Wagyu Genetics in Global Demand in EWS 2020

In uncertain times, the 2020 Elite Wagyu Sale has shone out as the leading international Wagyu genetics event, with strong results that will instil confidence in the leading edge of Wagyu genetics.

Delivered 100% online and hosted by Elite Livestock Auctions with auctioneers, GDL, the auction sold 63 of 96 Lots to a total of $1.31 million.  Vendors and bidders participated from around the world, with 146 bidders from 11 countries registered for the auction.  More than 500 viewed online.

The Lots represented the top 5% of the Wagyu breed, with stellar genetic merit in breeding, estimated breeding values and selection indexes.

Ten of the 20 female lots sold were to international bidders.  Lot 1, a female bred by Sumo Cattle Company, one of the pioneers of Australian Wagyu, taking out the top bid for the category at $105,000 to a US buyer, Jeremy Freer of Double 8 Cattle Company.

Two polled Wagyu Purebred heifers sold to a Swiss buyer for $65,000 and $62,000. Of the bulls, Australia’s Circle 8 Bull’s topped the sale, at $47,500 and was sold to an Australian syndicate headed by Koolang Wagyu.

On the back of the success of his own sale of Wagyu genetics in late March, Scott de Bruin’s lot of semen from sire Mayura P1040 received the highest bid at $4,300 per straw. In turn, Mayura paid a world record $23,000 per embryo for four embryos from Lot 75, put forward from Wagyu Sekai, based in Canada.

Strong interest from Australian buyers kept the majority of lots within Australia, with eight lots sold to Switzerland, six to the USA and five to the UK.

GDL lead auctioneer, Harvey Weyman-Jones said that the Elite Wagyu Sale was a global sale in every way, where the volume buyer of the day was Swiss-based Marcel Merz, securing seven females and a bull, to complement the genetics purchased in the Mayura Sale a month ago.

“Conducting the Elite Wagyu Sale is a major event for the Association to support the industry and our members,” said AWA CEO, Matt McDonagh.

“A big thank you goes out to all the vendors and bidders from around the world who supported the sale this year.  The strong result is a clear statement regarding the strength of the global Wagyu sector and the confidence in elite genetics across the world that are benchmarked through AWA Wagyu BREEDPLAN.”

For a full list of results from the Sale, visit Elite Livestock Auctions.

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.