CA, a genetic abnormality inherited as a simple recessive trait, has a negative impact on performance and productivity. Muscle development is reported consistently poor in the affected calves that survive. Severe cases have difficulty with locomotion and suckling and some die or get destroyed prematurely.
 
Because the ASA has an open herdbook, allowing other breeds into our database and percentage pedigrees, Contractual Arachnodactyly could be a risk in certain cattle.  We strongly suggest using ASA's website Animal Search function to access the most up-to-date genetic abnormality-status (TraitTrac) for each animal in our database.

Reporting Abnormal Calves: Call ASA immediately. ASA will reimburse all expenses. Take photos or video that best display the abnormality. We will need DNA (hair or tissue) from the calf, dam and sire. (We have DNA on all A.I. sires and donor dams.) If the calf is dead, chill the carcass until ASA has been contacted.

Useful Links

www.angus.org