WAGYU BREEDING VALUES FAQs | Australian Wagyu Association

February 2026 marked the switch over of AWA’s genetic evaluation service to Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) run on AWA’s independent genetic evaluation pipeline.

The timing of the WBV launch was deliberate, aligning with communication activities leading up to AWA’s major member engagement events (WagyuEdge’26and Big Texas’26) and to allow sufficient time for delivery of educational and technical explanations before these events.

The purpose of this communication is to address some frequently asked questions about the AWA’s genetic evaluation and WBVs. While this is our first response to specific member enquires, it will not be the last. We will continue to provide additional information to members as we accumulate queries and data insights to report to you.

Has there been any country bias observed in the change to WBVs?

No bias has been observed, with consistent EBV to WBV changes seen across Wagyu populations from different countries. Analysis of all AWA data for Japanese Black Fullblood and Purebred animals born in Australia and the USA shows no bias is built into the AWA genetic evaluation model to favour Australian born animals. Overall, USA born animals rank slightly higher on Marble Score and on the Breeder Feeder Index (BFI) in both EBVs and WBVs. LEARN MORE

Does the WBV evaluation account for non-genetic factors like age, age of dam and carcase weight?

Yes, it does. Accounting for non genetic effects such as an animal’s age is essential in any effective genetic evaluation, and the WBV system continues to do this. The difference now is that WBVs use a more modern, data driven approach, modelling these effects directly rather than relying on pre correction of data. This improves efficiency, avoids maintaining adjustment factors and results in more ‑accurate breeding values. LEARN MORE

Animals have generally dropped in their WBV percentile ranking, why?

Animals appear to have dropped in their WBV percentile ranking because the benchmark itself has been lifted. With WBVs, the percentile reference group has been updated to all 2024 born Japanese Black animals, replacing the previous EBV reference group of all animals born in 2023, which also included grading up animals. LEARN MORE

Why have the percentile ranking for Rump Fat EBVs to WBVs flipped?

The percentile direction for Rump Fat has changed in WBVs to better reflect the intended selection direction for this trait. Under WBVs, animals with lower (more negative) Rump Fat values now rank higher because reduced subcutaneous fat, while still improving marbling and muscling supports better carcase yield and less wastage. LEARN MORE

Is the 200 Day Maternal WBV the same as the Milk EBV?

In short, they are very similar. The name was changed to 200 Day Maternal to better reflect what the trait actually measures: the genetic contribution of the dam to her calf’s 200day weight, which includes milk production but also maternal behaviour and mothering ability. LEARN MORE

What is the reason for some of the larger changes in EBVs to WBVs, particularly for more recent high-ranking animals that have significantly reranked?

Some animals have shown larger changes between EBVs and WBVs because the WBV evaluation now incorporates a substantial amount of new information, including genomic profiles for more than 100,000 crossbred animals. This expanded dataset allows the model to more accurately assign genetic merit to sires and dams across the population. While the overall relationship between EBVs and WBVs remains strong across the full 500,000‑animal dataset, greater variation is seen in certain traits, particularly 200‑Day Maternal and Eye Muscle Area, due to updated parameters within the AWA model. LEARN MORE

Do you have more questions?

Use THIS FORM to submit questions to the AWA.

Contact

We thank the AWA membership for their patience as we’ve worked through preliminary investigations based on your initial feedback. If you have further questions or would like clarification on any aspect of the WBVs, please don’t hesitate to, contact the AWA office Ph: 02 8880 7700 E: [email protected]

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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