Conference, workshop and webinar videos

Video resources

Improving your Wagyu breeding and beef production skills

The Australian Wagyu Association provides a range of free webinars and video resources to improve member skills in using genetic data for improved herd performance.

Since 2016, the AWA has recorded and published all presentations given at our annual Conference so you need never miss a vital message. We also run a monthly free Wagyu Webinar Series that aims to bring the global Wagyu community the very latest information on improving genetics and managing breeding in Wagyu from industry experts and AWA representatives.

We will continue to release webinar dates throughout the year so please keep checking back to this page. Alternatively, subscribe to the AWA eNews for more updates.

Wagyu Webinar Series

Webinar #12 – Wagyu BREEDPLAN Changes – Including XB Wagyu data

The AWA Board has approved changes to the Wagyu BREEDPLAN model to be published Monday 7 March 2022.

The UNE Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit have now completed a recalculation of the Wagyu Genetic Parameters which has included many thousands of new animal and carcase records across a significantly larger Wagyu database.

These changes also include the use of trait data from crossbred Wagyu animals for calculating Fullblood and Purebred Wagyu EBVs.  The AWA will present on the implementation of these changes within Wagyu BREEDPLAN

Missed a Wagyu Webinar?

Access our past Wagyu Webinars for free at a time that suits you.


Webinar #1 – Wagyu Breeder Index

The latest addition to the AWA Wagyu BreedObject $Indexes enables improved selection for profitability in commercial pastoral-based production systems. WATCH NOW

Webinar #2 – Genetic Diversity Initiatives

Publication of Japanese Prefectural Values for all Fullblood Japanese Black Wagyu registered with the Australian Wagyu Association. WATCH NOW

Webinar #3 – Data to EBVs (Part 1)

How EBVs are derived from raw data using AWA’s Wagyu BREEDPLAN. WATCH NOW   DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIBE

Webinar #4 – Data to EBVs (Part 2)

The second part of the focus on EBV and data quality, this webinar focuses on how carcase data within BREEDPLAN is used to calculate EBVs for carcase traits. WATCH NOW   DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIBE

Webinar #5 – Website and Wagyu Portal

Take a tour of the new look AWA website and navigate your way around the members’ Wagyu Portal. WATCH NOW

Webinar #6 – Wagyu trends and genetic impact

Wagyu genetics, directions of key influential breeders and use of significant bulls and how breeding trends are impacting on the genetic gain, profitability and overall return on investment for the breed. WATCH NOW

Webinar #7 – Zoetis Animal Health

Developing an Immune Ready Breeding Cow – Protection Before Conception

As the AWA animal health partner, Zoetis veterinarian Dr Lee Taylor will explain the key diseases that impact reproductive performance in the breeding cow and heifer.

Endemic to the Australian cattle herd disease such as Leptospirosis, Pestivirus and Vibriosis will be addressed on how they affect conception rates and reproductive performance. An effective vaccination program is critical to the success of disease prevention and Dr Taylor will give clear instructions on the correct time to vaccinate your breeders before the start of the AI/breeding season. WATCH NOW

Webinar #8 – AWA Financial Update and AXIchain

AWA CEO Matt McDonagh and CFO Jeanette Rawlings will provide a brief update on FY2021 AWA cost of service trends compared to prior years and benchmark against other like organisations

The Next Generation Marketplace and Supply Chain

Linda and the AXIchain team will provide a technology update to AWA members including an educational session on the Smart Trader solution for domestic and international trading of cattle, genetics and high-quality beef products. This will include a Q&A session.

Part 1: AWA Financial Update WATCH NOW

Part 2: AXIchain Demonstration WATCH NOW

Webinar #9 – AWA Progeny Test Program

AWA CEO Matt McDonagh and Genetic Projects Manager Laura Penrose discuss all things AWA 2021-2031 Progeny Test Program including the outcome of the Sire and Contributor Herd Nominations. They will cover the recommended approach to the breeding program design as recommended by the Genetic Improvement Committee and approved by AWA-PTP Consultative Committee.  The timelines for inaugural herd mating’s to produce the Year 1 progeny will be outlined along with planning for the 2021 AWA-PTP Semen Sale. WATCH NOW

Webinar #10 – Vytelle – AWA Feed Efficiency Partner

Discussing all things feed intake and feed efficiency with Andrew Donoghue, Vytelle Regional Manager Australia and New Zealand and Lisa Rumsfeld, Vice President of International Commercial Operations.

During the webinar, Andrew and Lisa will be providing members with an overview of Vytelle and will give AWA members a look at Vytelle’s services and an understanding of how these services can fast forward your genetic progress. WATCH NOW

Webinar #11 – AXIchain finance and trade for the Wagyu industry. 

AXIchain has partnered with De Lage Landen (DLL) to combine the technology solutions of AXIchain and the financial power of DLL to provide supply chain finance to AXIchain customers.

To the benefit of the Wagyu industry, this exciting partnership can provide finance to smooth out the production process, to take advantage of market swings and purchase cattle, purchase feed or to enter a feeding program and enter the international market to extract maximum return for your product.

AXIchain can now offer an all-in-one platform that gives approved clients the power to manage the production and sales process. WATCH NOW

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.