Genetic Analyses on Carcase Characters of Australian Wagyu Beef Cattle

Abstract

Producers of Wagyu beef have unique opportunities to assess high value markets, where carcase value is determined primarily on marbling score. To date, there have been limited genetic studies of this breed, especially in Australia. Newly developed image analysis equipment could be a useful tool to analyse carcase characters. This study estimated genetic parameters for carcase traits measured by both the AUS-MEAT method and camera image analysis. Most carcase traits were moderately to highly heritable. The genetic correlation between AUS-MEAT marbling score and the image analysis marbling trait was very high, and similarly for the two measures of eye muscle area. It was concluded that image analysis of carcase traits is a feasible basis for selection in Australian Wagyu beef cattle.