Triangle B Ranch follows a strict breeding program using Japanese and American best breeding practices. The Ranch uses the following breeding methods.

The majority of the ranch’s bulls are bred using the methods set out below. These approaches to breeding bulls provide hybrid vigor in the offspring during Rotational Breeding ™.

Line breeding
• A1/A2/A3
• B1/B2/B3

Half-Cross
• C/B/A

In Cross
• B/A1/A2

Back Cross
• A1/B/A2

Where, A = Growth, B = Marble, C = AxB

The Ranch’s females are primarily bred using a rotational or sandwich breeding model which was developed in Japan. The Rotational Breeding Model™ was released by Mr. Shogo Takeda in 2006. A similar model, The Sandwich Cross Model, was released in the Japanese Wagyu Journal by Masakazu Miyashia DVM in 2007. These breeding methods result in balanced females and fat cattle with more consistent carcasses. Below is a graphic of the Rotational Breeding Model™:

According to Mr. Shogo Takeda, “Super size, good marbling, good milk production, and good calf raising ability are the keys to success in Wagyu breeding!” However, too many breeders are still focusing too heavily on marbling, at the expense of other important traits, “Tajima, Tajima, Tajima,” he said, with understated effect….

Under Mr. Takeda’s four-stage rotational breeding plan, the emphasis is put on building frame score first, and then marbling. Mr. Takeda maintains that a breeding program based on his rotation technique is more likely to deliver the best overall profitability in the long term.

For each of the Group: A, B, C, and D, he lists the traits in order of priority and significance.

Group A – (Shimane- Itozakura Lines) – Large Size, Good Marbling, Excellent Maternal Sire
Group B – (100% or High Tajima) – Small Size, Best Marbling, Poor Maternal Sire
Group C – (Kedaka, Okayama, Hiroshima Lines) – Large Size, Good Marbling, Excellent Maternal Sire
Group D – (High Tajima) – Medium Size, Better Marbling, Average Maternal Sire

This model is based in a broad sense on a back cross method. It is recommended to use a different sire from the same group on the second rotation. If you start with high Tajima dams at the beginning, use growth type sires (Group A or C) to increase the body size but pay attention to calving issues. It is best to flush these dams and use larger recipients. Generally calves from Group B or D (Terminal sire) are smaller than Group A or C’s (Maternal sire). It is recommend that you monitor the growth ratio in line with the standard growth chart and don’t keep under-performing heifers as replacements. The chart is included below: