Okutani was one of three outstanding heifers imported together from Japan in 1993 (the other two were Suzutani and Rikitani). The sire of Okutani was Okushige, who along with his two full brothers (Namimune and Shigmune) amazingly all ranked #1 in Japan for BMS. Namimune was #1 in 1988, Okushige was #1 in 1990, and Shigmune was #1 in 1995. Okutani’s maternal grand dam, Itofuji 9, was sired by the immortal sire, Dai 7 Itozakura. Okutani’s powerful genetic foundation makes it no surprise that her descendants have influenced the Wagyu breed in both the US and Australia.
Mating Okutani to Haruki II produced AI progeny proven sons Beijiro and Genjiro. She also produced top Australian sire Sher Murai (SWSFT0032), a Kenhanafuji son. Beijiro semen has been proven to be difficult to find and is expensive because of demand. Genjiro is a high ranking bull on the Self Replacing Index in Australia. A full sister to Genjiro and Bejiro is Fujiko. The recipient cow carrying Fujiko as an embryo sold for $50,000. Fujiko has since proven her worth by being an elite foundation cow in the Wagyu breed. The rights to simply clone her sold for $26,000 at the Texas Wagyu Association’s “Steaks Are High Sale”. Her genetics and offspring have been invaluable in breeding programs such as Wagyu Sekai, Kay Ranch, Sutton Creek, and Dow Ranches. Genetics from this maternal line have been influential in breeding programs in the USA, Canada, Australia and are now reaching into the EU and South Africa.
In the 2019 Australian Elite Wagyu Sale embryos from Wagyu Sekai sired by Kanadagene 100 and out of elite EBV Okutani donor Elizabeth (TF 148, +$200 SRI genomics) sold for a then record $10,200 each (total price $40,800).
In the 2020 Elite Wagyu Sale records were smashed again by Vendor Wagyu Sekai. Okutani embryos from WSI Tai Ms Ito (TF 151 +$200 SRI Okutani donor) sired by Kanadagene sold for $23,000 per embryo for four embryos to buyer Mayura Station. Also in this Sale 10 Straws of Genjiro sold for $1,500/ Straw to HP Wagyu.
Sara P has become the foundation of the Okuntani maternal line here at Synergy. Sara P topped the 2013 Belcampo sale for $19,500 and sold for $10,000 at 10 yrs of age in the 2018 Synergy Genetic Opportunity Sale. Sara is one of the most impressive cows you will ever find in the wagyu breed weighing in at over 1600lbs!! We are proud to be working with daughters of her by CHR Shigeshigetani 5 and Red Galaxy.
