Advanced DNA testing solutions for registered Wagyu cattle
The Fastest Way to Better Results
Neogen is proud to partner with the Australian Wagyu Association to offer comprehensive and cost-effective genomic solutions tailored specifically for registered Wagyu cattle in Australia.
Neogen offers a comprehensive range of genomic tests for animals recorded in the Australian Wagyu Association’s Herdbook, Content and Slaughter registers, including:
- genomic profiling
- parentage assignment
- screening for genetic conditions and traits of relevance to the Wagyu breed
- confirmation of Wagyu breed claims
- incorporation of genomic profiles into Wagyu BREEDPLAN for the calculation of genomically enhanced breeding values.
Neogen’s genomic test bundles simplify decisions about what genomic tests to order, and include all genomic tests of relevance for Wagyu cattle in Australia.
Genomic Testing Options
| SNP Testing |
|---|
| Parentage SNP – Includes genomic profiling (543 SNPs) and parentage verification only. |
| Genomic SNP – Includes genomic profiling (GGP Bovine 100K), parentage verification, and genomically enhanced EBVs* |
| Genomic Test Bundles |
|---|
| Standard Bundle – Includes genomic profiling (GGP Bovine 100K), parentage verification^, genomically enhanced EBVs*, and screening for the 4 most common genetic conditions in the Wagyu breed (F11, CHS, B3 & IARS) |
| Elite Bundle – Includes genomic profiling (GGP Bovine 100K), parentage verification^, genomically enhanced EBVs*, bovine horn/poll, tenderness, coat colour & dilution, and screening for all genetic conditions of relevance in the Wagyu breed (Band 3/Spherocystosis (B3), Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS), Factor 11 (F11), Isoleucyl-tRNA Synthetase (IARS), Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD), Claudin 16 Deficiency (CL16)). |
* Subject to genomic profiles meeting any eligibility criteria imposed by the genetic evaluation provider.
^Parentage analysis completed by AWA *Analysis completed by BREEDPLAN
| Add-On Genetic Traits & Conditions (Can be ordered in association with the Genomic SNP) |
|---|
| Bovine Horn/Poll |
| CL16 |
| SCD |
| IARS |
| Coat Colour + Dilution Factor |
| ANXN10 [Annexin 10 testing is only available via Australian Wagyu Association (AWA)] |
| Add-On Breed Content (Can be ordered in association with the Genomic SNP) |
|---|
| Crossbred Wagyu Test# |
#Analysis completed by AGBU
| Add-On BVDV Testing (Can be ordered in association with the Genomic SNP) |
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| Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) – Includes screening for animals persistently infected (PI) with BVDV. TSU samples only. |
| Standalone Genetic Traits & Conditions (Can be ordered as standalone testing i.e. not in association with the Parentage SNP or Genomic SNP) |
|---|
| Trait Panel – Includes screening for the 4 most common genetic conditions in the Wagyu breed (F11, CHS, B3 & IARS) |
| Bovine Horn/Poll |
| CL16 |
| SCD |
| IARS |
| Coat Colour + Dilution Factor |
| ANXN10 [Annexin 10 testing is only available via Australian Wagyu Association (AWA)] |
Genomic Profiling With A Difference
Rather than utilising generic genotyping platforms, Neogen’s genomic test offering for Wagyu cattle includes the genomic profiling of animals with Neogen’s premium, proprietary genotyping platform, GGP Bovine 100K.
The GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) Bovine 100K genotyping platform contains approximately 100,000 markers, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (or SNPs), and is designed specifically for Bos taurus and Bos taurus influenced cattle.
The GGP Bovine 100K lassos the knowledge of industry leading scientists, combined with Neogen’s leading SNP selection processes, to precisely choose the most informative 100,000 SNPs for Bos taurus cattle.
The GGP Bovine 100K delivers more accurate evaluation of genetic merit, genome wide selection, comparative genetic studies, and higher density imputation.
Make Selection Decisions Earlier And With More Confidence
Neogen’s GGP Bovine 100K genotyping platform is ideal for incorporation into Wagyu BREEDPLAN for the calculation of genomically enhanced breeding values.
Genomically enhanced breeding values facilitate:
- More accurate selection decisions – Obtain higher accuracy breeding values through the incorporation of genomic information.
- Selection decisions early in an animal’s life – Make accurate selection decisions on young animals with more confidence.
- Selection for more traits – Incorporate hard-to-measure traits that can’t be routinely measured on-farm, or measured prior to an animal entering the breeding herd, into selection decisions.
Making more accurate selection decisions, at an earlier age, and for a greater range of traits, results in faster genetic improvement, and ultimately improved productivity and profitability within a Wagyu beef enterprise.
Traits Evaluated
GGP Bovine 100K genomic profiles are incorporated into the calculation of genomically enhanced breeding values in Wagyu BREEDPLAN for the following traits.
| Birth | Birth Weight, Gestation Length |
| Growth | 200 Day Growth, 400 Day Weight, 600 Day Weight, Milk |
| Fertility | Scrotal Size |
| Maternal | Mature Cow Weight |
| Carcase | Carcase Weight, Eye Muscle Area, Rump Fat, Retail Beef Yield, Marble Score, Marble Fineness |
Genomically Enhanced Breeding Values Are More Accurate
Research conducted by the Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit (AGBU) has shown that the inclusion of genomic information in Wagyu BREEDPLAN improves the predictive ability of EBVs by 20%, on average, clearly demonstrating the benefit of undertaking a genomic testing program in a Wagyu seedstock breeding enterprise.
Genomic Testing Your Animals
Ready to collect samples and order genomic testing in your beef enterprise. We have some helpful resources to get you started.
Further Reading
For those wanting to know more, download our ‘Advanced DNA Testing Solutions for Registered Wagyu Cattle’ brochure, or contact us for a free consultation to discuss your breeding goals and to find a genomic solution that meets your needs.
Interested in genomic testing for Wagyu commercial cattle? Neogen also offers comprehensive and cost-effective genomic solutions tailored specifically for Wagyu commercial cattle in Australia, including Wagyu Feeder Check.
