Hikokura Maternal Line

 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. 

The third matriarch on the list is Hikokura 1/7 and her daughter Hikokura 1/10. She has produced leading direct maternal descendants TF 813 Kimitofuku, Itomichi TF 728, TF Yasutani 1012, TF Takefuku 823, LMR Akahige 8119U, and LMR Sensie 817T. 

TF 813 Kimitofuku is a popular Itoshigenami son working well in many programs in the United State, including the Joseph Decuis herd, Marble Ranch, and Lone Mountain Ranch. According to the most recent published data from Lone Mountain Ranch, TF 813 is averaging 32.91% IMF on 9 carcasses in their program. This ranks 9th in the herd and slightly ahead of breed greats, Kitaguni Jr, Yasufuku Jr, and 003. 

Another Takeda bred sire working in many herds, and a herd sire in the Joseph Decuis program, is Itomichi TF 728. In published data from the Marble Ranch program, and sale catalog, he has averaged an impressive line of 36.63% IMF, 964 lbs (438.2 kg) HCW, and 16.95 in2 (109.4 cm2) EMA. 

Bred and proven in the Lone Mountain Ranch program are sires LMR Akahige 8119U and LMR Sensie 817T. LMR Akahige 8119U has averaged 29.24% IMF on 12 carcasses and is ranked 2nd in marble fineness. LMR Sensei 817T is the 3rd ranker dam sire for IMF at 32.8% IMF. 

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.