What is ASA's Genetic Defect Policy? The American Simmental Association has modified its genetic monitoring policy recognizing the development of DNA marker tests and the importance of members having access to this information to assist in identifying and monitoring genetic defects within their own herd and for animals they are considering adding to their herd. A new policy went into effect on June 1, 2009. The genetic defect status for animals is now displayed on ASA’s HerdBook services website. Identifying Suspect Animals - Any animal with a documented carrier in the pedigree, unless the intermediary ancestors are tested-free or designated pedigree-free.
- Any sire or embryo donor dam with 1/8 blood or more of the defective gene source (breed, line, herd) unless the intermediary ancestors are tested-free or pedigree-free.
Full Detail Description - ASA's Policy on Genetic Defects
How Do I Find Genetic Statuses of Animals in My Herd? Go to HerdBook Services website.
1. Log In (contact ASA if you do not have a password).
2. Select: Herd Mgmt
3. Select: Reports
Select: desired group (or your entire herd).
Select: Genetic Summary (under Reports).
Select: desired sort (optional).
4. Select: Generate Report
This will display a report showing the genetic status of each animal in the group you selected along with its sire and dam. You are able to export this list to a spreadsheet by selecting csv (for most spreadsheet programs) or xls (for Excel); then select download. Note: Selecting an individual animal (by placing the mouse arrow over the animal id of an animal) will take you to its own Information on DNA and Genetic Tests page.
HerdBook Services.
Monitoring Genetic Defects
Can You find a Genetic Defect Status for any Animal? Review One Animal.
- Use the link to HerdBook Services – Animal Search (below) to search for one animal.
- Or go to HerdBook Services, select Data Search, select Animal Search.
HerdBook Services - Animal Search
What Animals Require Testing? Determine animals that will require testing.
ASA’s database is programmed to identify and update each animal with a genetic status based on either ancestral (pedigree) information or genetic test information. As more information is received, ASA automatically updates the database. If an animal is at least 1/8 blood (of a breed, line or herd) where the genetic defect carriers are documented and this portion (1/8 blood) of the pedigree is not documented, then this animal shall be designated as a suspect. If the animal has the following designations and is/will be used as a sire or donor dam: CL (lt red/pink) – Carrier in Lineage and this animal is used as a sire or donor dam testing is required to submit progeny. This means that at least one animal in the pedigree is a known carrier. PR (yellow) – Population Risk and this animal is used as a sire or donor dam, testing is required to submit progeny. This means that there is unknown information in the pedigree that may indicate a risk. Some animals that are coded as PR (yellow) may be changed to DF (Document Free) by submitting additional information (from an ASA accepted source, i.e. breed association). Note: Research of the pedigree is suggested. If you go back in the line, you may determine that testing an earlier generation may benefit (and a cost savings) more animal records (especially if it is a well used sire). | Contact a member of the Processing Team at ASA (406.587.4531). They will be happy to work with you to determine animals that will need testing. |
What Genetic Tests Are Required? One animal may need more than one genetic defect test.
Use the HerdBook animal search option (to enter an animal id) or if you are reviewing your herd report (select an animal) – select the genetic status (by clicking on the round colored circle) or select genetic details (toward the bottom of the screen). This will display the information on DNA and Genetic Tests for an animal. It will display all the tests required and the status for each test. It also has a legend to remind you of the genetic status codes (description and color). Detailed Information on each Genetic Defect Detailed Information on AM - Bovine Arthrogyroposis (curly calf) Detailed Information on NH - Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH) (hydro water head) Detailed Information on OS - Osteoptetrosis (marble bone) Detailed Information on PHA - Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca Detailed Information of TH - Tibial Hemimelia Detailed Information on DW1 - Dwarfism
Detailed Information on IE - Idiopathic Epilepsy
What Steps Do I Follow to Test? Remember that testing is required of the sire and/or donor dam in order to report or register the offspring. - Determine the required genetic test needed.
Remember that testing is required of the sire and/or donor dam in order to report or register the offspring. - Contact desired lab. Use the links below to research the labs and tests they provide.
For each genetic test being monitored animals are denoted as:
TC / TF Tested – carrier (TC ) or free (TF )
PF Not tested but ancestors in question tested free (PF).
CL Not tested but with a carrier in lineage (CL)
PR Not tested but from a population with known risk (PR)
AF Not tested and not from a population with a known risk (AF). Note: If no status is displayed for a specific defect or displayed as AF, ASA has no information to show otherwise and the animal is assumed to be free of the genetic defect. It is not a guarantee that the animal is free of the genetic defect. If the sire or donor dam is ASA registered only and testing is required.
Research – Trace back in the ancestry (pedigree) to determine the genetic tests on the appropriate animal.
Select the appropriate lab that provides the services needed. Labs and Tests They Provide:
AgriGenomics - AM, CA, NH, PHA, TH, OS
Phone: 1.217.762.9808
http://www.agrigenomicsinc.com/cattle.html
AgriGenomics Home Page
AgriGenomics Instructions for Genetic Testing
AgriGenomics Kit and Report Form
AgriGenomics Pricing Genex Cooperative Inc. - AM & NH
Phone: 888.333.1783
http://genex.crinet.com
AM and NH Test submission form MMI Genomics, Inc. - AM, NH, & OS
Phone: 800.311.8808
http://mmigenomics.com
Pricing and Instructions Pfizer – AM, CA, NH, OS, PHA, TH, & IE
Phone: 1.877.233.3362
http://www.pfizeranimalgenetics.com/sites/PAG/Pages/Testing_and_Results.aspx Pfizer Home Page
Pfizer Instructions for Genetic Testing
Pfizer Kit and Report Form
Pfizer Pricing Igenity – AM, CA, NH, PHA, TH, OS, DI, IE
Phone: 1.877.IGENITY
http://www.igenity.com/resources/KnowledgeCenter.aspx?ref Igenity Home Page
Igenity Instructions for Genetic Testing
Igenity Report Form
Igenity Kit
Igenity Kit Pricing
If the animals are from other breed registries – there are three options.
- Submit an official report to ASA showing the genetic status results from other Breed Associations.
- Extend the pedigree of the parent with the 1/8 unknown blood.
- Breeder must obtain a copy of its dam and sire
- Adding one additional generation fee is $10.00
Note: Depending on the ancestral information provided (by adding the additional generation) the testing requirement may be eliminated or testing may still be required. - Complete the required genetic defect test(s).
When Does the Testing Need to be Completed? Before progeny can be added to ASA’s herdbook.
ASA will accept the information submitted by a member to ensure that the data is processed with its contemporary group and registered, however, the animal record will be placed in a “genetic hold status” until the required genetic tests are completed (the genetic hold status will automatically be removed once the tests are completed).
Change (if possible) the genetic status of animals in your herd.
Review your member-herd genetic defect report (or individual animals) and if you are concerned about animals carrying the CL- Carrier in Lineage (lt red/pink) or PR – Population Risk (yellow) status. Listed below are some suggestions. Note: In some situations carrying this designation will not cause any problems with the reporting of progeny, however, some members may feel that this will cause marketing or perception problems. - The next generation (offspring) may carry the “green” designation if a member can accept that a parent will carry a CL – Carrier in Lineage (lt red/pink) or PR – Population Risk designation (yellow).
- Parent identified as a commercial animal but is really registered with another breed association; it may be worth a member to pay $17.00 and register the parent and correct the offspring’s record. Realize that this may not solve the problem, the ancestry must be researched.
- Identify your core active herd animals where testing will change the genetic defect designations in your herd and test.
How Do I Report the Results to the ASA? An electronic report is preferred. The report must be from an ASA approved source. Many labs will honor your request to send the results directly to ASA. The Angus Association provides a herd inventory report with the genetic status for each animal that you may forward to ASA (in excel format). ASA will accept the genetic testing results the following ways: Report/Document from another Breed Association. Report directly from any lab that does the required genetic defect testing. Lab report from a member (report must be from an ASA approved source – lab or breed association.
Link to ASA Policy on Genetic Defects
Link to Monitoring Genetic Defects | 
