Yasufuku 165-9: The Best Breeding Bull In Japan's History
Table of Contents
* Note: This is not a direct translation of Kenichi Ono’s “Top 100 Famous Beef of Japan [Revised Edition]” but a summary that was written using it as a direct source.
Intro
In recent years (the 2000s), the proportion of high-grade carcasses in the Japanese beef market, especially A5 and B5 grades, has significantly declined. Possible reasons include a slump in demand due to the economic downturn following the burst of the economic bubble, leading to substantial reductions in entertainment expenses and a decrease in the use of premium wagyu beef for gifts such as mid-year and year-end presents. There is also a theory that grading standards have become slightly stricter. Another hypothesis is the decline in texture and firmness due to excessive weight gain in cattle. Furthermore, the increase in crossbred cattle has contributed to a rise in the distribution of Grade 3 carcasses. Amid this trend of declining high-grade carcass ratios, Yasufuku 165-9 has maintained top-class meat quality nationwide.
Figure 1. Yasufuku 165-9
Early Life
Yasufuku 165-9 was born on April 29, 1985 (Showa 60) at the Gifu Prefecture Livestock Breeding Center (now the Livestock Research Institute). Its sire was Yasufuku, whose popularity was rapidly rising after indirect testing had concluded at the time. The dam, Shigefuji 13-7, was a descendant of Shigenami Ito, who had been leading Gifu’s livestock improvement efforts until the introduction of Yasufuku. As its name suggests, Yasufuku 165-9 was a breeding bull born at the testing station, and its unique name, a numerical designation, was given to make it easier to identify among numerous cattle. While the origin of the numbering is unknown, it is undeniable that this bull left an unforgettable legacy for many beef farmers nationwide.
In August 1986 (Showa 61), Yasufuku 165-9 was sold from Gifu Prefecture to the Livestock Improvement Association and was utilized for wagyu improvement across the country. Two years earlier, a breeding bull with a nearly identical lineage, Koei, had been stationed at the Morioka Livestock Improvement Center through a similar route, so Yasufuku 165-9 did not initially attract much attention. However, by June 1989 (Heisei 1), when indirect testing concluded, its sire Yasufuku had become an icon of fame, propelling the popularity of both Koei and Yasufuku 165-9. The demand for their straws quickly exceeded supply. From that point until its death (decommissioning) in October 1992 (Heisei 4)—and even now—the popularity of 165-9 has never waned.
Within just six years of use, Yasufuku 165-9 produced over 60,000 straws. After being retired, it was eventually sold at the Tokyo Meat Market.
Features
Strengths:
- Exceptional meat quality (meat color, marbling, ribeye size, and rib thickness)
- Weight gain efficiency
- Excellent body conformation
- Strong genetic traits
- Early maturity
- Absence of excessive marbling in the thigh area
Weaknesses:
- Fat necrosis
- Occurrence of abnormal hair color
- Reproductive issues (e.g., poor semen quality, insufficient milk production, and reproductive disorders around the 2nd or 3rd parity)
- Aggressive temperament
The marbling ability of Yasufuku 165-9 is beyond doubt. In the breeding value rankings for bulls in Hokkaido, published in May 2000, Yasufuku 165-9 was ranked first by a significant margin. Furthermore, at the Carcass Research Meeting for calves produced via in vitro fertilization in June 2000 (34 entries), the 21 carcasses from Yasufuku 165-9 offspring dominated the top awards. Despite the event being held during a period of relatively low market prices, the offspring achieved outstanding results: an average carcass weight of 454.5 kg, an average unit price of ¥2,400 per kilogram, and an average total price of ¥1,093,219. These results included carcasses graded A5 (12 head), B5 (1 head), A4 (6 head), and A3 (2 head).
While Yasufuku 165-9 exhibits extraordinary marbling potential, its use as a breeding cow presents challenges. Excessive fat deposition has been identified as a cause of reproductive disorders, with many cows failing to conceive after their third parity. Proper calorie control and moderate exercise are crucial. Additionally, approximately 5% of offspring display a slightly whitish reddish-brown coat color. This issue ultimately led to Yasufuku 165-9’s retirement. However, data from fattening tests show that these animals perform just as well as normal-colored cattle in terms of fattening value, proving they are equally viable for fattening purposes (the official reason for retirement was fat necrosis).
Pedigree Background
The sire of Yasufuku 165-9, Yasufuku, is considered a masterpiece bull produced in 1980 (Showa 55) in Hyogo Prefecture. Yasufuku is renowned for its excellent meat color, texture, body conformation, and weight gain efficiency. It was used in Gifu Prefecture and produced approximately 75,000 straws over 12 years. Notable offspring of Yasufuku include An’ei, Hida Hakusei (Gifu), Takakoei, Yasufukuku-ei, Fukuei (produced by the Livestock Improvement Association), Yasufuku 6-3 (Hokkaido), An’ito (Tottori), Yasufuku 165-10, and Yasufuku 165-8 (Nagasaki), among others. The Yasufuku lineage has become the cornerstone of modern Japanese bull breeding.
The maternal grandsire, Shigefuji, is a representative bull of the Shigenami Ito lineage. It is known for its exceptional weight gain, large ribeye size, and reproductive ability (high fertility, longevity, and excellent maternal care). Its progeny include bulls like Netsutakashi, widely known for their use in embryo transfer programs.
The great-grandsire, Ishidaya, was from the Hiroshima Kita region, belonging to the Daiya 4 lineage. The fourth-generation ancestor, Hyogo Kura-no-Tomi, also contributed to the creation of Yasufuku 165-9 through nearly complete outbreeding (crossbreeding between unrelated lineages).
It is extremely rare for a top-tier bull to be created through outbreeding, but Yasufuku 165-9 is believed to have been conceived using straws from Yasufuku during his peak breeding period (around 1984-85, at 4–5 years old). The author attributes Yasufuku 165-9’s outstanding traits to the peak capabilities of its sire, Yasufuku.
Main Successor Bull Candidates
1. Fukuan (Aomori Prefecture)
Fukuan, a progeny of Yasufuku 165-9, achieved top results in the bull breeding value rankings announced in Aomori in 1999 (see Appendix 2). This was in the midst of a booming calf market driven by the popularity of “Dai 1 Hanakuni,” a progeny of Hokukoku 7-8. Despite having a closely related bloodline to Monjiro, a bull from the Livestock Improvement Association’s lineage, Fukuan exhibited stable results in both growth performance and meat quality. However, its weak semen quality and low conception rates are notable drawbacks. Nonetheless, the high performance of its limited offspring leaves no doubt about its value for livestock improvement.
Additionally, its full siblings, Takean (born in 1992, DG: 0.85 kg, carcass weight: 322 kg, ribeye area: 44 cm², BMS: 2.6 [range 1–4]) and Anjiro (born in 1991, maternal grandsire: Monjiro), are also regarded as promising stars in Aomori.
2) Hironobu (Livestock Improvement Association, Morioka)
Hironobu, active in Akita’s Senboku region (mainly around Oyama City), gained recognition for both its field performance and genetic potential. It was transferred to the Livestock Improvement Association in November 1999, where it continued to perform. Many of its offspring exhibit the best characteristics of both Yasufuku 165-9 and Dai 7 Itosakura, making them highly valuable as breeding cows. However, caution is advised when crossing its maternal line with cattle from Shimane or Tottori Prefectures, as it may result in slightly unbalanced body conformation.
In Akita, another notable bull, Yasufukuan (born in 1995, maternal grandsire: Tochinishiki, great-grandsire: Anmikane), has also debuted. Additionally, the Livestock Improvement Association tested six Yasufuku 165-9 progenies in the 10-bull testing program completed in 2001, with five selected for full-scale use.
3) Yasufukuhide (Ibaraki Prefecture)
In Ibaraki Prefecture, which had lacked a standout bull since Tanifuku 6, a new star, Yasufukuhide, a progeny of Yasufuku 165-9, has emerged, drawing attention. It is characterized by well-developed ribeye and surrounding muscles, producing lean yet marbled meat with fine texture. If semen collection proceeds smoothly, Yasufukuhide could become a savior for Ibaraki’s cattle industry. Another promising candidate is Dai 2 Yasufukuharu (sire: Yasufuku 165-9, maternal grandsire: Itohikari, DG: 0.87 kg, ribeye area: 45 cm², BMS: 3.0, CL16+), which recently completed testing.
4) Toyoyasufuku (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Toyoyasufuku, selected for its top-tier performance in Yamaguchi Prefecture, has garnered significant attention. This bull was bred through close inbreeding with female offspring of Yasufuku brought in from Gifu Prefecture. It is expected to deliver stable meat quality and excellent growth performance.
5) Kawasachi (Nagasaki Prefecture)
In Nagasaki Prefecture, where stable calf production is promoted through rigorous triple-crossbreeding, Kawasachi, a progeny of Yasufuku 165-9, is in use. While there is a slight tendency toward coarse marbling, which leads to some variation in fattening performance, expectations for its future remain high.
6)Anshu 165 (Yamagata Prefecture)
In the indirect performance tests completed in January 2002, Anshu 165 achieved the highest BMS score in Yamagata’s history at the time. Its pedigree is a pure Tajiri line, making it highly promising for meat quality improvement.
Breeding Considerations & Recommendations
1. Characteristics of the Yasufuku 165-9 Line
Yasufuku 165-9 descendants are generally characterized by early maturity and high marbling ability. For producing feeder calves, it is ideal to cross them with maternal lines that have a tendency toward later maturity, such as Kedaka Ito (e.g., Hirashigekatsu, Kenshin, Fukasakura) or Shigeharunami lines (e.g., Shigekatsu, Shigenami). This helps to mitigate risks of fat necrosis during the fattening period (20–24 months) and prevents flavor degradation.
2. Reproductive Cow Production
The weaknesses of the Yasufuku 165-9 line—poor reproductive longevity and aggressive temperament—must be addressed. Crossbreeding with calm Tajiri lines or maternal lines known for high reproductive longevity (e.g., Dai 7 Itosakura, Hokukoku 7-8, Itofuku) is recommended. Producing balanced females through such breeding strategies is crucial for the long-term sustainability of beef cattle operations. Farmers are advised to prioritize calm and docile lineages, as many small and medium-sized farms fail due to accidents caused by aggressive cattle. It is important to avoid overvaluing bulls solely based on pedigree if their temperament poses risks during handling.
3. Genetic Disorders and Market Transparency
For Yasufuku 165-9 progenies, accurate information about coat color variations and the CL16 genetic disorder is essential. Breeders and market stakeholders should collaborate to prevent disputes post-sale. Despite their high capabilities and economic value, which are widely acknowledged, responsible utilization of these cattle is vital, especially in regions with lower calf prices or emerging breeding areas.
Due to these two major shortcomings (temperament and genetic issues), advanced regions such as Miyazaki and Kagoshima often avoid using Yasufuku 165-9 line cattle. However, this presents an opportunity for other regions to leverage the high genetic potential of these cattle, narrowing regional disparities in a short period. The key lies in accurate information dissemination and appropriate guidance.
References
小野健一. 続 ⦁ 日本名牛百選. 肉牛新報社.
