Australian Wagyu producers now have access to a world-first genetic test designed to improve fertility, calving rates and profitability, following the commercial release of testing for the Annexin A10 mutation linked to embryonic mortality in Wagyu cattle.
Weatherbys Scientific is the first commercial genomic testing provider to offer the test to Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) members, with the test available to producers now.
The development follows AWA-supported research in which DNA samples from approximately 230 Wagyu calves were provided to Professor Jon Beever at the University of Tennessee Genomics Centre for the Advancement of Agriculture to identify genetic defects causing calf loss.
Professor Beever identified the occurrence of a known mutation in Annexin A10 (Sasaki et al., 2016) in a cohort of samples and established a validation panel of positive and negative samples to allow DNA testing laboratories to prove their testing conditions for the AWA.
AWA chief executive officer Dr Matt McDonagh said the mutation, which has no impact on economically important carcase traits, has been detected in 6 per cent of the recorded Wagyu population.
“This test is really about increasing productivity and profitability by significantly improving the calving rate, particularly for high-value embryo programs,” Dr McDonagh said.
“We are pleased we can now offer this to our members as a standalone test, or as an add-on to other genotyping, and allow them to screen for the mutation prior to critical breeding decisions.
“Given the dominant maternal effect of this mutation, we recommend breeders test their youngest and highest-value females, particularly those intended for use in embryo programs where multiple progeny are expected.
“All bulls being used should also be screened so they don’t pass on the mutation to female progeny.”
Weatherbys Scientific head of research & development Paul Flynn said the company was proud to support the global Wagyu industry as the first provider to offer testing for the Annexin A10 mutation.
“We congratulate AWA for their proactive research and investment in bringing this test to market for Wagyu producers,” Mr Flynn said.
“It concords with internal development that we have been conducting and meant we could quickly validate a test for AWA members.
“We are pleased to support them and remain committed to continuing our investment in R&D to develop solutions that will ensure the Australian Wagyu Association and its members continue to be one of the global beef industry’s success stories.”
Producer perspective
Stone Axe Pastoral chief operating officer and breeding specialist Matias Saurez said the test gives Wagyu producers a practical, preventative tool to reduce embryonic losses before they occur.
Mr Saurez, who previously worked with Australian Wagyu and was involved in developing the test, said the mutation is a maternal influence defect that affects the uterus of carrier females.
He explained the test allows producers to identify dams likely to lose embryos during gestation and make informed breeding decisions before losses occur, particularly in intensive embryo and large-scale breeding programs.
While calf loss in Wagyu is influenced by many factors — including nutrition, disease, parasites and other genetic defects — Mr Saurez said the Annexin A10 test addresses one important contributor within a complex syndrome.
He noted embryonic and pregnancy losses are a significant issue in Wagyu compared with some other breeds and that certain bloodlines are more likely to carry the mutation than others.
As a result, testing intensity may vary between herds depending on bloodline risk.
The test is easy for producers to access, requiring only a tissue or hair sample submitted through the Australian Wagyu Association.
Mr Saurez said widespread adoption of the test would allow the industry to progressively reduce the number of carrier animals and, over time, lower embryonic mortality rates across Wagyu breeding programs.
