Master Breeder Shogo Takeda, of Takeda Farms has been a leading breeder in Japan and is a pioneer of the Wagyu breed throughout the rest of the world. Takeda Farms genetics have had an immeasurable impact on the breed in Australia and the United States. Numerous maternal were included in the Takeda Farms importation of live Wagyu to the United States. One of those lines is the Hikokura family, which trace back to the Ezokintou cow. This line has continually shown its genetic superiority with elite sires and cows constantly coming from this family. Some of the well-known and breed leading early bulls from the Hikokuras are TF Itomichi ½ , TF Teruntani 40/1, and Mitsuhikokura TF 149.
Three major matriarchs have emerged as leading females in this maternal line: Dai 2 Kinntou 3, TF Hikohime 3/2, and Hikokura 1/7. These females trace back directly to Ezokintou J11691 on the maternal side. Ezokintou is a daughter of the cow Takeda himself has said was his best cow, Kintou. These three cows have produced an astounding number of proven sires and dams in herds around the world including the likes of new breed leaders Mayura Itoshigenami JNR, Coates Itoshigenami G113, and Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154.
This brings us to the second matriarch on the list, TF Hikohime 3/2. She has produced leading direct maternal descendant sires Coates Itoshigenami G113, Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154, Sumo Cattle Co Hirashigetayasu E148, Mayura D0482, CHR Kitaguni 07K, and CHR Takazakura 101L to name a few.
Current breed leading sire Coates Itoshigenami G113 is putting together an impressive carcass resume in the Macquarie Wagyu program. On 50 carcasses he is averaging a marble score of 8.5 and hot standing carcass weight of 513 kg (1,128.6 lbs)! Often described as a “freak combination of growth and marbling,” his genetics are in high demand with semen selling for a breed record $50,000/ straw in the 2021 Elite Wagyu Sale and two daughters selling for $100,000 and $80,000 in the 2019 Elite Sale. His Breedplan EBVs back everything up with an elite MS of 2.5 and CW of 60.
Back in the Sumo Wagyu program again we find Sumo Cattle Co Michifuku F154. He is leading the program in carcass results and EBVs with a 21 carcass average of 8.6 MS and 462 kg (1,016.4 lbs.) HSCW. He is also in high demand with a daughter selling for $80,000 in the 2019 Elite Wagyu Sale and a son selling for $50,000.
Also originating from the Sumo Wagyu herd, and now shining in the McCosker’s Codenwarra herd, is Sumo Cattle Co Hirashigetayasu E148. He is an elite 001 son with impressive growth and carcass weight EBVs on genomics and 6 carcasses in Breedplan. He indexes extremely high at $245 SRI, $196 FTI, and $164 F1-TI.
In the Mayura Station program, a Sanjirou son, Mayura D0482, is putting together impressive numbers. He is leading their progeny test program in marble score and eye muscle area the last 12 months as of May 2019. On 47 carcasses he is averaging 9.01 MS, 407 kg (895.4 lbs.) HSCW, and 97.2 cm2 (15.07 in2) EMA at the 10th/11th rib. A son of his sold for $25,000 in the 2019 Elite Wagyu sale.
In the United States, at Crescent Harbor Ranch, well known and highly used sires CHR Kitaguni 07K and CHR Takazakura 101L both hail from TF Hikohime 3/2. CHR Kitaguni 07K is well known for high marbling and producing great carcasses. CHR Takazakura 101L is found in many pedigrees and is synonymous with balanced females and great maternal traits.
Sires, however, are not the only ones experiencing carcass data success from these matriarchs. Mayura Station’s top cow is Wagyu Genetics Hikohime D8223, a descendant of TF Hikohime 3/2. She has averaged a carcass camera predictive BMS of 11, 458 kg (1,010 lbs.) HSCW, and 115.33 cm2 (17.87 in2) EMA on four carcasses. She is the dam of exciting Mayura progeny test bull Mayura N0387.
In the Macquarie Wagyu program, the cow Coates Tani E417 has shown the power of TF Hikohime 3/2 also. This cow has produced an impressive average of MS 9 and 484 kg (1,062.6 lbs.) HSCW on 6 carcasses. She is the dam of top genomic tested Y408 son Macquarie Wagyu M0477, who has indexes of $244 SRI, $212 FTI, and $184 F1-TI.
This maternal line features the rare combination of great growth, size, and carcass quality. We have been greatly impressed by the performance of the Hikokuras and can see why they are the top of Takeda genetics. The Hikokuras will improve any herd, or program, through females and/or sires. This line can be bred from with confidence and taken in many directions. We have experienced a high demand for genetics from the Hikokuras.
