WAGYU ARTICLES

Introduction
Modern beef cattle used for our beef production are not exactly a property left by our ancestors, but composed products from native and imported cattle. Most of native cattle were graded up by British and continental breeds for a few generations about 90 years ago. It should be pointed out, however, that they are the sole domestic farm animals in our country contributing for practical animal production at present, originating from our native animals.

1. Developmental Outlines of Japanese Livestock Production
The major animals used in all segments of our livestock production are originally imported ones in the past, or even at the present.

a. Natural environment
Natural environment of our lands is suitable for grain, mainly rice production as the most efficient means of food supply. Changes of the four seasons is not proper to maintain good grassland conditions all year round, and grazing areas could not be found easily in outside of remote places in the mountains. Furthermore, our ancestors might be blessed with fishery products from surrounding sea, and wild animal’s meat from forest. They did not regard their farm animals as an animal protein source, while draft animals were indispensable for cultivating paddy fields.

b. Needs of farm animals
Over about 1,200 years, there had been no public demands for animal products, such as meat and milk, until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, because of religious reasons of Buddhism and Shintoism. It is an established theory that Japanese ancestors did not domesticate by themselves large animals, such as horse and cattle, but those animals were brought by immigrants from the Asian Continent.

c. Isolation
From genetic view point, it would be interesting that the Japanese cattle had been isolated substantially over 200 years. Isolation is liable to occur in the island country, although there were some cultural interchanges between adjacent countries from old era. A noteworthy event is the national isolation enforced by the Shogun in 1635. This isolation lasted for two centuries to 1854, with exception of foreign trade with China and the Netherlands. There had been essentially no introduction of new genes to our cattle population during the period.

2. Build-up of Old Inbred Strains in Native Cattle
a. Discovery of old inbred strains
A serial survey on ‘Tsuru-ushi’ (Tsuru meaning bine, and ushi meaning cattle) initiated in 1941 by Professor Y. Habu and coworkers revealed that the oldest inbred line of native cattle was built up in 1830 at traditionally famous producing area in Okayama Prefecture, along with the Chugoku Mountains. Cattle belonging to the strain had won fame and had been sold at special price. Other three inbred strains were also built up a little later at the near regions.

b. The feature of the old inbred strains
The term of ‘Tsuru’, sometimes pronounced ‘Zuru’, means a bine of plants, and has been used as a popular name of the inbred strain in native cattle. Then, ‘Tsuru’ included a group of related cattle belonging to the strain and representing superior and common external and productive traits for that strain, because of similar genetic make-up. For example, cattle of ‘Takenotanizuru’were originated from one excellent cow that produced 19 calves during her 23 year life. Two daughters were inherited clearly their dam’s superior characteristics as shown in Table 1 and they formed two sub-strains. A son was back-crossed to his dam to fix these traits, especially body size and dairy character. Two bulls were selected among offspring produced by son and mother mating. Cows of this strain were sired with on of bulls reciprocally in the successive generations. The breeders of this strain, Naniwa family, adopted logical breeding techniques at such old time. Furthermore, they reserved a greater part of females within near villages to observe their progeny.

• All of the breeders of these strains were rich farmer, cattle dealer or iron-master who would be able to keep and handle many cattle. In small scale farming, as farmers hardly wanted to raise many expensive animals for labor service, they had no chance to compare and select better animals.

• The breeders had some suitable grazing area and raised their cattle under good feeding and management conditions, to enable to distinguish true ability on the important traits.

• All strains founded as maternal strains, because reproductive and growing performance records were observed only for females in some closed place from their farms.

• These strains induced branch strains in neighboring regions.

c. Estimated characteristics of pure native cattle
All modern cattle, including the Japanese Black are not bred true of old native cattle, because they are descendants of mongrelsbetween native and various kinds of imported cattle. Characteristics of pure native cattle would only be able to estimate from old documents and ‘Mishima’ cattle that are preserved under governmental protection as a natural monument (figure 2). These cattle are reserved in ‘Mishima’, a small island located in the Sea of Japan, and are recognized as a group of isolated native cattle from crossing with foreign breeds.

• Black coat color is predominant and black cattle with small white spot on udder or near bottom, or a little amount of white hairs on black skin seemed to be preferred rather than single black pattern. White spotted, brown and blind-like patterned cattle were also present.

• Body size was small. Withers height of mature females was 115-118 cm, and that of males about 123-125 cm.

• Middle part of body was plump with well-stand ribs, but hind legs and neck were thin.

• Quality of coat and skin was fine and hair was curled. Horn represented bluish white color, fine texture and round section.

• Heifers were sired at more than 24 months old for the first calving, while young bulls were used at three years old for service, adult bulls of five years old were able to serve to 80 females a year.

• The abilities of drafting and carrying were a little inferior, but working will and turning action were superior to the modern Japanese Black.

• Maximum milk secretion was about 3.3 kg per day, and lactation period lasted within about 116 days, although there were wide individual variations on dairy performance

• Body weight gain and feed efficiency were low, but excellent meat quality was a common character.

3. Crossing with Foreign Breeds
a. Promotion on the importation of foreign breeds
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the new government was eager to introduce western food habit as well as culture. As it released the inhibition on eating of farm animal meat and promoted drinking of milk, the consumption of animal products increased gradually. The government decided to import live animals for breeding use in 1868. About 65% of imported males and females were planned for pure breeding among imported ones, and remained 35% were mostly bulls to use for crossing with native cattle. About 2,600 head of cattle were imported by 1887. Farmers in the Chugoku districts did not show any concern to foreign breeds at first, but crossbreeding came in common use in the early years of this century, being stimulated by high price of crossbreds at markets. However the price of crossbreds fell suddenly in 1910 as crossbreds were regarded as undesirably ‘improved’ inferior animals especially on working performance. The results of the crossing damaged farmers so heavy that a state of panic was occurred here and there. No more crossing with foreign breeds was repeated thereafter, while troublesome problems were remained to save the situation. Crossbreeding at that time would be a quite ill-advised attempt without clear objectives. It appears that there must be very simple anticipation to improve native cattle with large-sized and superior dairy performance, beside of the fact that the most important economic traits for farmers was the area of working performance. Some parts of anticipated were certainly realized, in body size and milking performance, but quality traits of live animal and meat were lowered.

b. Peculiarity of crossing practices
In general, bulls from a selected breed are usually introduced to improve on a few important economic traits, when native animals should be grade up. At that time, Shorthorns and Devons were imported in the first years. But various breeds were introduced in the later years by the government, prefecture governments and companies. The imported breeds to cross with native cattle are shown in Table 2. These are different among prefectures and even among regions with prefecture. In addition, the degrees of influence of these breeds to native cattle raised in each region are also different. The crossing practices lacked consistency and the reason why these breeds were selected was obscure, even though gene pools were expanded at a stroke.

c. Fixation of modern breeds
According to the decision by the government, selection and registration started on the so-called ‘Improved Japanese Cattle’ in 1919. The name means that cattle have superior traits brought about both of native and foreign ancestors. Again, it should be noted that a peculiar concept of the breed was found in the later basic policy. There were so wide variations on the true type, pictured in each region that the decision of targets was left to each prefecture organization. These actions may come from an old sense which was fostered during the feudal age. By the way of fixation, these targets and organizations were integrated gradually, but the semen of active bulls seldom passed beyond the borderline of each prefecture. It seems that various sub-breed groups are immanent within the Japanese Black breed which distribute widely, although three of modern breeds were regarded respectively as a fixed breed in 1944, mainly depending on their external traits.

a. Framing Systems of modern inbred strain
A program to establish modern inbred strains came into effect in 1950 at advanced producing regions, which overlapped mostly with those of the oldest inbred strains. The most different point compared with the build-up of the oldest inbred strains was the basis of breeding unit. In this case, a group of farmers constructed a breeding unit. Each breeding group had to be qualified by the registry association according to the arrangement for breeding and had to follow on the mating recommendation. As shown in figure 3, nine candidate groups started to establish modern inbred strains, but only four groups were successful. A kind of lethal or defect genes were exposed by inbreeding in one group. The number of cattle from which breeding stocks were selected was not sufficient in another group. It must be very difficult to fix a set of desirable genes concerning to all important traits, even though all other obstacles could be removed.

b. Program for planned production of superior breeding stocks
In the next step, crossing between or among established inbred strains, that is incross was organized systematically to get superior breeding stocks in 1959. Five prefectures in the Chugoku districts cooperated in the program, regardless of the presence of the qualified new inbred strain. By this means, complementarily on the plural important traits might be expected. Many bulls contributing to the present populations were products of the program and they are serving to keep inbred strain and also to level up all calves in the prefecture. Under control of the registry association, each inbred strain union could obtain the semen of the designated bull, even if it was raised in other prefectures. The demonstration of incrossing influenced very much to the general mating system in various producing areas, especially in newly developing areas. A greater part of the present Japanese Black originates from two or three different ancestral strains in their pedigree, although the ancestral strains do not mean exactly the modern inbred strains mentioned above.

a. Breeding stock union
A number of breeding groups by enthusiastic farmers produced and gathered superior breeding stocks in a short time, since the qualification of four modern inbred strains. To organize these groups, a new system was developed. In the system, qualified breeding groups could form a breeding stock union at each area. The modern inbred strain unions were incorporated to the system. The unions were formed fundamentally in each small administrative unit, such as county, town or village. The system came into effect in 1962 and six breeding stock unions were qualified at the start. The number of integrated unions reached over thirty now (figure 4).

Figure 4 – Distribution of the breeding stock unions of the Japanese Black cattle

b. Registration of animals belonging to a breeding stock union
In the registration system for the Japanese Black, four classes are set up, which is, fundamental, reserved, high performance andbreeding stock classes. The registration does not mean merely to certify cattle’s pedigree, but it has a selective role by setting up agiven criterion. A final score by visual appraisal and body measurements are a basic registration criterion. Among fourregistration classes, the reserved class and the breeding stock class are preservative, because both classes are open for cattle produced within a breeding unit, such as the territory of improvement union or breeding stock union. That means offspring of a registered cow in these classes are disqualified to these classes, if their dam moved to outside of the unit. Therefore, the system functions to reserve breeding stocks within the original producing areas, where they were born and have been raised, in turn, it avoids dispersion of favourable genes related to some traits.

c. Aspects of breeding stock unions
Reports on the survey enforced every other year by the committee members make clear present aspects of each breeding stock union. In this survey offspring of the designated bulls are exhibited to observe on their individual growth and reproductive performance, as well as common external characteristics of the surveyed strain. Then, committee members and producers discuss in the workshop to decide a new proposal on the subsequent mating.

d. Improvements association and reserved registration class of breeding stocks
The registration system is originally not positive because it has been considered as a means for culling. It is used, however, as a means for selection in our system. Selected breeding stocks would be certainly minor part of whole population. It is necessary to maintain wide background (large effective population size) to attain continuous improvement. In this direction, another class of union was organized in 1972. This is ‘the improvement union’, which functions as a sub-structure of a breeding stock union.

a. Establishment of testing procedures
The concept of the progeny testing arose at early of 1950s, following by the development of young steer fattening system. In the traditional fattening systems prevailed before this development, cow and in some cases heifer were main feeder cattle which were provided to fattening after working use. In most countries, where the main purpose of cattle raising was placed on agricultural or miscellaneous workings, old cattle have been used for beef production as a by-product. Therefore, it seemed to be quite difficult to develop standardized beef production system. By the mechanization of agriculture initiated from about 1950, beef production by Wagyu had to change to new fattening system, based on steer calves as feeder animals, by which standardized and popular fattening system could be brought about.

b. Start of the performance and progeny testing programs
The official performance and progeny testing programs started in 1968 and records from these tests were introduced to registry certificates. The number of tested bulls has quickly increased every year as shown in Table 3. These tests were carried out at the testing station in each prefecture, without any central testing station. This fact caused later definite difficulty in adjusting environmental effects and evaluation on the genetic merits.

c. Unexpected defects of the preset program
In our testing programs, bull calves from 6 to 7 months old are full fed in individual pens during 112 days. Selected fast growing calves can proceed to the progeny testing program. In the progeny testing, 8 to 10 steer calves of candidate bulls, ranging from 7 to 8 months old, are group-fed during 364 days. There are, however, some unexpected defects in this program, when we place the first emphasis on the improvement of carcass quality traits. We may lose superior potential bulls which may be excellent in carcass quality traits, at the first step of selection based on the performance testing records. Furthermore, limited information on the sire’s performance and carcass traits is not sufferance to select effectively bull candidates, being excellent in both performance and carcass traits.

d. Promotion of breeding value evaluation program
In 1988, the beef carcass grading standard was revised to cut carcasses at the same rib-section throughout all carcass markets, where carcass grading had been enforced. Standardized evaluation techniques were also introduced. The revision gives us a very nice chance to proceed to the field progeny testing program, by which we are able to estimate breeding values on carcass traits of both sires and cows. After 3 years trial, the breeding value prediction program on carcass traits, by field progeny testing records, was initiated in 1990. Animal Model BLUP is used for this program.

a. Attained improvement in mature size and growing rate of Japanese black cattle
As an overall inference, it may be mentioned that the strongest selection intensity have been place on mature size and growing rate of Japanese Black throughout the historical breeding processes, including crossbreeding with foreign breeds in the early time of this century. This statement must be well substantiated by the indication of objective figures of body measurements in all of judging standards adopted in each stage. Actually the judging score of live animal have shown very close correlation with such body measurements as withers height and body weight. As the result of concentrated efforts on those traits, registered Japanese Black generally doubled in their mature body weight, compared with native Wagyu. Some parts of such consistent policy seem to be intensified by a series of importations of British and continental beef cattle to attain their growing rate and beef type conformation. It must be indispensable, however, to consider what size of cattle is the most appropriate and efficient for our domestic beef production at present and also in future.

b. Uniformity of mature size and growing rate in Japanese black cattle
The mature size and growing rate of Japanese Black are still very variable among strains within the same breed. The uniformity of main economic traits is essential, even though the diversity of economic traits should be maintained in the breed from not only genetic but also economic view points. As carcass quality traits of Japanese Black are also variable, the primary emphasis of breeding policy should be switched to the uniformity of all economic traits, instead of the absolute level of each economic trait.

c. Newly settled goals on body size
In the previous revision, goals of mature cow size shown by body measurements and weight had been always leveled up. In the new objectives, however, the goal of body measurement was settled on 129 cm in withers height and 540 kg in body weight.

• Condition Score

• The data and exponential equation used for normal growth curve estimation

• Introduction of judging by description classification score

a. Selection and preservation of superior breeding stocks in meat quality traits
As mentioned in the previous chapter 6 and 7, we have prepared for the breeding value prediction on the carcass traits, especially on the meat quality traits, under ‘Animal Model BLUP’. In the usual procedures, there was no reliable indicator to detect breeding cows, which had a high ranking of breeding value on ‘Beef Marbling Standard (BMS)’. Lacking of an alternative, pedigree information has been used to estimate their ability on this trait. It has been often observed at carcass competitions that carcasses showing quite excellent degree of marbling exhibited by heifers and steers, while the records of the official progeny testing of selected bulls in the same prefecture were unexpectedly low. Such kind of loss of genetic resources has not been rare case. If it is possible to predict breeding values on both the sire and the dam, we will be able to evaluate preliminarily their son at or before the mating. By this means, selected bull calves will be sent to the performance testing, and probability of superior bull production on this trait will become higher.

Furthermore, animals ranked high orders on Predicted Breeding Value (PBV) will be preserved completely in the producing area, enabling to reproduce excellent breeding stocks in the planned mating.

b. The most effective utilization of pedigree information
There are about 60,000 to 70,000 head of registered animals every year in Japanese Black population. Most of registered animals within the same prefecture have common ancestors in their pedigree notes, as more than 95% of matings have depended on the artificial insemination. As a result of this situation, relative relationship among registered animals may be useful for making breeding plan of populations classified by each prefecture. As our association has accumulated a large amount of pedigree records as the most important property, we have to consider on the most effective utilization of the property.

c. Systematic carcass data collection
There is no clear specialization between calf production and feedlot management in our beef cattle production, compared with foreign situation. It means that systematic carcass data collection will be possible without troublesome disagreement between both segments. In addition, more than 80% of slaughter steers are graded at the meat markets in the ordinary marketing. Therefore, we can expect to feedback such field data as a reliable data for improvement, by matching with pedigree information. It is a quite favorable situation for us, because our domestic beef production is depending on mainly pure breed feeder calves.

d. Regional estimation of breeding value by a personal computer
In our breeding value prediction program under animal model BLUP initiated in 1990, each prefecture branch office of our association is responsible for evaluation and management of carcass data, and predicted breeding values (PBV).

• It is impossible to predict breeding values in nationwide range at present. As shown in figure 5 and figure 6, estimated heritability’s of the same trait differ considerably among prefectures. It must be brought about by the difference of genetic makeup of cattle between prefectures. Furthermore, environmental effects can not remove completely by all means.

• PBV should be managed to devote to breeding purpose only at least in present situation, in order to protect taking out of necessary breeding stocks to commercial purpose and use as a feeder cattle. It is the general understanding that own property must be managed by owners.

• Selection and preservation of breeding stocks should be decided by the latest PBV as soon as possible, looking for the animal on their external characteristics. It is the best way to calculate the latest PBV by themselves any time it is necessary.

• The cost for computation can be saved to lower level by use of personal computer.

e. Planned mating of each cattle based on PBV
Within about 5 years, most of the breeding cows must have their own PBV on carcass traits. It is feasible at that time that each cow mate with the most matched sire to produce calves balanced in various important carcass traits. In addition, in the next step, both sire and dam must be evaluated with fundamental economic traits and carcass traits, by which the improvements of Japanese Black may be accelerated much more.

Figure 5 – Estimated heritability on the degree of marbling in 12 prefectures
 

Figure 6 – Estimated heritability on rib eye area in 12 prefectures
 

Click here to see larger view of Table 4 –
An example of predicted breeding values on popular sires in certain prefecture

Click here to see larger view of Table 4 –
An example of predicted breeding values on popular sires in certain prefecture

f. Checking up the progress of improvement
Up to the present, breeding objectives have been drawn without any consideration on attainable time. It is necessary in future breeding plan to estimate the duration needed to reach the goals. As an example, the genetic trend of marbling trait in certain prefecture is show in figure 7. In cow herd of the prefecture, PBV of cows born in the same year were averaged and plotted in this figure. It is clear that average PBV maintained at the same level from 1970 to 1977, but after that time those are increasing steadily. This increasing shows that selection and preservation of superior cows on this trait has been going on successfully.

Figure 7 – Genetic trend of the degree of marbling plotted by average
breeding value of cows born in the same year

9. General View for All Wagyu Breeds
Epoch-marking events were only picked in the previous sections, which have been occurred in the singular processes of our beef cattle breeding. There are three more minor breeds (Table 5), differed obviously in their economic and external traits, and raised in a limited district or region. An all-over breeding and conserving plan, of cause, should be applied for all breeds. To my regret, these breeds were not in a cooperated organization yet, although the aim is the same beef production. Some breeds are possibly in danger depending on preference of present markets, even if it would be useful resources in the future.

Intermediate Remarks
It could not image for us that such strong attention from foreign beef cattle producers may be paid for the very quiet and shy animal, Wagyu. The unexpected footlights, however, is proud of our Wagyu men, because this animal was not qualified sometimes even as Japanese beef cattle.

a. Registration of the Japanese breeds of cattle

b. Guidance, evaluation on genetic performance of cattle, and promotion of the organized breeding plan for breeding stocks

c. Sponsorship of discussion meetings and short-course schools for ‘Wagyu’ production

d. Publication of books on the registry

e. Other necessary business relating to ‘Wagyu’ registration

• Judging requirements

  • Requirement for judging score at the registry for this class was repealed. The result of descriptive classification score is provided to applied cattle and recorded as the official record

  • To be eligible for this registry class, cows must be scored over 80 points and bulls must be scored over 82 points at the fundamental or reserved registry.

  • In the previous requirement, the animal which cleared the same score level at the registration can be eligible for this registry class

  • The cattle proved to be excellent by progeny records on judging score and carcass grading can be eligible for this class.
     

• Reproductive requirements

  • The first calving must be earlier than 28 months old for females

  • The averaged calving interval for more than 3 calving must be less than 40 days

• Progeny record requirements

  • Cows applied for this registry class have to have more than 2 offspring which were scored more than 80 points. In this requirement, one of 2 offspring can substitute by slaughtered animal of which carcass was graded to A-5, A-4, B-5 in carcass grading standard.

  • Bulls applied for this registry class have to have more than 25 offspring which were scored more than 80 points. Furthermore, they have to clear a given criteria on progeny testing records

• Cattle registered breeding stock in old registry system and for high performance registry can be eligible for breeding stocks of each breeding stock union

• Breeding stocks are replaced flexibly according to the breeding purposes of each breeding stock union. Any stock does not have permanent qualification, as they are a kind of project team to produce bull candidates for successors

• The selection standard for breeding stocks should be depend on both of judging score and PBV on carcass traits under consideration.

6. Number of judge, belonging to the Central Judging Committee
41

7. Number of judge, belonging to the Branch Judging Committee
1253

9. Employees
General Manager 1
Clerks and Technical experts 22