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 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.