Wagyu Webinars – Keep Informed

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 key subjects, starting with:

June: The new Wagyu Breeder $Index, the latest addition to the AWA Wagyu BreedObject $Indexes enabling improved selection for profitability in commercial pastoral-based production systems.
July: Genetic Diversity Initiatives – Publication of Japanese Prefectural Values for all Fullblood Japanese Black Wagyu registered with the Australian Wagyu Association.
July: Calculation of estimated breeding values (EBVs) from raw data using AWA’s Wagyu BREEDPLAN.
The first open Wagyu Webinar – The new Wagyu Breeder $Index
The first open Wagyu Webinar will be held on Thursday 18 June 2020 at 4pm, when AWA will announce:

A new WAGYU BreedObject $Index – the Wagyu Breeder $Index

The Wagyu Breeder $Index complements the suite of Wagyu profitability Indexes now in extensive use by the industry to increase profitability.

The new Wagyu Breeder $Index is the fourth in the suite, and is designed to support selection for enhanced pastoral-based Fullblood Wagyu production, focussing on superior maternal performance to deliver improved calf survivability, 200-400 day growth and profitable feeder production outcomes.

The Wagyu Breeder $Index will be positioned along with the SRI, FTI and F1 Indexes so that members can better compare the breeding objectives and applications of each $Index.

UPCOMING WAGYU Webinars – Japanese Prefectural Values

In the second Webinar in our open Wagyu Webinar series (2 July 2020), the AWA will announce and explain the publication of Japanese Prefectural Values for all Fullblood Japanese Black Wagyu in the Herdbook, in the key context of inbreeding and genetic diversity conservation.

Japanese Black are the predominant Wagyu Breed outside of Japan. Details of work recently completed to improve pedigree links to the Japanese herd ancestors of the global Japanese Black Wagyu population will be discussed. The presentation will include information on how prefectural data is calculated and related trends within the registered Japanese Black Wagyu herd.

Like to learn more about these and other future Wagyu Webinars?

Information on additional Wagyu Webinars will be posted once the topics and speakers are confirmed.  To join, go to Wagyu Webinars for the link to the current webinar.

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.