Genetic Tests

I want to begin by thanking everyone for welcoming me into a great family with open arms and being very supportive. With a couple of road trips and months under my belt, I am looking forward to the many events and challenges that are in front of me.

I have received a few questions regarding genetic tests recently, so I felt this was a good time to discuss the genetic tests available.

There are many genetic tests available on the market and I would like to explain them in more detail. Tests currently available include: parental verification tests, genetic defect tests, coat color tests, horned/polled tests and DNA marker tests to determine how many favorable markers an animal has for various economic traits.

Parental Verification Tests – Tests to qualify animals as the parent(s) of progeny. Right now parental verification tests are $38.

• All AI sires and donor dams MUST be parentally verified and those results recorded at the ACA before any progeny will be registered at the ACA.
• Make sure that you sign the form before it is submitted so that the results are released to the ACA.
• If you want to test an individual against a certain sire or dam, then the profile of the sire or dam needs to be on file before the progeny are tested.
• Submission forms and sample collection instructions can be obtained from the ACA office by contacting us at (816) 431-2808, acamarketing@earthlink.net or from the ACA website, www.chicattle. org, under the Genetic Testing Info tab on the left hand side of the page.

Genetic Defect Tests – Tests to determine whether an animal is free of genetic defects or a carrier of a genetic defect. Two of the genetic defects of concern to the Chi breed are TH (Tibial Hemimelia) and PHA (Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca). The cost of $42 includes both tests.

• All AI sires and donor dams MUST be tested for genetic defects and those results recorded at the ACA before any progeny will be registered at the ACA.
• Make sure that you sign the form before it is submitted so that the results are released to the ACA.
• When submitting the sample for genetic testing, make sure that you check the column to also release the sample for submission for parental verification.
• Submission forms and sample collection instructions can be obtained from the ACA office by contacting us at (816) 431-2808, acamarketing@earthlink.net or from the ACA website, www.chicattle. org, under the Genetic Testing Info tab on the left hand side of the page.
• The cost to test an animal for TH and PHA and have them parentally verified is $80. The $42 should be mailed along with the sample to AgriGenomics for TH and PHA tests. AgriGenomics will forward the sample for parental verification and the ACA will direct bill you $38 for the parental verification test.
• If an animal tests free for one genetic defect and it is mated to another animal that tests free for the same genetic defect then the progeny can be determined free by pedigree for that one genetic defect.
• If an animal tests free for both genetic defects and it is mated to another animal that tests free for both genetic defects then the progeny can be determined free by pedigree for both genetic defects.

Coat Color and Horned/Polled Status – An individual can be genetically tested to see if they are homozygous or heterozygous for the trait. The cost structure of these traits varies based on the company that performs the test.

• For coat color, results are reported as homozygous black or heterozygous black.
• For polled status, results are reported as homozygous polled or heterozygous polled.

DNA Marker Tests – There are companies offering DNA marker tests for traits that affect the profitability of a cattle producer. Traits you can test for include: marbling score, tenderness, feed efficiency, docility, heifer pregnancy, stayability, percent choice, yield grade, ribeye area, hot carcass weight and back fat. These tests start at around $40 per panel.

• A panel is the combination of traits a company is testing for, which can include DNA marker tests for several economically relevant traits, along with coat color, BVD/PI and polled/ horned tests.
• Igenity, Bovigen and MMI all offer DNA marker tests along with the coat color and polled/horned tests.
• These companies have combined tests such as DNA marker tests, coat color, parental verification and BVD/PI. Polled/horned tests can be included for an additional fee upon request.
• Each company has a profile of markers that is different from the other company’s profile of markers.
• Some of the companies do test for the same traits but each company tests different markers for those traits and they report the results differently.
• Below is a list of the company’s websites for sample collection instructions and sample submission forms. Some of these websites also have lists of animals that have been tested and have results released to the public.

Igenity – www.igenity.com
Bovigen – www.bovigen.com
MMI – www.mmigenomics.com

When submitting any of these genetic tests, allow plenty of time for results to be returned to you. Plan ahead!

Please feel free to contact me at (816) 431-2808 or acamarketing@earthlink. net if you have any more questions about any of these genetic tests, submission forms or sample collection instructions.

Make sure the data you collect makes it to the ACA to be recorded. Your data is very important to you and the breed. By reporting data to the ACA it is incorporated into our computer system, which helps you, the breed and the association. The more data reported to the ACA from you, especially performance data in valid contemporary groups, the more accurate the data will be that is reported by the ACA.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting and visiting with everyone through my travels this spring.

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