The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) has announced the implementation of its three new BreedObject Selection Indexes. This is a significant step forward for Wagyu breeders to achieve faster rates of genetic gain and selection for profitability in Wagyu.

The AWA CEO, Dr Matt McDonagh affirmed that each of the new Wagyu Selection Indexes are targeted specifically to a defined production and market scenario and that members should identify and use the index that best suits their purpose.  It is not appropriate to compare index values of different Indexes as they are based on different production model assumptions. “It is not the index with the highest $ value that you should use, it is the index that best reflects your production system,” Matt said.

The three new Wagyu selection indexes are:

1. Self-Replacing Breeding Index (SRI) – estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial Fullblood or Purebred Wagyu self-replacing herd. Heifers are retained for breeding and steers and surplus females are sold as feeders for feedlot finishing. Steers are assumed to be slaughtered at 32 months after 550 days of feedlot finishing targeting 435kg carcases. Heifers are retained for breeding and therefore maternal traits are of importance. Steers and surplus females that exhibit superior marbling will attract a significant premium for the carcases.
   
   
2. Fullblood Terminal Index (FTI) – estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial Fullblood or Purebred Wagyu herd in which all progeny are sold as feeders for feedlot finishing. Steers are assumed to be slaughtered at 32 months after 550 days of feedlot finishing targeting 435kg carcases. Heifers are slaughtered at 29 months after 450 days of feedlot finishing targeting 385kg carcases. No heifers are retained for breeding and therefore maternal traits are not of importance in this $Index. There is a significant premium for carcases that exhibit superior marbling.
   
   
3. F1 Terminal Index (F1 Index) – estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for an F1 production system using Wagyu bulls and non-Wagyu females where all progeny are sold as feeders for feedlot finishing. Steers and heifers are assumed to be slaughtered at 28 months after 370 days of feedlot finishing targeting carcase weights of 420kg and 387kg respectively. No heifers are retained for breeding and therefore maternal traits are not of importance in this Index. There is a significant premium for carcases that exhibit superior marbling.

Further information on the new Wagyu selection indexes can be found on the AWA website: https://www.wagyu.org.au/breedobject-indexes/. Alternatively, contact Carel Teseling, SBTS Technical Officer for Wagyu on (02) 8880 7703 or via email carel@wagyu.org.au.