Australia-Problems with Hybred cattle.

AUSTRALIA-JAPANESE CATTLE PROBLEMS.

Security Foods, one of Australia’s largest producers of Wagyu-infused high quality beef, make no secret of the fact that they see a number of serious flaws in production of Wagyu beef under some Australian systems.

These concerns are largely based on a lack of understanding among Australian breeders about the risks of inbreeding, and the consequent impacts on productivity.

Dr Griffiths fears breeders are being encouraged by some buyers of feeder cattle to move from F1/F2 production to purebred/fullblood programs in the quest for marbling, but where the inbreeding risks are intensified.

"Within the Japanese industry, fullblood Wagyu are incredibly line-bred," he said.

"But Japanese farmers themselves do not alone make breeding decisions – instead they consult closely with genetics experts employed by their breed society (Zenwa) who provide specific breeding direction."

As a result, the industry in Japan had continued to make progress, with modern Japanese Wagyu bulls regularly hitting 1000 kilograms liveweight.

Dr Griffiths said when limited quantities of Wagyu genetics first entered the US and Australia, there was enough genetic diversity to maintain a stable herd in both countries – provided it was understood inbreeding levels were high. Accordingly breeders, or their advisers, required a good knowledge of genetics if they were to design and manage breeding programs.

"But what has happened in Australia is that there has been absolutely no appreciation of the risks associated with inbreeding," he said.

"Inbreeding is acceptable, provided it is controlled, but if it occurs in an indiscriminate fashion, it can be disastrous.

"Australians have tried to apply Australian-style breeding principles to Wagyu cattle, which in Japan are not run like beef cattle in this country – they’re terrible mothers, and Australians have tried to tip them out and run them like conventional beef cows under extensive conditions.

"Our program consultant, Dr Mack, has identified inbreeding co-efficients in some Australian Wagyu cattle of 20-25pc – that’s father/daughter stuff."