate accurate, detailed and personalised emissions estimates for their farm business. Within the platform, members will also be able to model the impact of methane and CO2-e abatement options, set and measure against individual emissions reduction targets, and create tailor-made, future-facing emissions reductions plans.

“This exciting new partnership with Ruminati will help us take the first steps toward baselining Australia’s Wagyu Sector through a platform that simplifies user inputs but uses the full complexity of Australia-wide baseline data and current carbon accounting methodologies,” says AWA CEO Dr Matt McDonagh.

“We want to provide our members with access to the most accurate and efficient tools on offer. With the Ruminati PRIME platform allowing a high accuracy but simplified on-boarding process, our producers can run scenarios on the impact of practice changes or additional activities on their forecasted emissions. Finding realistic pathways to meet climate goals will become a lot clearer, and where these pathways can be scaled across industry, we will be able to leverage that information for the benefit of the Wagyu Sector.”

Valued at $600 AUD for a yearly subscription, the Ruminati PRIME platform will be made available at no direct cost to AWA members as a result of the new partnership.

Once onboarded, members can choose to share their emissions data with AWA via Ruminati VISION, allowing the Association to track sector-wide emissions against their established emissions targets and develop best practices for emissions management.

“Using our VISION platform, the Wagyu Sector will be able to identify the areas where farmers are making progress and other areas that need support from the AWA to make significant change,” says Coolac based producer and Ruminati co-founder Bobby Miller.

“Farmers shouldn’t have to choose between running a productive, profitable farm enterprise and contributing to Australia’s climate goals. With an accurate understanding of the climate reality of their enterprises, AWA and the Wagyu Sector will not only be able to demonstrate their sustainability credentials on both a farm and industry level, but map out tailored approaches for managing their emissions footprint. It’ll be a game changer for both Australian Wagyu producers and the industry.”

Bobby Miller will be conducting a baselining workshop at the upcoming AGM and Technical Workshop in Brisbane on November 14th. We encourage you to attend and learn about how you can take advantage of this brand-new partnership.

WATCH NOW
AWA x Ruminati Webinar – 5th December 2023

For more information on Ruminati: LEARN MORE

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 the information contained within the AWA database. 
WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals 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