May/June International Wagyu Breeder

VOLUME NUMBER 1

ISSUE DATE : MAY/JUNE 2018

THE INTERNATIONAL WAGYU BREEDER

SUMO WAGYU FEATURE PG.12

T H E M AY / J U N E I S S U E

Table of Contents

The International Wagyu Breeder

Pg 6: Sire Selection: Understanding the

tools Available ` Pg 10: Herd Health: Early Weaning

Pg 12: Sumo Wagyu Feature

Pg 20: Sire Evaluation: Michifuku

Pg 24: Maternal Line Feature: Suzutani

Pg 31: Leading Sire Update: May 2018 Breedplan EBVs Sires with progeny sorted by TCI Pg 33: Individual trait leaders Update: Male & Female

May 2018 Breedplan EBVs

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Calendar of Wagyu Events June 30th: UK Elite Sale

Northumberland, England July 6th: Premium Wagyu Sale Australia August 8th: National Wagyu Auction

Parys, South Africa August 8th- 11th: Annual General Meetings

Wagyu Society of South Africa August 18th: Vermont Wagyu Female Production Sale

Vermont U.S.A. September 7th: Premium Wagyu Sale Australia September 8th- 9th: European Wagyu Gala & Sale Germany September 12th: Chris Purdon Wagyu Production Sale Cathcart, South Africa September 21st: Certified Wagyu Breeders Elite Auction

Pretoria, South Africa October 4-6th: American Wagyu Association Annual Meetings Texas, U.S.A October 20th: JW Wagyu Dispersion Sale Califorina, U.S.A November 2nd: Premium Wagyu Sale Australia

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2018 Wagyu Highlights January 17th: Mile High Wagyu Experience Top: CHR MICHIYOSHI II - $30,000 February 19th: Beyond Beef Wagyu Sale March 3rd: Florida Wagyu Production Sale: Top: CL Ms Fuku Chiro 407- $48,000 March : Woodview Wagyu Auction April 7th: Synergy Wagyu Female Sale Top: Stonyrun Shig Hikokura 15 - $56,000 April 21st TWA The STeaks are High Producer Sale Top: JC Ms Shigefuku 109 - $21,000 May 4th : Elite Wagyu Sale Top: Poll Wagyu Midnight M0775 - $185,000 May 7th: Fullblood Wagyu Sale Top: SAHARA PARK M0042 - $35,000 May 12th: German International Wagyu Classic Sale Top: Yoly VB005 - €12,600 May 19th: Bar R Cattle Company Production Sale Top: BAR R-AB 6123 ET - $115,000 June 9th: Passion For Prime Sale Top: CC MS HIRAMICHI 3019, $15,000

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Sire Selection:

Understanding the Tools Available

When selecting sires for matings there are a number of tools available to the breeder that can assist in these extremely important decisions. The 16/16 analysis, DNA tests, EBVs, EPDs, and now genomics are a few of the many applicable tools. Often times these decisions can be made last minute with little thought or planning. This however, can be a terrible detriment to the success of any herd of cattle. The resulting calves will make up the herd replacements or generate the income that enables a farm to operate successfully.

Sire selection plays an important role in the performance of the resulting calves thus can increase or decrease the income seen from the sale of feeders, fat steers, carcasses, etc.

This article will examine the tools available for selecting sires to optimize performance of the resulting calves.

One of the oldest and most commonly referenced tools available for sire evaluation is the 16/16 analysis. This analysis evaluates an animal’s lineage and attempts to categorize it into groups (A, B, C, and D). These groups are organized by lineages with similar traits, whether it be high marbling, high growth, frame, or milk. The leading principal used in this system is breeding high frame animals to high marbling and vice versa. This tool is most useful when evaluating sires with little to no data available on them or their progeny.

Breeders today have more reliable, data driven tools available. These tools should take precedence over the 16/16 analysis when available. An example of this would be if a proven sire’s pedigree classified him as a group B marbling sire, however this sire had a high reliability progeny proof that said he was actually poor on marbling. The sires proof should be utilized because it is a measure of the sire’s actual genetic merit rather than a prediction based on pedigree.

Similarly, another often used tactic in selecting sires is looking for sires out of maternal lines that have a history of performing well. This puts a heavy weighting on the importance and ability of maternal lines to consistently transmit their superior traits to the next generation. In a recent Facebook poll, The International Wagyu Breeder found that 93% of breeders look at maternal lines when they are selecting sires. It however, is again important to keep in mind that actual progeny data should take precedence.

When discussing pedigrees, it is easy to then wonder what DNA this sire possesses and what will be passed on to his offspring. The advances in science have now granted the ability to see some of what these animals actually carry though DNA tests. These

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Facebook Sire Selection Poll DNA tests are another tool that can be very useful when there is little other data available.

These tests show recessive disorders, SCD (stearoyl CoA desaturase), and TEND. To begin with recessive disorders, they should be kept in mind when selecting sires as less desirable but should not control or eliminate use of a great bull. These recessive disorders can be easily managed by simply not mating two carriers of the same disorder. Take Itoshigenami TF 148 for example, who is a carrier of the F11 recessive but is one of the best marbling and carcass bulls of all time. It would be foolish to simply not use this bull because of his F11 status. If he a had a full brother available who had a similar proof and was recessive free, then you may not use TF 148 because of his carrier status. Recessive tests should be used a discretionary tool between similar pedigreed or performing sires but not as the sole reason for eliminating use of a good bull.

Let’s dive into recessives a little deeper and review what the implications of each are, most of the recessive disorders found in Wagyu are non-lethal. The first disorder is Spherocytosis (B3), with this affected (two copies of the recessive) cattle are morbidly anemic, meaning the blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. These animals lack proper shape and function of red blood cells. Newborns are normally weak and small with severe anemia, labored breathing, palpitations, and not able to stand or suckle at birth. This is an often-lethal genetic disorder. However, some affected animals can live to adulthood, with extremely stunted growth.

Next is Claudin 16 Deficiency (CL16), with this disorder affected animals have a buildup of fibrous tissue in the kidneys as well as other areas. These animals have a severe risk of kidney failure at any time. Some other symptoms are growth retardation, increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values, diarrhea and overgrowth of hooves.

CL16 may not be lethal but it is noted that affected cattle tend to have unusually short lives.

Another fairly common recessive is Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS), in this affected animals have a deficiency in cells that make up a functional immune system (white blood cells, etc.). Affected calves are more liable to contract disease and infection.

Other symptoms include light coat color, and slight coagulation problems. This disorder is usually not lethal.

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Sire Selection Continued

F13 is a less common recessive, in Bovine Blood Coagulation Factor XIII Deficiency (F13) the proteins needed to form blood clots are missing or reduced.

The symptoms include severely prolonged bleeding time, bruising from castration/ branding, and severe anemia (blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells).

Most affected animal will die.

Finally, what is probably the most well-known disorder Factor XI Deficiency (F11).

With this the efficiency of the clotting factor F11 is diminished. Affected animals may have mild hemophilia-like bleeding tendencies. This can be a result of trauma and surgical procedures or be spontaneous. It should be noted that there is the possibility that Carrier x Carrier mating may have increased difficulty producing viable fertilized embryos and full-term pregnancies. This is a non-lethal disorder.

To Summarize B3 can be lethal, CL16 is generally non-lethal, CHS is non-lethal, F13 is lethal, and F11 is non-lethal. These disorders are all undesirable, but they can be managed though calculated breeding decisions and the realization that carriers do not exhibit any of the symptoms and should be used in a breeding program if their overall genetic merit deserves use (i.e. TF 148).

Yet another DNA test is the SCD (stearoyl CoA desaturase) test which is a single genetic marker test. It measures the genotype at this location, the possible genotypes include VV, VA, and AA. Of these genotypes AA is the most desired with animals processing this genotype having a slightly lower melting point of fat in the meat. Thus, providing a better eating experience longer for the consumer. As with recessive test results this should be used as a discretionary tool between similar bulls but not used as an end all be all on bulls. Once again Itoshigenami TF 148 is the least desired genotype VV, yet he is a great carcass bull because this test has not relation or bearing on carcass marbling ability. Not using TF 148 because of this would be ridiculous, however one may consider trying to mate him only to animals that are AA or VA with hopes for future elimination of the V genotype.

Next is the Igenity Tenderness score test (supposed to measure the tenderness potential) it is on a 1-10 scale with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. It is based on the genotype at 3 different SNP locations. However, it should be taken into consideration that this test was not developed with Wagyu or for use on Wagyu.

Because of this it would generally be adviseable to avoid putting too much emphasis on this test score, but rather use it a guide for picking between full brothers or similar pedigreed sires, etc.

The last “DNA” test is called genomics. This is mapping of an animal’s genetic markers & looking for markers associated with different levels of performance on traits. Then an animal’s genetic potential is attempted to be predicted based on the markers they possess. How do we know what genetic markers to look for? Past sires with progeny data are gene mapped and correlated to their progeny’s performance to give us a idea of what SNPs (Single nucleotide polymorphism) are good and bad.

While this pure genomic evaluation is currently not commercially available in Wagyu as it is in other breeds. The Australian Wagyu Association has recently implemented some genomically enhanced EBV’s. Using genomic evaluations on select animals to help increase the reliability of the EBVs.

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Logically, we move onto EBVs and EPDs. Both are evaluations of animals within contemperary groups and compared with like animals. In Australia generally, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are calculated using their genetic evaluation programs. EBVs are defined as an estimate of an animal’s own genetic value for a trait.

In North America genetic evaluations usually are used to generate Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). An EPD is defined as an animal’s genetic value as a parent for a trait. Since the parent contributes half (50%) of its genes to its progeny, an EPD is half of an EBV (0.5 * EBV = EPD).

These are true data driven evaluations of an animals genetic value. They most reliable way to evaluate animals when there is enough data collected to drive the system. However, they are different and cant be compared across platform because of differences in production, evaluation, and calculation standards. The numbers and utilizing them to make decisions should be relatively straight, forward right? However, the answer is no. Choosing the bull with the higher EPD or EBV for a trait is not always the correct decision. Why, because 2 isn’t always better than 1.5 or 1.8. This is because reliability of these traits has to be taken into consideration. The generally accepted threshold for “high” reliability sires is 80%. This is because once a sire has enough progeny data to get to 80% reliability, generally the EBVs are close to their true genetic value. Even if a sire adds progeny and it’s EBVs fall, it usually is not a drastic change to the sire’s proof. In conclusion using sires with both a high EBV and high reliability is ideal rather than a high EBV sire with low reliability because their EBV is not likely to be their true genetics value. This can mean the difference between BMS 5-6 and BMS 7-8 steers.

Yet another area around EBVs and EPDs to be careful with are Indexes. Too often Indexes become the sole decision-making tool for breeders. They end up just chasing the high flashy number, loosing track of how the indexes are calculated and forgetting corrective mating. While indexes can be a good tool for sorting and finding desired sires, they can create holes in animals by not accounting properly for traits such as conformation, growth, etc. For example, TCI (Terminal Carcass Index) calculated by breedplan only uses marble score and carcass weight.

Phenotype evaluation is often incorporated in sire selection. Remember though, this can be very variable based on environmental factors. The best use of this is evaluating animals within a contemporary group or evaluating animals structurally.

This way they are all on the same playing field. After all, even the best genes can only do so much with a poor environment. Don’t forget, a sire’s individual performs is not what we are looking for in sire selection, we want to know how his progeny will perform and this is often times not correlated to his phenotypic appearance.

To summarize when lacking actual data on an animal or its progeny tools such as 16/16 analysis, recessive tests, SCD, and TEND can be used to assist in sire selection.

However good data and EDPs or EBVs with high reliability are king and should be trusted over 16/16 analysis every day. EPDs and EBVs drive genetic progress and the Wagyu breed needs to continue to improve.

Reference Lone Mountain Cattle Co, Breeding Guide, http://www.lonemountaincattle.com/breeding-guide/technical-resources/ rotational-breeding/ NBCEC, http://www.nbcec.org/validation/igenity/tenderness.html#summary American Wagyu Association, http://wagyu.org/uploads/page/Inherited%20Recessive%20Traits%20in%20the%20 US%20Red%20%20Black%20Wagyu%20Breed_v5(1).pdf American Wagyu Association, http://wagyu.org/uploads/page/Igenity%20Tenderness%20Marker.pdf

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Herd Health:

Early Weaning

Early weaning of calves can be an effective management tool for breeders, due to early weaning’s ability to improve the overall cow herd performance, especially in terms of reproduction. The weaning age of beef calves is typically between 200-220 days, though it has been found that weaning earlier can have a positive effect on the cow-calf pair. While early weaning is not the answer all of the time, it can provide a practical alternative for certain situations. In the case of first calf Wagyu females, early weaning offers a realistic solution for those females that do not produce enough milk to sustain their offspring.

Milk production after freshening roughly doubles the daily energy and protein requirements for a typical beef cow. In considering cow performance, removing a calf earlier into lactation than the standard 200-220 days, reduces the quantity and quality of feed needed to maintain the cow. This significantly decreases the nutrient demands of the female, which is beneficial during conditions such as drought seasons, feeding purchased feed, and during late growing season when forage may be limited. It can make sense to conclude that it would be more efficient to wean the calf early and allocate feed resources directly to the calf to produce weight gain versus funneling feed resources to the lactating female to produce milk for calf weight gain. The nutritional stress typically associated with nursing and raising a calf can affect the female’s ability to cycle, get pregnant, and produce milk in the next lactation.

Removing the nutritional demand associated with a nursing calf and lactation can be especially helpful in anestrus, thin cows that are difficult to breed. Removing the calf earlier helps improve body condition of the female, aiding in their ease to cycle and breed back earlier in the breeding season. Range Cow Research Center of Oklahoma State University (OSU) conducted two studies aimed at examining the effects of early weaning at 42-56 days, looking specifically at cow and heifer performance, weight gain, and rebreeding. Results from this study found that early weaning increased conception rates of very thin first-calf heifers from 50% to 97% and shortened the days to first estrus by 17 days. Furthermore, heifers and cows whose calves were weaned early were heavier at normal weighing time compared to those that raised their offspring. In the study, all mature cows with good condition and that had calves weaned early rebred and were confirmed pregnant, while only 81% of the cows that raised their offspring to 200-220 days rebred.

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In looking further at the concept of early weaning, calves adapt quickly to change in their environment and diet if a management plan has been carefully developed. The first two weeks is a crucial time after early weaning. Calves have to learn to overcome the stress of weaning and start eating feed immediately after being removed from the female. There are fewer instances of morbidity and mortality in calves that learn to eat dry feed within 24-48 hours of separation. To ease the stress of the early weaned calf, it is suggested to limit the number of claves per pen and place one or two older calves in the pen. In OSU’s research, they observed that the newly weaned calves will follow the older calves to the feed bunk and waterers. Early weaned calves should be grown for a period of time before entering the feedlot, being put on grass pasture, or started on a finishing diet. Calves that are managed with this style of feeding program are efficient at converting feed to gain and offer a high proportion grade USDA average choice or better (Rasby, n.d.).

While early weaning of calves is not right for every program, it can be a practical and beneficial management tool. It is a concept that should be looked into by Wagyu breeders as a way to circumvent the limitations some Wagyu have with milk production.

Early weaning has proved favorable to improving reproduction rates within the cow herd through lessening the nutritional demand on the lactating female and helping the female with poor body condition conceive. If you are considering implementing early weaning within your breeding program, it is important to work collaboratively with your veterinarian and nutritionist in advance to identify an appropriate management program.

References Comerford, J. (2009, August). Early Weaning Calves. Retrieved from https://extension.psu. edu/early-weaning-calves.

Lalman, D. (2003). Early Weaning for the Beef Herd. Retrieved from http://pods. dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/ Document-1928/ANSI-3264web.pdf.

Rasby, R. (n.d.). Early Weaning Beef Calves Sometimes Makes Sense. Retrieved from https://beef.unl.edu/cattleproduction/ earlyweaning.

Smith Thomas, H. (2012, June). Specialists Provide Advice On Early Weaning Calves.

Retrieved from http://www.beefmagazine. com/calving/specialists-provide-adviceearly-weaning-calves.

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SUMO WAGYU

The Sumo Wagyu herd is located in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Australia, which offers a fantastic base for raising cattle with continuous rainfall yearround. The operation is located on 1200 hectares of premium grazing country, complete with irrigation, and runs approximately 1300 head of cattle. This includes 800 head of full blood Wagyu and 500 recipient females, with an additional 120 elite full blood female donors that belong to an ET program that operates year-round. Sumo’s herd has multiple calving dates during the year due to their intensive embryo transfer programs. These programs utilize every opportunity to perform fresh transfer of embryos to maintain high conception rates.

Sumo Wagyu is a family owned business, founded by Dr. Simon Coates who has been involved in the beef industry for more than 50 years. As a qualified Veterinarian and cattle owner, Simon oversees every aspect of the operation- Including artificial insemination, embryo transfer and paddock mating programs. His daughter Georgia Finden manages Sumo Wagyu’s International Sales and Marketing division, while son – in - law Mark Finden manages the embryo transfer programs and is responsible for the herds data and Breed plan analysis.

As the operation has grown over the years, so has the need to employ key people to keep up with the momentum. Eric Fraser is the Stock Manager and runs the Grafton properties with the assistance of his wife, Miriam Fraser, who also works in Sumo Wagyu’s laboratory. In addition, Sumo Wagyu has a team of two Office Administrators, Ingrid Hebart and Courtney Corcoran, who assist to run the operation’s main office in Brisbane.

In 1991, Dr. Coates used his veterinary and livestock experience to begin Sumo Wagyu with the purchase and import of 250 purebred embryos from USA breeder Don Lively. These embryos were 15/16th Wagyu and bred up from the original import bulls.

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Following this in 1997, Sumo Wagyu imported 50 full blood heifers and 6 full blood bulls from Japanese master breeder Shogo Takeda. Soon after, Sumo purchased the remainder of Takeda’s Australian herd. As a result of this acquisition, Sumo Wagyu owned approximately 90% of all full blood females in Australia at the time.

Following the purchase of Takeda’s Australian herd, Sumo developed three large scale embryo transfer facilities in Australia, with locations in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Sumo’s full blood Wagyu genetics quickly began to multiply and thousands of embryos and calves were produced in these E.T centers. Through the sale of these genetics, Sumo Wagyu helped to establish approximately 70% of the emerging Wagyu herds around Australia.

Remaining true to their large scale embryo transfer history, today Sumo Wagyu

Northern Rivers of New South Wales

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The Northern Rivers provide fantastic grazing for the cattle at Sumo Wagyu

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produce balanced progeny with elevated EBVs for carcase weight, marble score, and milk.”

Imported Wagyu Cows continues to be a leading supplier of full blood Wagyu genetics to the Australian and International markets. They own a traveling embryo transfer van, which is equipped with a complete laboratory. This technology and has enabled their 8-week ET program to operate year-round in different locations.

Through this program Sumo is producing roughly 3000 embryos annually, of which around 2000 are kept for their own breeding programs and the remaining 1000 are offered for sale. They also produce custom embryos for clients looking for specific genetics.

Sumo’s 8-week ET program utilizes only the herd’s most elite females. These donor females are selected based on a specific set of criteria including: medium to large frame, good milk production, and high EBV’s for marble score & carcase weight. In addition, donors must be in good condition and are selected from lines that have both high fertility rates and proven carcase data.

When making mating decisions, Sumo has always had the philosophy of using pedigrees, “ideally blending the 3 strains of black Wagyu (Tajima, Shimane, Tottori) to

The majority of Sumo’s cattle are 60% Tajima and 40% Shimane/Tottori (approximately). The main focus is on establishing a good maternal foundation with dominant Shimane/Tottori bloodlines that will produce large carcase weights and milk production, while maintaining a good base for marbling.

Donor females can then be mated to high Tajima bulls with elevated marble score EBV’s to produce perfectly balanced progeny with size, milk, and high marbling capabilities.

If a donor female does not produce embryos in an ET program, she is put back into calf and will re-enter the program 2-3 months after the calf is born.

The introduction of Breed plan data and recessive testing has helped Sumo to track, record, and benchmark their key performance traits. This has allowed Sumo to push to achieve a high TCI (Terminal Carcass Index) for each progeny.

With regard to recessive testing. Sumo remarks that, “a large percentage of original import animals were recessive carriers, because of this it is difficult to maintain good genetic diversity in your herd while remaining recessive free.” It is with that in mind that Sumo says, “we do not place a huge emphasis on this testing. We do however, ensure that if an animal is a carrier for a recessive gene we use a recessive free sire at the next mating opportunity.”

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In addition, when selecting which elite donor females will be collected for export approved embryos, Sumo makes every effort to try to ensure they are recessive free.

The intensive ET program that Sumo Wagyu operates is only one element of their reproduction programs. Full blood females that are not used as recipients for the ET program are bred using artificial insemination (A.I.). Sumo uses a synchronization program and timed A.I. to ensure females are all cycling and come on heat. Their program uses a progesterone implant and a prostaglandin injection upon removal of the progesterone implant to bring the cows on heat. The cows are then bred using two straws of high quality semen 12 hours apart post heat to ensure a high conception rate. Two weeks after A.I, an elite sire will be purposefully picked for the best genetic diversity and placed in the paddock to clean up and cover any females that did not conceive with the A.I.

Whether it be through ET or A.I., when breeding for herd replacements Sumo is looking to focus on females with good milk production for calving, medium to large mature cow weight for overall size, marbling, and fertility. Sumo believes, “a female with these traits will help produce the best possible progeny outcome and will also be capable of raising a calf in harsh conditions.” When breeding bulls, a high marble score EBV and large carcase weight EBV is their main focus, because Sumo says, “these are the core values that drive the profitability of the Wagyu supply chain.” While breeding for replacements Sumo is trying to also improve any performance traits that a specific animal is lacking.

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Sumo Wagyu’s long-standing elite ET program has provided the opportunity to

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work with many elite donors. Through these programs, some individual animals have emerged as being exceptionally superior to the rest. For Sumo, two cows stand out as their best: Sumo Fuku J216 (SMOFJ0216) and Sumo Fuku K136 (SMOFK0136). These two elite females represent some of the highest TCI females and are sired by two of Sumo’s top-ranking TCI bulls: Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154: SMOFF0154 (+$527 TCI) and Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F126: SMOFF0126 (+$394 TCI). These donor females are very well-balanced animals with both a high marble score EBV and a high carcase weight EBV. Both cows have performed well in Sumo’s ET program, consistently delivering large embryo numbers. Sumo Fuku J216 comes from the Aizakura maternal line, which has produced the top ranking TCI bull Macquarie Wagyu C1176, with a TCI of +$633.

The other elite donor, Sumo Fuku K136 comes from what Sumo considers their best maternal line, the Hikokuras. Sumo believes that of the original Takeda genetics that made up their herd foundation, TF Hikohime 34/1 (IMUFR3232) and TF Dai 2 Kinntou 3 (PEDFA2453) formed their best maternal lines, because, “these females had a perfect phenotype with incredibly large frames, flat backs and high milk abilities, whilst at the same time providing consistent marbling quality in resulting progeny.” Both of these animals trace back to Ezokintou 1A, a common matriarch of the world renowned Hikokura maternal line. These two cows have formed maternal lines in the Sumo herd that have consistently produced high marbling and large carcase weights. To top it all off this family has consistently flushed well in

the Sumo ET program. In terms of individual success from this line, Dai 2 Kinntou 3 is the dam of the famous Takeda Farm Terutani 40/1, who is considered to be one of the most balanced foundation sires. On the other side of the family, Hikohime 34/1 is the dam of Coates Nami A89: CCOFA0089, who consistently produces 15 or more grade A embryos each flush.

TF Dai 2 Kinntou 3 has continued her pattern of success in the Sumo herd, showing up as a dominant maternal line in two of Sumo’s elite bulls: Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154: SMOFF0154 and Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F126: SMOFF0126. Both sires have high marble score EBV’s of +1.9 and +1.5, along with high carcase weights EBV’s of +27kg and +17kg. These high EBV’s lead to elevated TCI’s of +$527 for F154 and +$394 for F126.

When selecting terminal sires Sumo looks for bulls with a high TCI, superior breeding (pedigree), and excellent EBV’s for marble score and carcase weight. Along with this, Sumo sires must be structurally perfect, have good semen motility & morphology, have strong growth and a desirable temperament.

Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F126

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Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154

Sumo’s emphasis on balanced EBVs for both marble score and carcase weight has led their ability to breed award winning sires. This has been evident in new top ranking proven sire Coates Itoshigenami G113: CCOFG0113, who has a TCI of +$561. G113 has some of the most balanced and all-round strong EBV’s of any bull in the Wagyu breed and is now working successfully in the Macquarie Wagyu program.

To prove up their own sires, Sumo has developed an excellent relationship with their feedlot who provides them with carcase data direct from the processor (abattoir). This data is then submitted to the Australian Wagyu Association and loaded into Breed Plan. Sumo’s elite sires are consistently producing marble scores of 8 to 9+ in the feedlot. This enables their sires to be benchmarked against other sires and ultimately proves the genetic value of their stock.

Genetics from Sumo’s high-ranking sires, Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154: SMOFF0154 and F126: SMOFF0126, are highly sought after. Presently, Sumo’s largest market is the domestic market in Australia for full blood bulls, breeding females, embryos, and semen.

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The international market for premium quality full blood Wagyu genetics (embryos &

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semen) is growing rapidly, with Sumo seeing large markets develop in South Africa, South East Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe, USA, Canada, and New Zealand. Sumo is noticing a real demand for breeding stock with a high marble score EBV and a high Terminal Carcase Index, sired by bulls with proven carcase data.

Sumo attributes the introduction of Breed Plan data as the driving force behind this trend, with the most sought-after animals being those that deliver on multiple key performance traits such as marble score, carcase weight and milk.

Another growing part of Sumo Wagyu’s domestic and international markets is their Red Wagyu or Akaushi program. Approximately 5% of the Sumo herd is Red Akaushi Wagyu.

Sumo has always had an interest in Red Wagyu because they suit the Australian conditions.

Red Wagyu are genetically excellent milk producers and raise large beautiful calves.

Sumo states, “the Red Wagyu colour and ability to produce an increase in meat quality is complimentary to the large number of Red Brahman cross cattle eg: Santa Gertrudis and Drought Master cattle that exist in the millions in Northern Australia.” In Australia, “the Red Wagyu strains are not as popular as the black Wagyu in Australia as the red varieties are still in their infancy.” Sumo foresees Red Wagyu gaining popularity in the next ten years due to their large frame and great foraging abilities that are well suited to the Northern pastoral conditions of Australia.

The future of the Wagyu breed is looking bright, as international markets continue to grow and a population of consumers emerge who demand a better beef eating experience.

Sumo Wagyu sees their bright future as continuing to breed elite full blood Wagyu genetics for hungry Wagyu breeders, processors & investors both domestically and internationally.

These buyers rely on sourcing superior genetics that will deliver greater market profitability at each stage of the supply chain.

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Sire Evaluations Michifuku

Michifuku is one of the most popular and successful sires ever, he is one of the most widely used bulls from World K’s Group original imports.

A Monjiro son of Michiko, his 16/16 analysis tells us he is a 100% Tajima. Conventional wisdom from this analysis tells us he is most likely a high marbling and low milk and growth sire.

Data from both the U.S.A. and Australia backs up this assumption and gives exact values and accuracies for how “high” is high marbling and how “low” is low growth and milk. With 1739 analyzed progeny (analyzed: progeny with at least 1 weight submitted to breedplan) and 355 carcasses analyzed out of 74 herds in Australia’s Breedplan system, Michifuku has an astounding reliability across the board from 98% for 200-day weight to 96% for marble fineness. The importance of this can not be understated, because it gives a level of extreme confidence in his genetic value as a sire and gives confidence when making mating decisions with this sire.

On Australia’s Breedplan EBVs Michifuku hovers around zero for most growth traits, as he is 0 for 200-day weight, -2 for 400-day weight, -4 for 600-day weight, and -4 for mature cow weight. He is extremely poor on milk at -11. In addition to his poor growth figures he is also quite negative for carcass weight at -10. His saving grace that redeems him for his poor performance on growth EBVs is his ability to excel in carcass quality. He ranks in the top 1% for eye muscle area at +6.2, is +0.8 for rump fat, and +0.5 for retail beef yield. Then his marble score and marble fineness are as impressive as his EMA ranking. He is +1.4 for marble score and +0.44 on marble fineness both of which are in the top 5%. Michifuku’s Terminal Carcass Index to this day sits at a remarkably high +$247. This is a function of his

The International Wagyu Breeder Michifuku May 2018 Wagyu GROUP BREEDPLAN Scrotal Gestatio Birth Wt 200 Day 400 Day 600 Day Mat Cow Milk (kg) Size n Length (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) (days) (cm) EBV Acc

1.6

97%

0.7

98%

EBV 0.2 1 Traits Observed: Genomics

0

98%

-2

98%

-4

98%

-4

-11

-2.6

Eye Retail Marble Carcase Muscle Rump Marble Fineness Beef Wt (kg) Area (sq Fat (mm) Score (%) Yield (%) cm)

-10

6.2

0.8

0.5

1.4

97% 98% 97% 98% 97% 97% 95% 97% Breed Avg. EBVs for 2016 Born Calves 9 14 18 19 1 0 12 0.7 0.3 -0.1 0.5 Statistics: Number of Herds: 74, Progeny Analysed: 1739, Scan Progeny: 357, Carcase Progeny: 355, Number of Dtrs: 469 2017 National Wagyu Sire Summary Rib Eye External Marbling Area Fat EPD 0.42 1.88 0 Acc 0.65 0.54 0.3 No. Progeny

624

51

TCI

0.44

$247

0.12

$150

96%

52

incredible +1.4 MS because it carries his -10 CW, as these two traits are what dictates TCI.

Now to look at the Washington State University 2017 Sire Summary EPDs on Michifuku, where he still ranks in the upper tier for marbling. He has a +0.42 EPD for marbling which still ranks him 15thin 2017. When sorting for high reliability sires of greater than 50% reliability, he manages an impressive third place finish in marbling. His rib eye area EPD of +1.88 ranks 10th, and when sorting for sires with 50% reliability or greater he is second. In the external fat EPD Michifuku makes a cool 0 EPD, ranking in the middle of the pack. Michifuku does not have any hot carcass weight EPDs but we would expect him to perform poorly in this area given his pedigree and Breedplan EBV’s.

Michifuku’s DNA tests and genotypes are just as desirable too. His SCD genotype is AA, the preferred genotype as opposed to VA or VV. He is recessive free, giving breeders no mating restrictions in this regard. Finally, his TEND score is a 5, ranking his in the middle of the pack on this test. To sum his DNA tests up, they give no reason to deny use of this superior sire on any animal.

Another common way to evaluate the success of a bull at transmitting his elite genes to his progeny is to examine his success as a sire of sons, that is how successful have the sire’s sons been when proven out with progeny and carcass data. Not every bull has the opportunity to have sons proven out, but elite bulls such as Michifuku do and this is another tool that can be used to measure genetic merit in a non-statistical manner. Michifuku has sired many sons around the globe, to name a few popular first-generation ones there are the likes of Sanjirou, Kanadagene 100, Sanjiro 3 (all from his mating to the famous Suzutani), and Overflow Mihashi (when mated to Okutani). Moreover, he has had success recently with younger proven sires such as Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154, Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F126, and Macquarie Wagyu F C1255. These sires possess elite TCIs of $527, $394, and $373 respectively. Through these old and young proven sires Michifuku has illustrated his ability to transmit his extreme carcass traits on to the next generation of sires.

21

Sire Evaluations

Michifuku Evaluation Continued

Michifuku has done it all. He has put a check in almost every box a sire can. He is recessive free, SCD – AA and TEND – 5 on his DNA tests, all of which are desirable. His progeny has performed in the feedlots of Australia and the U.S.A. through Breedplan and WSU data. Michifuku has had as much success as any bull ever as a sire of son, producing Sanjirou, Kanadagene, F154, and F126. This bull should be incorporated into every breeding program to some extent, whether that be using the bull himself or the impressive sons and grandsons he has produced and are now in their primes. The extreme marbling and rib eye area traits he and his progeny offer are profit to be gained on each carcass, with his only limitation in growth traits now being eliminated in his high carcass weight sons. It should be noted that he himself is generally not a good mating sire when breeding for herd replacements unless mated to exceptionally high growth females because of his low growth and milking ability. This bull is a fantastic piece of Wagyu history and we will be seeing his impact for many generations to come.

Kelsey@Stonyrunfarms.com

22

The International Wagyu Breeder

Thank You!

Stonyrun ID 151 Suzito 3 SoldFor for $52,000 SOld $52,000 To V V Wagyu to Bar Bar

Stonyrun Shig Hikokura 15 Sold for $56,000 to G$ Ranch

Thank you to all who participated in the Synergy Wagyu Sale.

Congratulations to all buyers on their purchase of these incredible foundation females. We at Synergy Wagyu wish you all success in your Wagyu breeding programs. May these females breed the next generation of genetic giants producing success around the globe.

Sincerely, Synergy Wagyu Contact Us Loren Ruth • 484-369-9590 • Loren@stonyrungenetics.com Mitchell Ruth • 484-369-9588 • Mitchell@stonyrunfarms.com

23

Sire Evaluations

An Introduction to: Maternal Lines

There is an art to breeding cattle. Dispite the scientific advances that have been made with EBVs, EPDs, performance tests, DNA tests, and the rise of genomics the breeder still can not control or explain everything that occurs around breeding and genetics. An example of these uncontrollable and sometimes unexplainable interactions is how particular maternal lines exhibit superior traits in an area consistently from generation to generation (and weaknesses in the same pattern). This demonstration of superior traits by certain maternal lines whether it be for marbling, milk, growth, etc. occurs despite other maternal lines having extremely similar breeding or sire stacks. Even though breeders do not fully know or understanding why these superior transmitting abilities occur, breeders have observed this in all breeds of cattle and use this knowledge in their breeding strategies. Science has provided possible explanations for this such as mitochondrial DNA inheritance only coming from the dam, cytoplasmic inheritance theories, and epigenetics triggered in utero by the dam. If you are interested in these topics please check the links/sources below.

These maternal line features seek to look at the maternal lines in the Wagyu breed that have demonstrated a superior ability to transmit to the next generation, whether that be producing exceptional sires, dams, steers, or any combination of these. Then examine what specific areas/traits these maternal lines are excelling in, as well as identify any potential holes or weaknesses they may possess. These features will utilize all the tools that are available to evaluate overall and individual performance and success.

References: https://www.ajas.info/upload/pdf/17_243.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030286807731 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1597588 https://epigeneticsandchromatin.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13072-016-0081-5

24

Suzutani

Suzutani was an original import from Japan in 1993. Since then she has done nothing but perform! She has produced prolific donor dams, elite sires, and demonstrating the ability to transmit performance into the feedlot. She is the dam of successful foundation sires like Sanjirou, Shigeshigetani, Kanadagene, Shikikan, and Sanjiro 3. Now, her direct maternal descendants are sorting themselves to the top of EBV lists in Australia and EPD lists in the USA. Her success as a matriarch has been and continues to be felt around the globe.

Here we will breakdown why this maternal line has seen so much global praise and demand, what sires are excelling now, and what donors may be the next “Suzutani” in the making.

This foundation cow from 1993 was well ahead of her time, even now with all the genetic progress that has been made in the last 25 years she still possesses a TCI (Terminal Carcass Index) of $174 which is better than the breed average of $154. As her Breedplan EBVs tell us she excels in Eye Muscle Area at + 4.1 and in Marble Score at + 1.1. These two traits have been the Suzutani’s calling card in the Wagyu industry, known by feedlotters and seedstock producers alike. Suzutani has proven the ability to transmit this to the next generation from the start by producing sons Sanjirou, Shikikan, and Kanadagene who all excel in these areas as well.

World K’s Sanjirou

Suzutani Maternal Line

Maternal Line Feature:

Suzutani Maternal Line

Eye muscle area and marble score represent two key elements of the carcass that hold extreme value. The ability to increase marble score and eye muscle area on the carcass will increase profitability. In a recent Farmonline.com.au article Scott de Bruin of Mayura Station is quoted as saying “unlocking the value in eye muscle area is crucial to improving the overall value of the carcass.” de Bruin has focused heavily on making genetic progress in this area and says “loin weights on all our carcasses have increased by 5.5 kg/head over the last 5 years.

That has added over $550 per head in value – all again via genetic selection.” The Suzutanis possess the rare ability to increase eye muscle area and marble score all in one package.

DeBruin then adds “in that time (5 yrs), improvement to the cow herd alone, as a result of genetic selection has included increased HSCW by 7.1pc, increased rib eye area by 7.4pc, increased marble score by 17pc and reduced age of slaughter by 24pc.” Mayura Station’s focus on breeding for these traits has given them a significant increase in profitability. Similarly, the Suzutanis strength in eye muscle area and marble score has put them in a position to help improve the profitability of herds around the globe.

Every mating made to Suzutani has yielded a successful proven sire. In Australia TWA Shikikan, a Takazakura son of Suzutani has 997 registered progeny. He has the most registered progeny of any Suzutani son in Australia and his breed plan EBVs say he excelsin marble score at +1.4. This gives him a still impressive Terminal Carcass Index of +$216. Shikikan also maintains positive growth figures which is growth that he likely inherits from his sire Takazakura. That combination of positive growth and marbling is what made him so widely used and why he can be found in so many pedigrees across Australia. However, even with his solid all round EBVs his Michifuku brother Kanadagene 100 has far superior breedplan EBVs, although on less offspring with only 257 registered progeny. Kanadagene has better growth traits with a +20 600-day weight and +27 mature cow weight. He combines his strong growth figures with outstanding carcass traits. He has a carcass weight of +14, an eye muscle area of +5.4, a marble fineness of +0.22, a beef retail yield of +1.0, and has a marble score of +1.2.

The +14 carcass weight and +1.2 marble score give Kanadagene an astounding TCI of +314.

These two sires have had an extreme influence in Australia with their widespread use and superior EBVs.

26

Kanadagene 100 Breedplan EBVs May 2018 Wagyu GROUP BREEDPLAN Eye Gestatio Retail Marble Scrotal Birth Wt 200 Day 400 Day 600 Day Mat Cow Carcase Muscle Rump Marble Beef n Length Fineness Milk (kg) Size Score (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Area (sq Fat (mm) (cm) (days) Yield (%) (%) cm)

1.1

1.5

9

11

21

EBV Acc

83%

89%

91%

92%

93%

EBV

0.2

1.0

9.0

14.0

18.0

27

-8

-1.6

14

89% 89% 79% 88% Breed Avg. EBVs for 2016 Born Calves 19.0 1.0 0.0 12.0

TCI

5.4

-0.2 83%

77%

81%

1.2

0.22

$314

0.7

0.3

-0.1

0.5

0.12

$150

81%

1

77%

While across the globe in the U.S.A., it was Suzutani sons Sanjirou and Shigeshigetani that have been more influential. It is worth noting that these two sires received extensive use in Australia too, however Sanjirou produced inferior EBVs to his full brother Kanadagene in growth and Shigeshigetani produced just average EBVs. Sanjirou, again another Michifuku out of Suzutani, has 571 registered offspring in the U.S.A. Data from Washington State University’s 2017 Sire Summary still ranks Sanjirou as 9th in marbling with an EPD at +0.48 and 63% reliability. Sanjirou ranks 3rd in rib eye area at +2.16 on 25 progeny, 8th in external fat at -0.03, and his only weakness is growth - ranking 4th from last in hot carcass weight at -35.13 on 25 carcasses. His half-brother Shigeshigetani (616 registered progeny in the U.S.A.), a Haruki 2 son of Suzutani does not have any EPDs on the WSU Sire Summary. However, he does have a few highranking sons on the 2017 summary, including the likes of Bar R Shigeshigetani 30T, CHR Shigeshigetani 5, and Bar R Shigeshigetani 54Y. The same can be said of Sanjirou with sons in Bar R Sanjirou 4P, Michiyoshi, Bar R Dbl Suzutani 50T, Bar R Dbl Suzutani 59T, and Bar R Nakagishiro 56T. This is before even mentioning Sanjiro 3’s recent ascent to the #1 rank on WSU’s marbling EPD, albeit on a limited number of progeny. Sanjirou and Shigeshigetani can be found in pedigrees across the states and have had success siring top ranking sons on the WSU Sire Summary. For these reasons they are easily the most influential Suzutani sons in the U.S.A.some impressive all around numbers from +20 Mat cow wt to +4.3 EMA and +1.2 MS. Full brothers Longford 005 and Longford 004 have put up some extraordinary carcass figures. They both are Kitateruyasudoi x Michifuku x the Kanadagene 102D cow. It is no surprise then they have MS of +1.9 & +2.0, EMA of +3.9 & +4.6. These promising sires show a bright future for the Suzutanis.

The Suzutani maternal line is making an impact today with younger next-generation sires. Direct maternal descendants of Suzutani up to five generations away are being used and showing their superior genetics. These include Australian sires Longford 004, Longford 005, Westholme Kitaitonami, and Goshu Kitawaki, Sher Shigesuzu A303, Southern Cross Shigeshigeyasu, and Samurai Farms Michizuru to name a few. They all have a high TCI although

Suzutani Maternal Line

The International Wagyu Breeder

27

Suzutani Maternal Line

World K’s Shigeshigetani

with varying degrees of progeny data. In addition, they have combined to sire more than 600 registered progeny. Westholme Kitaitonami is a Kitaguni Jr x Itoshigenami x Michifuku x the TWA Chikazuki cow and has a TCI of $387. On top of that he has 349 registered offspring with impressive carcass EBVs of +2.2 MS, +2.2 EMA, and +0.39 MF. Samurai Farms Michizuru is a Michifuku x TF 151 x Hirashigetayasu x Michifuku x TWA Chikazuki and has a TCI of $306 with 2 carcass progeny. He possesses some impressive all-around numbers from +20 Mat cow wt to +4.3 EMA and +1.2 MS. Full brothers Longford 005 and Longford 004 have shown some extraordinary carcass figures. They both are Kitateruyasudoi x Michifuku x the Kanadagene 102D cow. It is no surprise then they have MS of +1.9 and +2.0, EMA of +3.9 and +4.6. These promising sires show a bright future for the Suzutani maternal line.

Meanwhile in the U.S.A., younger sires Bar R Dbl Takazakura 30H, Hoh Kiatani 25Y, Bar R Dbl Suzutani 50T, Bar R Dbl Suzutani 59T, and Bar R Itoshigenami 48U are yielding great EBV results in the WSU Sire Summary. In addition, unproven sires CHR Itozuru Doi 282T, Stonyrun ID 151 Ichiro 1, and CHR Michifuku 242S have seen extensive use with 55, 61, and 26 registered progeny respectively. On the WSU 2017 Sire Summary, full brothers Bar R Dbl Suzutani 50T and Bar R Dbl Suzutani 59T have made an impressive impression.

On the marble score EPD they both rank just ahead of the famous 30T bull with 0.35 and 0.34 EPDs on 33 and 49 carcasses. In the rib eye muscle area category 50T ranks 8th with an EPD of 2.01. Hoh Kiatani 25Y has a great marble score EPD of 0.46 on 26 carcasses: ranking him 10th just behind the legendary Sanjirou himself. Bar R Itoshigenami 48U ranks 7th in marble score with an impressive 0.51 EPD on 34 carcasses. In the external fat category Bar R Dbl Takazakura 30H ranks 4th with an EPD of -0.06. These next generation bulls are performing in all the carcass categories with the exception of hot carcass weight.

However, there is a lot of purebred competition in hot carcass weight on the WSU Sire Summary.

On the female side, the Suzutanis have produced many prolific donor dams. Females have been successful in producing large numbers of embryos, making numerous live

28

The International Wagyu Breeder

Family Tree

Key

Name

Suzutani

Aproximate Number of Registered Progeny

Sanjirou Shigeshigetani Kanadagene 100 TWA Shikkikan Sanjiro 3 261

981

1008

993

11

Heatherkura Kanadagene 102 TWA Chikazuki Akiko 3 Suzutaka 2 3

13

Metani

Bar R Dbl Suzutani 50T

Longford Mutsu 17

23

Bar R Dbl Longford Longford Takazakura 004 005 30H 284 37

4

Bar R Dbl Suzutani 59T

Stonyrun ID 151 Ichiro 1

18

BR Ms Yasufuku 0643

52

6

49

17

CHR Itozuru Doi 282T 55

61

Goshu Michie Goshu Michikaze CHR Michifuku 242S

29

35

11

27

Bar R Bar R Goshu Itokoku Goshu Itohara 23 22 Itoshigenami Itoshigenami 48U 49U 2

Westholme Kitaitonami

3

Goshu Kitawaki 11

347

Suzutani’s Breedplan EBVs May 2018

Suzutani May 2018

May 2018 Wagyu GROUP BREEDPLAN Gestatio Birth Wt 200 Day 400 Day 600 Day Mat Cow Milk (kg) n Length (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) Wt (kg) (days) EBV Acc

79%

0.1

-0.9 84%

84%

-1

84%

-7

84%

-9

EBV

0.2

1.0

9.0

14.0

18.0

-2

-10

Eye Scrotal Retail Marble Carcase Muscle Rump Marble Size Fineness Beef Wt (kg) Area (sq Fat (mm) Score (%) (cm) Yield (%) cm)

-1.4

-13

81% 79% 75% 82% Breed Avg. EBVs for 2016 Born Calves 19.0 1.0 0.0 12.0

4.1

-3.2 78%

74%

78%

1.1

0.06

$174

0.7

0.3

-0.1

0.5

0.12

$150

77%

1.3

TCI

75%

29

Suzutani Maternal Line

offspring. Moreover, females from the Suzutanis have produced success on the individual level with sons possessing EBVs and EPDs that rank among the elite in the Wagyu breed. The ability of a cow to flush well or respond well to IVF plays an immense role in whether or not a maternal line sees both widespread use and success. This is simply because embryo transfer provides more offspring than a cow could normally produce through natural calvings in her lifetime. Therefore, with more progeny there are increased opportunities to hit the best genetic combinations producing superior offspring. One can frequently come across Suzutani females with 30 or 40 registered offspring and here are a few examples of these fantastic donor dams. The Longford Mutsu cow has 17 registered progeny including proven sons Longford 004 and 005. Suzutaka 2, a Takazakura out of Suzutani has approximately 52 registered offspring between the U.S. and Australia.

TWA Chikazuki has 49 registered progeny including daughters Goshu Michie and Goshu Michiekaze with 35 and 29 registered progeny respectively. The bottom line is this maternal line produces well in embryo transfer programs, which is an invaluable asset.

Extreme carcass traits including large rib eye area, high marble scores, and high marble fineness are what originally put Suzutani on the map. This ability was proven through sons Sanjirou, Shigshigetani, Kanadagene, and Shikikan. The females from this line flush outstandingly well and

30

have longevity built in producing throughout their lifetimes. This line is still producing EBV and EPD leaders around the globe.

These are the reasons the Suzutanis are sought after worldwide. Breeders working with these cows are producing the next generation of legendary sires of sons and donor dams!

Reference Goodwin, Shan. (18 May 2018). Breeding and feeding for top results at Mayura. Retrieved from https://www.farmonline.com.au/story/5408368/ breeding-and-feeding-for-top-results-at-mayura/

Your Ad Reach Wagyu breeders from around the world with an ad here. for more information and pricing visit our website www. internationalwagyubreeder. com or email lindsay@ internationalwagyubreeder. com

Maternal Line Hikokura Suzutani Chiyotake Chisahime Kensei Okutani Yamfuji Fukutomi Yuriko Tomokane Sakikurahime Moritakashige Sekiyoshiro 3

Name/ID

MACQUARIE WAGYU C1176 (AI) MAYURA ITOSHIGENAMI JNR (AI) COATES ITOSHIGENAMI G113 SUMO CATTLE CO MICHIFUKU F154 (AI) MACQUARIE WAGYU Y408 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME FUJITERU 3 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME NAMIYOSHICHIKA MAYURA ADMIRAL A0113 (AI) WESTHOLME FUJITERUYOSHI THE WRIGHT WAGYU HPCFK0262 WESTHOLME ASH 14 ITOSHIGE [CC] WESTHOLME HIRAMICHI TSURU WESTHOLME MICHIYUHOU 2/31 [CC] SHER MURAI (AI) (ET) SUMO CATTLE CO ITOSHIGENAMI C0158 (AI SUMO CATTLE CO MICHIFUKU F126 (AI) WESTHOLME ITOKITANAMI WESTHOLME KITAITONAMI (AI) (ET) PEPPERMILL GROVE L0004 (AI) WESTHOLME B0039 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME H0317 [CC] MACQUARIE WAGYU F C1255 (AI) (ET) ASHWOOD F X014 (AI) (ET) KURO KIN DM 100/3 (AI) (ET) SUMO CATTLE CO HIRASHIGETAYASU E148 GOSHU KITAWAKI (AI) TRENT BRIDGE F D103 (AI) (ET) SUMO CATTLE CO F K014 SHER ZURUSHIGE B260 (AI) (ET) SHER F X254 WESTHOLME D0676 (AI) (ET) DIAMOND BRAND ICHIRYUNO Z626 (ET) WESTHOLME NAMIYOSHI 4 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME SHIGETERUDOI (AI) WESTHOLME H0232 WORLD K'S KITAGUNI JR WESTHOLME K1325 TRENT BRIDGE F F0115 (AI) GINJO F W0088 (AI) (ET) LMR DAISUKE 2470Z (AI) WESTHOLME ITOYUKIYOSHI WESTHOLME FIJITERUYOSHI LONGFORD 005 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME ITOKITAHIRA 5 ITOSHIGENAMI (IMP USA) GINJO MARBLEMAX D356 (AI) WESTHOLME ITOKITATERU (AI) (ET) MAYURA D0427 (AI)

Color

The International Wagyu Breeder

:Key

May 2018 Breedblan EBVs Sires with Progeny Ranked by TCI Maternal Line of sires listed

May 2018 Wagyu GROUP BREEDPLAN

Gestat Birth

200

400 600

Mat Milk Scrotal Carcas Eye

Length Wt (days) (kg)

Day Wt (kg)

Day Day Wt Wt (kg) (kg)

Cow (kg) Size Wt (cm) (kg)

-0.7 1.5 1.1 1.1 -1.8 -0.7 -0.6 0.6 -0.6 0.6 -0.2 1.9 0 -0.7 1.8 -1.4 -0.3 1.1 -0.2 0.9 -1.4 0.6 -0.1 0.8 2 -0.7 1.4 0.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.6 1.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.8 0.4 1.4 0.3 -0.7 0.6 -1.4 -1.2 1.5 -0.4 -2.4 0.5

-1.1 1 0 0 1 -1 -1.1 2.2 10 11 13 17 -5 -0.7 1.3 10 18 21 25 0 0 0.9 9 17 21 19 -1 -0.4 1 12 23 22 20 3 0.5 0.5 6 10 10 14 -7 0.5 -2.8 2 7 6 12 2 -0.8 -0.2 2 2 4 7 -5 -1 0.8 8 14 18 20 -2 0.5 2.9 20 26 41 31 5 -0.1 1.5 16 25 41 32 1 2 4.9 23 43 49 50 5 2.1 0.9 14 22 30 25 0 1.6 1.7 15 32 45 47 1 1 0.1 3 5 4 8 -7 -0.9 1.9 12 11 20 16 -6 -0.8 2.8 19 36 41 37 2 1.2 -2.9 -5 -13 -25 -15 -16 -0.8 1.7 8 10 12 12 -3 -0.6 2 14 22 30 26 2 -0.7 2.7 19 37 50 46 5 0.9 0.5 5 11 5 -2 -4 -1.8 5.2 31 51 84 75 8 5.3 2.2 14 25 38 40 0 -0.4 4.8 29 39 52 83 0 1.8 -1.3 1 3 -4 -3 -2 -1.7 1.4 9 21 22 25 2 1.1 1.4 11 17 22 26 0 -0.1 1 9 18 18 23 7 0.1 1 10 21 29 29 -1 0.2 1.4 13 22 46 46 -3 0.3 1.4 12 16 25 22 5 -0.2 -0.1 5 10 11 15 -3 0.3 -2.4 -3 -7 -19 -14 -4 -0.9 0.7 14 25 30 32 6 1.4 -3.6 -13 -20 -42 -23 -7 -0.5 -2 3 5 3 3 1 -0.5 -0.3 5 10 12 12 -2 -0.8 0 7 13 13 21 -1 -0.4 -1.6 -7 -6 -12 1 -7 -0.8 -0.6 7 13 8 3 -6 -0.3 0.9 9 18 20 25 -1 1.2 -1.2 0 -3 -7 -8 -4 -1.1 4.1 28 52 66 57 5 2 -1.5 -2 -7 -15 -12 -5 -1.5 -0.2 3 6 2 8 2 0.1 0.7 12 27 30 27 4 0.9 -1.2 -2 0 -8 6 -5 -0.4

Wt (kg)

9 19 39 27 17 8 14 17 16 29 42 35 25 43 17 17 41 -16 11 28 46 13 77 31 45 -6 26 30 30 29 33 27 18 -14 27 -23 3 17 26 2 7 15 -12 54 -8 19 33 10

Rump Retail Marble Marble Terminal

Muscle Fat Beef Score Fineness Carcase Area (mm) Yield (%) Index (sq cm) (%)

3.4 5.6 1.8 2 1.9 0.7 5 1.4 1.1 -0.5 2.8 0.3 1.8 -0.4 2.1 3.1 -2.4 2.2 2.8 0.8 -1.3 2.3 0.2 2.3 0.3 1.2 2.6 0.2 3.7 -0.2 -1.5 4 4 0 -1.6 -0.3 3 2.5 0.2 4.3 0.8 0.7 3.9 -1.6 2 -0.6 -3 0.1

-3 0 -1.4 2.9 -3.4 0.5 2.6 -1.4 -0.9 0.8 0.4 1.8 1.8 1.8 3.6 2.4 0.7 3.6 -1 -0.8 -0.8 6 0 -0.3 0.9 0.4 1.6 -1.9 1.4 0.1 0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.1 0.5 2.3 0.8 2 -1.1 2.5 0.6 -1 -0.9 2.2 0.5 -1.6 -1.6

0.6 0.3 0 -0.8 1 -1.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.6 -0.7 0 -0.6 -0.7 -0.8 -1.2 -0.8 -1.4 -2 0 0.3 -0.4 -1.5 0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5 0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.8 -0.3 -0.3 -1.8 -1.6 -2.2 -0.7 -0.1 -1 0.3 -1.1 -0.5 0.4 0 -1.1 -1.3 -1 -0.7

2.8 2.3 1.8 1.9 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.4 1 1.5 1.5 1 2.2 1.6 1.2 0.8 1.5 0.2 1.1 0.8 1.9 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1 1.1 1.3 2 1.1 2.2 1.6 1.3 1.1 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.9 0.5 1.8 1.2 0.9 1.4

0.42 0.38 0.37 0.48 0.34 0.38 0.36 0.24 0.34 0.26 0.23 0.31 0.39 0.15 0.39 0.41 0.14 0.39 0.3 0.22 0.15 0.46 0.09 0.14 0.32 0.39 0.33 0.2 0.33 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.23 0.4 0.18 0.36 0.33 0.32 0.2 0.21 0.27 0.3 0.42 0.09 0.27 0.13 0.11 0.27

Maternal Line

$633 Aino/Aizakura $575 Hikokura $561 Hikokura $527 Hikokura Chiyotake $520 $477 Hikokura $464 Yamafuji $435 Chiyotake Tomokane $430 $428 Kensei $423 Kitayufuku $413 Hatsuhi $410 Tomokane Okutani $401 $395 Hikokura $394 Hikokura $392 Hikokura $387 Suzutani $385 Fukutomi $379 Sekiyoshiro 3 $374 Sekimasuokishida $373 Chisahime $372 Namiko $371 Hikokura $370 Hikokura $369 Suzutani $368 Hikokura $366 Kensei $365 Hikokura Hikokura $363 $357 Kitakazu $355 Chiyotake $355 Chisahime $353 Sekiyohou $351 Moritakashige $350 Nakayuki $349 Takakuni $349 Hikokura $348 Hikokura $347 Chisahime $346 Sakae $341 Kitayufuku $341 Suzutani $341 Sakikurahime $339 $338 Chiyotake $338 Hikokura $338 Hikokura

31

May 2018 Breedblan EBVs

Name/ID

May 2018 Wagyu GROUP BREEDPLAN

Gestati Birth

200

400 600

Mat Milk Scrotal CarcaseEye

Length Wt (days) (kg)

Day Wt (kg)

Day Day Wt Wt (kg) (kg)

Cow (kg) Size Wt (cm) (kg)

LONGFORD 004 (AI) (ET) KURO KIN ITOSHIGENAMI D52 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME KITANAMIITO LMR KOICHI 1409Y (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME FUJITERUMIYA THE WRIGHT WAGYU KANADAGENE J324 GINJO MARBLEMAX D993 (AI) WAGYU GENETICS ITOSHIGENAMI E9162 (AI) TRENT BRIDGE F F0126 (AI) MOYHU F D0512 (AI) WESTHOLME K0532 [CC] GENJIRO (IMP CAN) GOSHU ITOMI (AI) WESTHOLME G1124 WESTHOLME K1566 [CC] TRENT BRIDGE L0189 (AI) SUNNYSIDE F D65 (AI) (ET) GINJO MARBLEMAX H817 SUMO ITOSHIGENAMI X0081 (AI) (ET) SHER SHIGESUZU A303 (AI) (ET) SUMO CATTLE CO MICHIFUKU G002 (AI) SUMO F W0122 (AI) (ET) OVERFLOW MIHASHI (IMP USA) (ET) WESTHOLME NAMIHARU (AI) SHER ZURUSHIGE B119 (AI) (ET) WORLD K'S KANADAGENE 100 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME J0404 [CC] SOUTHERN CROSS SHIGESHIGEYASU (AI) MAYURA D0482 (ET) BALD RIDGE TERUTANI 40/1 Z116 (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME E1135 (COM) (AI) (ET) WAGYU GENETICS TERUTANI E9006 (ET) (AI) TAMARIND T4 439 (AI) (ET) SAMURAI FARMS MICHIZURU (AI) (ET) WESTHOLME K1927 KURO KIN TERUTANI H29 (AI) TAMARIND T4 ITOSHIGENAMI 07/2 (AI) (ET) SUMO CATTLE CO ITOSHIGENAMI C0151 (AI) WAGYU GENETICS MICHIFUKU E9031 (AI) WICKIUP KANADAGENE X162 (AI) (ET) TRENT BRIDGE K0072 (AI) WESTHOLME NAMIKAZE 9 (AI) (ET)

32

-2.9 0.5 0.2 0.8 -0.2 -1 0.3 1.1 1.3 -0.3 -0.5 -2.4 -0.3 -1 -0.9 1 1 2.3 1.3 0.6 1.3 1.9 -0.4 1.9 -0.4 1.1 0.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.7 0.3 0.1 1.3 1.1 -0.1 0.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 2 0.4 1.5

-1.5 0.7 -3 -1.9 1.8 0.9 -0.1 0.2 -2.1 -0.1 1.3 0 -0.2 0.5 1.5 2.1 -0.5 1.9 1 -1.1 -0.1 2.3 -0.5 1.2 0.4 1.5 0.8 -1 0.1 1.2 1.8 2.6 0.1 1.5 0 -0.1 0 -0.5 0.4 2.2 0.9 1.6

0 8 -5 -8 14 13 5 5 -6 2 15 15 6 10 16 13 4 12 3 -1 0 11 -1 2 7 9 12 0 1 14 12 18 5 7 6 8 5 0 3 9 7 12

-5 15 -15 -9 18 20 11 7 -11 0 23 25 7 12 26 28 10 25 1 1 11 17 1 0 14 11 24 -1 0 28 21 31 7 11 9 14 7 -4 2 12 9 19

-8 24 -28 -17 25 30 17 7 -23 -1 36 39 7 16 40 34 13 29 3 3 7 22 -14 -2 10 21 27 -4 -5 43 30 48 6 15 12 18 5 -9 1 22 10 22

-9 19 -21 -2 30 27 16 8 -12 8 30 31 5 19 30 30 15 39 8 6 -1 23 -12 2 15 27 29 -3 5 41 32 48 10 20 14 24 9 -5 5 23 16 25

-4 -5 -11 -7 1 2 1 -3 -9 -4 1 1 -4 3 4 2 -2 0 -7 -7 -12 2 -8 -7 2 -8 -1 -4 -6 2 0 4 -1 -5 -4 4 -2 -5 -7 -8 -4 -2

-0.6 -1.2 -1.1 -0.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.7 -0.4 -1.5 -0.9 0.8 1.3 -0.6 0.9 1.9 0 -1 0.2 -1 -1.1 -1.6 -0.7 -1.3 -2.1 -0.4 -1.6 2.7 -1 -1.3 1.6 -0.4 1.2 -0.7 -1.1 -0.6 0.2 -0.5 -1.1 -1.9 -1.3 -0.9 -0.1

Wt (kg)

-18 23 -22 -1 18 27 13 18 -10 -10 31 31 3 12 36 31 16 35 -8 10 14 19 -14 -5 9 14 18 -5 -1 47 22 47 12 12 7 26 12 -2 2 16 11 15

Rump Retail Marble Marble Terminal

Muscle Fat Beef Score Fineness Carcase Area (mm) Yield (%) Index (sq cm) (%)

4.6 0.9 -0.2 -0.3 1 2.8 0.4 1.3 2 1.6 2 0.7 1.2 -0.4 2.3 -0.2 1.6 0.4 0.7 2.5 3.6 1 1.5 2.9 1.7 5.4 -0.5 2.3 8.3 0.6 0.7 -0.6 1.1 4.3 1.5 1 1.2 1.4 4.3 3.8 4.2 0.7

-0.3 3.1 1.6 0.1 2.6 -1.6 -0.3 2.8 2 -4 0.4 2.2 0.6 2 0.3 0.2 2.7 0.5 0.1 1.1 1.1 1.7 1.2 -1.8 3 -0.2 4.4 -1.8 -1.7 2.4 -0.9 0.4 1.9 0.4 1.2 0.6 1.8 3 0.9 1.6 2.7 -0.4

0.4 -1.1 -2.1 -1.5 -1.1 0.8 -0.4 -1.2 -1.2 0.6 -0.1 -0.7 -0.7 -1.5 0.2 -0.5 -0.8 0 -0.9 -0.4 0.1 -0.7 -0.9 0.2 -0.7 1 -2 0.3 1.8 -0.7 0 -0.4 -0.9 0.6 -0.7 -0.3 -0.9 -1.4 0.1 0 -0.3 0

2 1.1 2.1 1.6 1.2 1 1.3 1.2 1.8 1.8 0.9 0.9 1.5 1.3 0.8 0.9 1.2 0.8 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.8 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.6 1.5 0.5 1 0.5 1.2 1.2 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.1

0.4 0.21 0.4 0.32 0.2 0.21 0.23 0.18 0.35 0.31 0.17 0.12 0.25 0.25 0.22 0.15 0.16 0.15 0.28 0.27 0.3 0.24 0.43 0.33 0.26 0.22 0.29 0.31 0.39 0.2 0.19 0.16 0.25 0.45 0.29 0.23 0.27 0.34 0.36 0.25 0.3 0.22

$336 $336 $335 $334 $334 $332 $332 $332 $332 $331 $329 $328 $327 $327 $326 $325 $325 $324 $321 $317 $317 $316 $314 $314 $314 $314 $313 $311 $311 $309 $309 $308 $307 $306 $305 $304 $304 $304 $303 $303 $303 $301

Maternal Line

Suzutani Kensei Kitasekitori Chisahime Yamafuji Kensei Yuriko Hikokura Hikokura Fukutomi Sekikurahime Okutani Hikokura Yamafuji Takakuni Hikokura Hikokura Yuriko Chiyotake Suzutani Hikokura Hikokura Suzutani Moritakashige Tetufuku Suzutani Sekiyoshiro 3 Suzutani Hikokura Chisahime Umeko Hikokura Hikokura Suzutani Imori 1 Hikokura Hikokura Hikokura Hikokura Hikokura Kensei Sasayoshi

Breedplan EBV Leaders: Sires with Progeny Ranked By Trait Eye Muscle Area (sq cm)

Terminal Carcase Index

9

$134

WORLD K'S MICHITSURU (AI) (ET)

8.3

$92

MAYURA D0482 (ET)

8.3

$311

MAYURA G1143

7.4

$290

7

$109

LMR KENICHI 807T (AI) (ET)

6.9

$24

$477

GOSHU SANAGU (AI) (ET)

6.9

($225)

2.0

$336

GOSHU SANGAWA (AI) (ET)

6.5

$153

WESTHOLME SHIGETERUDOI (AI)

2.0

$353

WORLD K'S MICHIFUKU

6.2

$247

SUMO CATTLE CO MICHIFUKU F154

1.9

$527

MAYURA G1408 (AI)

6.1

$264

400 Day Wt (kg)

Terminal Carcase Index

56

$182

Marble Score

Terminal Carcase Index

MACQUARIE WAGYU C1176 (AI)

2.8

$633

MAYURA ITOSHIGENAMI JNR (AI)

2.3

$575

WESTHOLME KITAITONAMI (AI) (ET)

2.2

$387

WORLD K'S KITAGUNI JR

2.2

$350

MACQUARIE WAGYU Y408 (AI) (ET)

2.1

$520

WESTHOLME KITANAMIITO

2.1

$335

WESTHOLME FUJITERU 3 (AI) (ET)

2.1

LONGFORD 004 (AI) (ET)

Name/ID

Name/ID GINJO HATSHIRA K930 (AI) WESTHOLME ITOKITAHIRA 5

52

$341

ASHWOOD F X014 (AI) (ET)

51

$372

Name/ID

WORLD K'S SANJIROU (AI) (ET)

WESTHOLME D0965 (AI) (ET)

Carcase Wt (kg)

Terminal Carcase Index

ASHWOOD F X014 (AI) (ET)

77

$372

ASHWOOD F X003 (AI) (ET)

65

$187

HB BIG AL Q502 FB2998

64

$226

64

$182

Name/ID

THE WRIGHT WAGYU H0193 [CC]

51

$103

GINJO HATSHIRA K930 (AI)

FUJIEIKOU J1655

48

$63

KALANGA KAJIKARI B0525 (AI) (ET)

61

$192

WESTHOLME TAYASUHANA 97/2 (IMP USA) (AI) (ET)

48

$74

KALANGA KAJIKARI B0125 (AI) (ET)

61

$215

WESTHOLME COB HIRA 3/4

48

$137

WAGYU GENETICS F J1303 (AI)

60

$231

WESTHOLME J0121 [CC]

48

$193

WAGYU GENETICS RED G1104 (AI)

59

$159

WESTHOLME TAYASUHANA 98/8 (IMP USA) (AI) (ET)

47

$69

KALANGA RED EMPEROR D019 (AI) (ET)

55

$189

THE WRIGHT WAGYU WARREN 1 F26 [CC]

47

$308

HIKARI J251830R (IMP JAP)

55

$165

May 2018 Breedblan EBVs

Breedplan EBV Active Leaders: Females Ranked By Trait Name/ID

Terminal Carcase Marble Carcase Wt (kg) Score Index

Name/ID

Eye Muscle Area (sq cm)

Terminal Carcase Index

MACQUARIE WAGYU C1624

24

1.9

$510

LMR MS SANJIROU 5140C (AI) (ET)

7.3

$95

MAYURA L0982

17

2

$501

LMR MS SANJIROU 5120C (AI) (ET)

7.3

$95

MACQUARIE WAGYU F D2041

30

1.7

$497

7.2

$244

MAYURA K1576

15

2

$492

6.7

$117

MACQUARIE WAGYU K0893 MACQUARIE WAGYU M0489 (AI) (ET)

23

1.8

$488

6.7

$237

18

1.9

$485

6.6

$142

MAYURA L1029

32

1.6

$485

6.6

$75

MACQUARIE WAGYU M0466

55

1

$458

6.6

$145

MACQUARIE WAGYU L462

21

1.7

$457

6.5

$122

MAYURA M0964

17

1.8

$456

6.5

$122

34

WESTHOLME MICHI A0241 (AI) WESTHOLME G0978 SAMURAI FARMS CHIKAZUKI C076 (AI) (ET) BR MS SANJIROU 0628 (AI) (ET) WICKIUP AIZAKURA B635 (AI) (ET) BR MS MICHIFUKU 0638 (AI) LAPINS LAMENT G0002 (AI) LAPINS LAMENT H0001 (AI)

Name/ID

Marble Score

Terminal Carcase Index

$262

WESTHOLME ITOYOSHI 2 (AI) (ET)

2.3

$330

$223

WESTHOLME FUJITERU 2 (AI) (ET)

2.2

$389

74

$293

SAMURAI FARMS SUZUNAMI C531 (AI)

2.1

$337

THE WRIGHT WAGYU HPC ASETA K26 [CC]

70

$231

WESTHOLME H0954

2.1

$334

ACADEMY KERRY J5 [CC]

70

$252

TRENT BRIDGE K0034

2.1

$382

WESTHOLME ITOYOSHI 1 (AI) (ET)

2.1

$350

SUMO CATTLE CO FUKU J206

2.0

$436

MAYURA K1576

2.0

$492

MAYURA L0982

2.0

$501

MAYURA L1370

2.0

$440

Name/ID

Carcase Wt (kg)

Terminal Carcase Index

KALANGA ALMIKO V2277 (AI) (ET)

78

THE WRIGHT WAGYU ASETA H84 [CC]

74

KALANGA KAJIMIKO B647 (AI) (ET)

KALANGA KAJIMIKO B640 (AI) (ET)

69

$157

ACADEMY KERRY K27 [CC]

69

$201

KALANGA F C0565 (COM) (AI) (ET)

68

$219

KALANGA F C300 (ET)

68

$220

KALANGA F C390 (ET)

68

$220

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