Fall sale season is fast approaching, and it is always a great time of year to review different segments of the Breeder’s Reference Guide and the Suggested Sale Terms and Conditions. This long-standing document was created by the American Angus Association as a service to our members as well as those who purchase Angus genetics.

The terms of the Suggested Sale Terms and Conditions are the terms of sale set forth by the seller. This is a document created by the Association as a service to the membership and for voluntary use. 

It is an agreement between the buyer and seller only; therefore, the Association has no enforcement responsibilities outside those set forth in the rules of the Association. It is very important to remember these are suggested terms and conditions, and the American Angus Association is not responsible for the enforcement of them. This document is designed for the buyers and sellers of Angus genetics to resolve any issues or disputes amongst the parties involved.

I have written in previous articles the details and how the SSTC document is divided into sections and how it can be used for your operation as you see fit.

I wanted to draw your attention to recent changes made by the Board of Directors in June of 2025.

The recent changes are in reference to clarifying the definition of donor females and how they apply to the breeding guarantees of donor females.

Please note the additions in bold.

8. Donor females:

a. Any open heifer that has been used in an embryo transfer program (conventional, super ovulation, IVF) must be disclosed prior to or at Date of Sale.

b. Unless otherwise agreed by the buyer and the seller, a female that has been used in an embryo transfer program (conventional, super ovulation, IVF) is not guaranteed to be a breeder after the date of the sale. 

c. Unless otherwise agreed by the buyer and the seller, a female is not guaranteed to be a breeder after the date of the sale, when that female is to be used, or attempted to be used, in an embryo transfer program (conventional, super ovulation, IVF).

The above additions should clarify what is considered a donor female and provide both the buyer and seller more confidence in their transactions on sale day.

Since we are talking about donor females, I wanted to focus your attention to changes made in the Breeder’s Reference Guide in 2023 and 2024 regarding requirements for donor dams. I have mentioned this in past articles, but it is always good to review. June 8, 2023, the Board of Directors approved changes to rule 104 d.2. 

 d. Calves produced by embryo transplant. For calves resulting from an embryo transplant:

2. The Embryo Transfer Donor Dam must be DNA-marker-typed or must have been blood-typed before January 1, 2001. The full suite of known commercially available tests for the genetic conditions monitored by the American Angus Association will be required for all donor dams, born on or after January 1, 2023, used for the purpose of Embryo Transfer. (As amended June 8, 2023.) Additional language was added on June 4, 2024 to read: In the event DNA is unavailable from the donor dam for genetic condition testing, the full suite of known commercially available tests for the genetic conditions monitored by the American Angus Association will be required for all offspring applying for registration.

These documents do change from time to time, so regularly check to make sure you are publicizing the document in its most current form at www.angus.org.