Modern Production Systems

Introduction

Japanese fullblood Wagyu production is based on intensive management with minimal use of pasture. Virtually all joining is by artificial insemination. AI sire selection is extremely rigorous, starting with highly structured testing of potential AI bulls. The limited…
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Production Target Specification

Most contemporary fullblood production in Japan targets a 500kg progeny carcass (CW) graded to JMGA A4 from 75% or more of total progeny from each sire. Slaughter takes place at approximately 29 months of age, after 600 days on…
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Japanese AI Bull Selection

Modern sire selection practice typically combines Fujiyoshi, Kedaka and Tajima bloodlines to achieve a superior overall feed investment performance. (See Average Bloodline Composition of Calf Market Sires). The process of selecting AI bulls for the Japanese national Wagyu herd…
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Japanese Cow/Calf – Trends and Technology

Trends

Since 1955, the profile of the typical Japanese Wagyu cow/calf producer has changed from a small farmhouse operation averaging about 1.5 head per farm to an intensive medium size operation with about 35 breeders. A very large breeding herd…
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Early Calf Grow-Out

Fullblood dams in Japan are not expected to feed calves to weaning. Nutritional supplementation of fullblood calves commences from about 10 days of age. A typical ration consists of corn, mill mix, soybean meal, roughage (Timothy, Bermuda grass, oaten…
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Japanese Calf Markets

Calves are sold at auction on a individual basis at about 280 days of age, with a typical steer weight of 270 – 300 kg; heifer weight about 250.kg. Information for prospective feedlot buyers includes pedigree, date of birth,…
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Japanese Feedlots

Most Japanese Fullblood feeders are finished by individual farmers rather than commercial feedlots. Farmers frequently combine rice cultivation, vegetable growing and beef cattle production. A typical large commercial Japanese feedlot contains about 500 cattle. A very large establishment might run…
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Purebred Production In Japan

Purebred Wagyu are a Western phenomena resulting from volume production requirements in the United States and Australia since the early 1990s. The crossbreed ‘grading up’ system from first outcross F1 through to F6 to achieve ‘purebred’ pedigree status is adopted…
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