News > Technical
02nd August 2024
Bloodlines vs Pedigrees Bloodlines are defined as an animal's set of ancestors or pedigree. In cattle breeding this concept is particularly associated to desirable characteristics attributed to these ancestors. So, bloodline = pedigree, or components/blocks of a pedigree. Some breeders like to…
News > Nutrition
26th July 2021
Content provided by JBS Australia on 19 July 2021 Australia’s largest cattle feedlot and processing group, JBS Australia, has announced that its three NSW feedlots will only accept cattle that have been vaccinated with Bovilis MH+IBR to help control the effects…
News > Breeding
29th June 2021
The Australian Wagyu Association is pleased to announce that in working with Meat Image Japan (MIJ), they have achieved conditional approval for the MIJ-30 digital carcase camera through AUS-MEAT for objective grading of high Marble Score 0-9+. The MIJ-30 digital…
News > Breeding
28th May 2021
The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) 2021-2031 Progeny Test Program will join approximately 40 Fullblood Wagyu sires from across the globe, to more than 2,000 Australian-based Wagyu females. It is a global benchmarking project that will also develop much needed new…
News > Events
30th April 2021
The announcement of the Australian Wagyu Association 2021 Wagyu Branded Beef Competition winners is an annual highlight for Australia’s leading luxury beef brands.  The medallists were recognised during a much anticipated Gala Dinner during the 2021 WagyuEdge annual conference on…
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…

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.