DNA Testing

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA), through its partnership with Geneseek®, 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 commercial DNA testing please visit the commercial DNA testing page.

Sample Types

GeneSeek accepts both blood samples and hair samples. Blood samples are $.50 each and hair cards are $4.00/each. Blood and hair sample cards can be obtained by contacting the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or emailing registry@gelbvieh.org.

GeneSeek 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 $21.00 plus shipping and the applicator is $45.00 plus shipping.

Blood Sample Instructions

Hair Sample Instructions 

Tissue Sample Instructions 

DNA Testing Options

Genomic Option 1 (GGPHD) – $85.00:
This is a high-density panel that includes parentage markers. Parent verification can also be completed if parents are on file with parentage markers with the AGA. This test is for highly used for sires and dams in the population and is required for AI sires and donor dams.

Genomic Option 2 (GGPLD) – $46.00:
This low-density panel includes markers and parent verification if parents are on file with parentage markers with the 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.

Genomic Option 3 (GGP-uLD) – $29.00:
This ultra low-density panel includes markers and parent verification if parent are on file with parentage markers with the AGA. This panel is generally used for registered sale animals and replacement heifers. This test does not include add-on options, all trait tests can be run as stand-alone. **Available exclusively through tissue samples.**

All animals tested using Genomic Option 1, 2, or 3 will receive Genomic-Enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs).

The following tests may be ordered as a stand-alone test or added on to Genomic Options 1 or 2.

Coat Color (CC) – $14.00 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) – $38.00 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.

Stand Alone Parentage (included in Genomic Options 1 and 2 and GGP-GV Heifer Profile) – $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.

Genetic Conditions Testing

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.

Commercial DNA Testing

Igenity Gelbvieh – $29.00:
Intended for commercial Gelbvieh influenced females and measures calving ease direct, feed efficiency RFI, marbling, mature weight, post-weaning gain, stayability, and tenderness against the entire Gelbvieh populations with molecular breeding values (MBV). Igenity tenderness is based on calpain and calpastin markers.

AI Sires and Donor Dam Requirements:

Genomic Option 1 (GGPHD) – $85.00
All Conditions Panel – $25.00 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.

Herd Sire Requirements:

Genomic Option 2 (GGP-LD) – $46