DNA Testing
The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA), through its partnership with Neogen, offers several DNA testing options for all of its members and commercial customers.
All DNA orders, with the exception of commercial producer DNA testing, must be submitted electronically through the AGA Online Registry Service.
For assistance ordering DNA tests please contact the American Gelbvieh Association office at 303-465-2333.
How to Order DNA Tests
AGA DNA Testing Policy
Neogen accepts both blood samples and hair samples. Blood samples are $.75 each and hair cards are $5.00/each. Blood and hair sample cards can be obtained by contacting the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or emailing registry@gelbvieh.org.
Neogen now also accepts tissue samples using the Allflex tissue sampling unit (TSU). To order TSUs or a TSU applicator, please call the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or email registry@gelbvieh.org. The TSUs pack of 10 is $25.00 plus shipping and the applicator is $50.00 plus shipping.
DNA Testing Options
GGP-100k – $48.00:
This high-density panel includes markers and parent verification if parents have markers on file with AGA. This panel is generally used on registered sale animals and is required for all walking sires of January 2016 and later born registered calves. This test is required for AI sires and donor dams. Add-on pricing is available for trait tests listed below.
GGP-uLD – $30.00:
This ultra-low-density panel includes markers and parent verification if parents have markers on file with AGA. This panel is generally used for replacement heifers. This test does not include add-on options, additional tests may be run as stand-alone. **Available exclusively with tissue samples**
All animals tested using Genomic Options will receive Genomic-Enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs).
The following tests may be ordered as a stand-alone test or added on to GGP-100k
Coat Color (CC) – $15.00 stand-alone/ $6.00 add-on:
Tests to determine if the animal carries any recessive genes for red coat color or wild type.
Horned/Polled (H/P) – $39.00 stand-alone/$29.00 add-on:
Tests whether the animal is a carrier of the horned gene.
BVD-PI – $5.00 stand-alone/$5.00 add-on:
Tests the animal to determine if they are persistently infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD).
Tenderness – $6.00 add-on:
Tenderness – Identifies the tenderness potential of beef cattle through analyzing multiple markers associated with tenderness. Results are given in a 1-10 score, with 10 being the most tender.
Diluter – $6.00 add-on
Stand Alone Parentage (included in Genomic Options 1, 2 and 3) – $15.00
Parents of an animal can be verified when the option is selected on the order, if the parents are on file with the AGA. If you are unsure if the parents are on file please contact the AGA office.
All Conditions Panel – $40.00 stand-alone/$30.00 add-on:
Includes testing for OS,AM,NH, DD (tenderness and diluter only included with the standalone)
AI Sires and Donor Dam Requirements:
Genomic Option 1 (GGP-100k) – $48.00
All Conditions Panel – $30.00 add-on
These animals must be parent verified to their sire and dam on file. Parents of these animals with need to have Stand Alone Parentage – $15.00.
**Starting July 1, 2020 all donor dams and AI sires who do not meet the DNA requirements will need to go through a $100 waiver process. Please call the AGA office if you have any questions.**
Herd Sire Requirements:
Genomic Option 2 (GGP-100K) – $48
Genetic Conditions Testing
*Abnormal calves should be reported to the AGA Executive Director by telephone as soon as they are discovered*
Testing for all of these conditions is available exclusively on the all conditions panel. Testing for individual genetic conditions is no longer available.
Osteopetrosis (OS):
Tests to see if the animal is a carrier of the recessive gene that results in a defect primarily found in Red Angus influenced animals. If two carriers are mated together, this defect, also known as Marble Bone Disease, can result in a small, stillborn calf with abnormalities of the skeletal system.
Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) :
Determines whether the animal is a carrier for the recessive genetic condition that is passed to Gelbvieh and Balancer® animals primarily through Angus influence. This genetic condition, also known as Curly Calf, results in calves that are born dead or die shortly after birth and have an abnormal appearance
with crooked spine and legs and have limited muscle development.
Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH):
Tests if the animal carries this recessive genetic condition that is passed through Angus influence. NH results in abortions or calves that are born near term with very low birth weights. Calves with this defect have an enlarged cranium with the cranial cavity filled with fluid and no brain or spinal tissue evident.
Developmental Duplication (DD):
Determines if the animal is a carrier of this recessive genetic condition that comes from an Angus
influence. Symptoms are exhibited differently in affected animals and can range from a smaller sized calf to an extra limb (in the shoulder area).
Genetic conditions result in affected offspring when mating two carriers occurs. To manage the
prevalence of genetic conditions in your herd, mate carrier animals to only non-carriers. Testing progeny of carrier animals and retaining only clean animals will help keep the frequency of genetic conditions in your herd low.
How to Order:
Call the AGA office (303-465-2333) to request a Commercial DNA Testing form and follow these instructions:
1. Enter information in DNA Sample Form. Total for payment will be automatically updated on the last tab of the order form at the bottom.
2. To allow for faster processing of the DNA sample(s) please save a copy of the completed file. Print two copies of the Samples and Order Forms. Send one copy with payment to the AGA office and send the other copy to with the samples directly to Neogen.
3. Please include email address on the order form to receive a copy of the results electronically.
How to Get Results:
Please allow 3-4 weeks for results to come in. Once results are in, you will recieve an email with a copy of the results attached. If you would like a hard copy of the results either reply to the email with the request or contact the AGA office.
Coat Color | EDED = Homozygous Black; | Horned/Polled | HH = Homozygous Horned; | Docility | Based on Igenity score of 1-10 with 10 being most favorable; |
ee = Homozygous Red; | PP = Homozygous Polled; | Tenderness | Based on Igenity score of 1-10 with 10 being most favorable; |
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EDe = Black Hided-Red Carrier | HP = Heterozygous Polled; | BVD PI | No = Presence of BVD virus is NOT detected; Yes = Presence of BVD virus is detected; |
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EDE+ = Typically Black Hided, Wild Type; | I = Inderterminate; | ||||
E+ED = Typically Black Hided, Wild Type; | |||||
E+e = Wild type; | |||||
E+E+ = Wild type; | |||||
– D = verified thru DNA; | – P = verified thru parents; |
Accurate animal identification is key to successful DNA testing.
As the partnership between AGA and IMI Global continues to grow, members can now order animal identification supplies directly with IMI Global. Affordable options for EIDs, Ear Tags, and TSUs can be purchased by filling out the order form below.
Disclaimer- Purchasing animal identification supplies from IMI Global does not guarantee enrollment in IMI Global verification and certification programs. Contact the AGA at (303) 465-2333 to learn more about receiving price premiums by enrolling in a third-party verified marketing program.
IMI Global is a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc.
COW POWER FEMALE GENOTYPING PROJECT
Discover the cow power in your herd!
The Cow Power Female Genotyping project is collaborative effort with the American Gelbvieh Association, American Gelbvieh Foundation and Neogen to increase the number of genotypes and phenotypic information on females in the AGA herdbook. Collection of this information helps to increase the accuracy and predicting power of EPDs used to describe Gelbvieh and balancer cattle.
The Cow Power Project offers members the opportunity to receive a research price of $20 for a genomic test on females in order to DNA test at least 90% of their current active cow inventory.
Participants who submit both mature weights and body condition scores electronically on at least 90% of the current active cow inventory will receive a one-time $4 rebate per head.
Project Requirements:
- A minimum of 90% of the member’s active female inventory is to be genotyped in order to receive the research price for DNA testing females. Replacement females may be tested using the research price, however they are not included in the count toward 90%.
- Only females that are in the member’s current herd inventory and have an AGA registration number qualify for this project, not including foundation cows (AMXX females). Number of females will be determined based on the number of females on inventory for that calendar year per AGA membership account, associated herds will not be included. Herd assessments must be completed for that year.
- DNA samples must be collected with an Allflex Tissue Sampling Unit. Blood and hair samples are not eligible for this project. Order with over 50 head being submitted will need to be submitted in a blue well tray available for purchase through the AGA.
- The member agrees to provide payment, in full, for DNA testing no more than 30 days after samples are submitted to AGA and prior to samples being sent to the lab.
- Members can submit mature weights, body condition scores, and mature height (optional) electronically on at least 90% of their cow herd for a one-time $4 per head rebate. Weights and body condition scores must be taken at the time of weaning.
Member interested in participating in this project may down the enrollment form below and submit to the AGA office at registry@gelbvieh.org or mail to 1001 S 70th Street, Suite 215, Lincoln, NE 68510. Please contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333 with any questions.
Contact Meg Vanderbur at the AGA office to enroll. meganv@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.
Discounted genotype tests and rebates will be offered on a first come, first served basis as long as the allocated funds are available. Rebates are only available to those members enrolled in the project who collect and submit the required data. Genotype pricing and rebates are only available during the duration of the project.
This is a research collaboration and therefore, DNA turnaround, data processing, and other timelines associated with the project are not based on current AGA timelines. These timelines are subject to change due to the seasonality of submission, normal data processing, etc.
*Members participating in the Cow Power Female Genotyping Project are not eligible for the DNA testing incentive program.