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AWA DATABASE

Wagyu Feeder Check

An AWA tool developed with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and powered by Neogen, aimed at improving resilience and sustainability of high value beef exports.

Sire Verification and Supply Chain Confidence

Wagyu Feeder Check (WFC) is an Australian Wagyu Association tool developed in partnership with CSIRO, and delivered by Neogen, aimed at improving resilience and sustainability of Australia’s Wagyu beef export Sector.

Wagyu Feeder Check is a commercial DNA genomic test designed for Wagyu content beef cattle to determine low genetic merit animals and help eliminate these from long-fed programs.  This will optimise resource use efficiency, increase drought adaptability, and improve profitability and resilience in the high-value Australian Wagyu Beef export beef sector, saving up to $22 million in costs and resources annually.

LEARN MORE

SUBMIT A WFC REQUEST

All Wagyu Feeder Check requests and results will be handled in a database hosted by Helical, link below.

SUBMIT A WFC REQUEST

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • All testing is done through Neogen
  • Samples must be collected using Allflex/Neogen TSUs (Tissue Sample Units).
  • The cost of the Wagyu Feeder Check is $37 + GST (AUD) per test
  • Testing cannot be done on a sample already at the lab, a new sample must be collected

What is the cost of the Wagyu Feeder Check test?

The cost is $37 + GST (AUD) per test when using TSU's. $40.50 +GST (AUD) when using haircards.

How was the Wagyu Feeder Check Developed?

The Wagyu Feeder Check tool was developed through partnership with AWA, Neogen and CSIRO. The Wagyu Feeder Check genomic algorithms were developed by CSIRO using more than 8,000 genotypes supplied by the AWA and Neogen and carcase records supplied by 7 independent commercial supply chains.

The genomic reference population utilised in generation 2 of Wagyu Feeder Check is considerably larger, doubling in size from 8,316 animals to 17,301 animals

What would Wagyu Feeder Check offer my business?

Industry deployment of the test delivers a step change in optimising management strategies to meet profitability and sustainability targets in the Wagyu industry.

Wagyu Feeder Check is aimed to support supply chain participants who produce export market quality for Wagyu beef using a grow out period, typically around 350 - 400 days.

Wagyu Feeder Check provides you with the ability to test feeders at feedlot entry to estimate low genetic merit carcase performance animals. Animals in your induction groups can be ranked for genetic merit on five feedlot and carcase performance traits and on the Wagyu Feeder Index, a weighted index ranking animals on estimated profitability.

Animals that can be identified as not meeting the performance criteria for a supply chain can be drafted into short-feeding programs or other endpoints, saving on resource use and investment of capital.

How does Wagyu Feeder Check work?

Wagyu Feeder Check reports genetic merit for 5 traits; Average Daily Gain in the Feedlot, Carcase Weight, Subcutaneous Fat Depth (P8 fat), Eye Muscle Area and Marble Score.  Using these traits within the Wagyu Feeder Index, we calculate the relative commercial value ranking of each individual animal based on weighted importance within the Index.

An MBV (Molecular Breeding Value) Trait Ranking from 1 (lowest/worst performing) to 10 (highest/best performing) is reported for the 5 Wagyu Feeder Check traits along with the Wagyu Feeder Index.  The five reported traits are defined in the following table:

What traits are analysed as part of Wagyu Feeder Check?

Carcase Weight (HCW): Hot carcase weight is the hot or unchilled weight of the carcase after slaughter.

SC fat depth (P8FAT): is the depth of subcutaneous fat over the rump at the P8 measurement site

Marble Score (MARB): Is the AUSMEAT marbling score from 0 to 9+ measured on the carcase at the 5/6th or the 12/13th rib site on the chilled carcase under AUSMEAT grading conditions.

Eye Muscle Area (EMA): is the area of the ribeye muscle estimated at the 12/13th rib sire in cm2

Feedlot Average Daily Gain (ADG): is the average daily gain across the whole of the feedlot finishing period (estimated at 400 days)

Wagyu Feeder Index (WFI): Is an Index from 0 (low) to 100 (high) to allow ranking of animals on estimated relative profitability

Sire Verification: sire verification against over 70,000 Fullblood and Purebred males will be provided.

How is the Wagyu Feeder Check Index weighted for the different traits?

Feedlot ADG - 8.3%
Carcase Weight - 16.7%
SC Fat - 12.5%
EMA - 12.5%
Marble Score - 50%

How does the sire verification work?

The Australian Wagyu Association has a genomic database with over 70,000 registered sires. This database will be searched to find a sire-parent match for every animal submitted for genotyping through the Wagyu Feeder Check test. The sire-parent registration identifier will be reported for every animal where the sire could be statistically validated.

Using the Wagyu Feeder Check Verify function, you can sort animals within your data report by sire where the sire has been identified from the AWA database. Once you have carcase data reported for your feeder groups, you can identify high and low performing sires within your groups to further improve future management decisions. For example, eliminating low performing sires from your feeder groups or targeting high performing sires for future feeder groups.

What do I need to do to test my animals with the Wagyu Feeder Check?

• Collect TSU samples on the animals you want to test (TSU number and EID/Animal ID to be recorded)
• Submit your request to the AWA through the Wagyu Feeder Check database
• Send your samples to Neogen with the required documents
• Await your results to be reported through the Wagyu Feeder Check database.

What happens if I have carcase data I want to submit on the animals I have tested?

The AWA encourages you to register sire-parent verified animals identified through Wagyu Feeder Check Verify in the free-of-charge AWA Slaughter Register. AWA will then refund you with $5 per Slaughter Registered animal for which carcase data is provided from the processing facility (within two years of testing).
In providing the AWA with the carcase data for Wagyu Feed Check Verified animals and AWA paying you $5 per record, you agree to the AWA using the carcase data for improving its genetic estimates of registered cattle within the AWA public genetic evaluation (Wagyu BREEPLAN) for Fullblood and Purebred cattle.

What animals are suitable for testing with Wagyu Feeder Check?

The more genetically diverse genomic reference population used for generation 2 of Wagyu Feeder Check is comprised of Purebred Wagyu (20%), Wagyu x Angus (60%) and Wagyu x Bos indicus (15%) animals, with the remaining 5% comprised of Wagyu x Holstein and Wagyu x non-Angus Bos taurus animals.

Validation studies have shown that the genetic predictions calculated for animals from the different genetic backgrounds have similar predictive ability, meaning generation 2 of Wagyu Feeder Check can be utilised with confidence in a wider range of Wagyu F1 crosses.

Can I do the Wagyu Feeder Check test on a sample already tested/submitted at Neogen?

NO. A new sample must be collected and sent to Neogen to conduct the Wagyu Feeder Check test.

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

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