News > Breeding
09th March 2021
In our January 2021 issue of Wagyu Update, the ten year trends in Australian Wagyu were explored in two parts – Part I investigated genetics; Part II studied phenotypes. The phenotype trend data is presented across whole of herd averages for…
News > Breeding
01st March 2021
In our January 2021 issue of Wagyu Update, the ten-year trends in Australian Wagyu were explored in two parts - Part I investigated genetics; Part II studied phenotypes. In Part I, we discover Australian Wagyu has evolved in the ten years…
News > Breeding
12th October 2020
The AWA has been working on a range of initiatives to better understand genetic diversity within the Fullblood Japanese Black population with our research partner, the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) and has now published prefectural origin analysis values for…
News > Breeding
27th August 2020
The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA), announced the implementation of testing for the new IARS Disorder to Members, Monday 17 August. IARS is a genetic recessive condition where animals carrying two copies of the causative IARS SNP mutation (affected animals) have a…
News > Breeding
12th June 2020
The Australian Wagyu Association is pleased to announce a Wagyu Webinar series, to bring the global Wagyu sector the very latest information on improving genetics and managing breeding in Wagyu. Held fortnightly, industry experts and AWA representatives will present webinars on…
News > Events
20th January 2020
The Paddock to Palate Competition held by the Royal Queensland Show, EKKA, and presented by JBS is open for entries, with the good news is that the close date has been extended to 29 January, 2021. Of particular interest to Wagyu…

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.