NEWSLETTER FROM NAMIBIAN WAGYU SOCIETY
Dear members,
Following on from the previous newsletter, we would like to introduce our next new member,
NEW MEMBERS
Shepherd Tree Wagyu | Martenique Scott and Andre Blaauw |
SHEPHERD TREE WAGYU INTERVIEW:
Q. Martenique, where do you farm?
A. We farm near Nina with game, small stock and cattle.
Q. Why Wagyu?
A. I was intrigued by the Afrikaner breed that has shown good quality, consistent marbling when veld raised in the South of Namibia. It then made me curious to see if one can shorten the feedlot time when crossing Wagyu with Afrikaner. We presented this idea to Sarel du Toit, who then provided us with one of his bulls.
Q. What do you use as base cows?
A. We only use Afrikaner heifers base animals from registered stud breeders.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. Our aim, initially, was to finish the oxen on the veld and then test the marble score for veld raised Wagyu Afrikaner cross. Due to this year’s drought though, we were forced to move our cows and F1 calves to another farm and change our goals. We decided to rather raise F1 heifers and “tollies” and sell them on a year on year basis.
Q. Any other comments?
A. We live by the motto that Namibia is a country for beginners, and we began with one goal and settled on another one that worked for this year. Luckily we have entrepreneurial spirits and adapt to change very easily. We will start synchronizing our cows in August and if all goes well we will inseminate in September for the next calving season.
BEST EVER MARBLE SCORE SO FAR IN NAMIBIA:
We congratulate King Wagyu on achieving a best ever marble score of 12 at their recent slaughter.
Q. Deja, you have achieved very good average marble scores for your slaughter cattle over the past year, and now you have produced a marble score 12! What is your recipe to achieve high marble scores?
A. Our foundation herd is built on top Quality genetics that has been proven and thoroughly researched. The genetic potential for marbling is optimized through a systematic process from rearing, and specific. feeding program utilizing our own formulated feed rations and private feedlot. After weaning our steers go directly to the feedlot for an average of 420 days till slaughter.
Below follows an article compiled by our member Dr. Fred Kars, on genetic disorders in Wagyu, for your interest. We thank Dr.Fred for his effort!
GENETIC DISORDERS IN WAGYU:
Wagyu cattle are known for their exceptional marbling and high-quality beef, but like all breeds, they can be susceptible to genetic defects due to various factors including mutations, inbreeding, and genetic predispositions. A total of 221 Wagyu cattle (Japanese Black and Akaushi) were exported from Japan during the period 1976 to 1990’s. These limited available genetics, the use of artificial insemination and line breeding, requires careful planning to ensure that sound breeding material is
supplied to the industry. While there are various defects which can be identified by visual observation and identified in the Breed Standards of the NWS, the presence of some important genetic disorders will require DNA testing. The following are the main disorders identified in Wagyu:
GENETIC DISORDER | SYMPTOMS | CARRIERS |
CHS (Chediak Higashi Syndrome) | A disorder of the white blood cells which are responsible for immune defense. Such animals have a lowered immune response and more frequent bacterial infections. Signs include slower blood clotting and a noticeably pale coat color. An initial indicator is unusual bleeding around the umbilical cord at birth. This disorder is usually not lethal | Itomoritaka “002” (J2703, FB681 and IMJFAJ2703), Itoshigefuji TF147 (FB3681 and IMUFQTF147), Mazda (FB103 “C” and IMUFA0103 “FU”), Mitsuhikokura TF149 (FB3683 and IMUFNTF149), TF601 (FB5999 and IMUFZ5999) and TF603 (FB6188 and IMUFZ6188). Itomichi (PEDFA500 and FB500) |
B3 (Spherocystosis) | A disorder of the white blood cells which are responsible for immune defense. Such animals have a lowered immune response and more frequent bacterial infections. Signs include slower blood clotting and a noticeably pale coat color. An initial indicator is unusual bleeding around the umbilical cord at birth. This disorder is usually not lethal abnormal red blood cells. This usually leads to death in calves in the first 7 days. There are also cases where calves lived longer but were severely stunted in growth. | JVP Yasutanisakura 931 (FB2102 and IMUFN2102) |
CL16 (Claudin 16 deficiency) | Also known as RTD or renal tubular dysplasia. The accumulation of fibrous tissue leads to a greatly increased risk of renal (kidney) failure. The condition can occur at any time but cattle usually do not live beyond 6 years of age. | Yasufuku Jr (FB5061 and PEDFS100), JVP Yasutanisakura 931 (FB2102 and IMUFN2102) and Kimifuku TF726 (FB7584 and IMUFB7584) |
F11 (Factor XI deficiency) | Factor XI deficiency is an autosomal (non-sex chromosome) disorder associated with a slightly increased bleeding tendency. Coagulation factor XI is reduced in efficiency. Affected animals show slightly prolonged bleeding times and unusual plasma coagulation after trauma or surgery. This disorder is not lethal and has no effect on the animal's life, which is usually quite normal. | Hikari (FB2455 and IMUFN2455), Itohana 2 TF38 (FB2294 and IMUFN2294), Itoshigenami TF148 (FB3682 and IMUFQTF148), JVP Fukutsuru 068 (FB2101 and IMJFMJ068), Kimifuku TF726 (FB7584 and IMUFB7584), Kitateruyasu 003 (FB686 and INJFAJ2810), Shigemaru (FB2124 and IMUFN2124), TF601 (FB5999 and IMUFZ5999) and JVP Yasutanisakura 931 (FB2102 and IMUFN2102) |
F13 (Factor XIII deficiency) | This genetic defect is not very common. If animals are affected, there is a severe deficiency of the fibrin-stabilizing factor 13. Bruising and bleeding are typical symptoms, often occurring on the hindquarters of affected calves. The slightest injury can be a trigger. | |
IARS | This hereditary disease, refers to "weak calf syndrome." This manifests itself in longer gestation periods, but where the calves are still weaker/lighter. Often, they do not suckle well after birth and die after a few days. The number of abortions from pregnancies is also higher. | Kitateryasudoi J2810 (IMJFAJ2810), Itozurudoi TF151 (IMUFLTF151), World K's Haruki 2 (WKSFM0139), Fukutsuru J068 (IMJFMJ068), JVP Yasutanisakura (IMUFN2102), Kikutsurudoi TF146 (IMUFRTF146) |
These disorders are controlled by a single pair of genes and will only manifest when the progeny inherit the specific genes from both parents. “Animals with only one copy of the undesirable gene and one copy of the normal form of the gene (i.e. no symptoms), are known as “carriers”. A carrier will, on average, pass the undesirable gene form to an arbitrary 50% of their progeny. When a carrier bull and
carrier cow are mated the three outcomes may be:
There is a 25% chance that the progeny will have two normal genes and so will never pass on the undesirable gene.
There is a 50% chance that the mating will produce a carrier.
There is a 25% chance that the progeny will inherit two copies of the undesirable gene and hence be affected by the genetic condition.
When a carrier animal is mated to an animal tested free of the genetic condition, three outcomes are possible:
All progeny will appear normal and will be unaffected by the condition.
There is a 50% chance that the mating will produce a carrier.
There is a 50% chance that the progeny produced will have two normal genes and so will never pass on the undesirable gene.
Note that an animal that is tested free by DNA testing of the genetic condition will not pass the genetic condition to its descendants, even if it has carriers in its own ancestry. Therefore, DNA-tested free animals can be used in a breeding program with confidence that the unfavorable gene is not passed onto subsequent generations” (www.wagyu.org.au).
Breeders typically aim to minimize the occurrence of any genetic defects through careful selection of breeding stock, avoiding breeding between carriers of known genetic defects, and employing genetic testing when available.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
DROUGHT:
We again want to encourage those breeders who do have spare grazing capacity, to purchase Wagyu animals from fellow breeders who have to sell, in order to prevent those animals going to auctions and being sold as commercial stock. Buyers and sellers are encouraged to advertise their cattle on the Namibian Wagyu Society WhatsApp group.
With kind regards
Joachim Cranz
NWS PRESIDENT
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