Itomichi 1/2

Itomichi 1/2 (TF36, FB2126) is a single bull whose registered name literally reads 'Itomichi 1/2', not two separate animals. He was one of the five black bulls (with Kikuhana, Itohana 2, Kinto and Terutani) exported by Hokkaido-based breeder Shogo Takeda beginning in 1994, the shipments that first allowed Fullblood Wagyu breeding outside Japan and reached the U.S. alongside 35 black heifers. His genetics are predominantly Shimane, commonly cited near 85% Shimane, 13% Tajima and 2% Kedaka, carried through his sire Itomichi and grandsire Dai 7 Itozakura, Shimane's most celebrated bull, crossed onto the Dai 2 Kintou cow family. Breeders value him for adding mature frame, growth rate and structural size while preserving marbling, which made him a workhorse for producing larger-framed Fullbloods and strong maternal lines. He is one of the most prolific Takeda foundation sires, with roughly 1,136 registrations in Australia. His descendants, such as the widely catalogued MR Itomichi 1/2 5725, keep his growth-plus-marbling profile circulating in modern herds across Australia and North America. He was still living in the U.S. as late as 2009, estimated over 2,000 lbs, and credited with increasing mature size and growth rate without sacrificing marbling. Recorded EBVs: 600-day +18, EMA +2.8, IMF% +0.2. Sold at $60/straw.