One of the biggest milestones we’ve celebrated this year is surpassing two million genotypes collected and submitted to Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI). No other breed has been able to do that. It is a credit to your commitment to embrace tools that drive genetic progress, improve herd accuracy, strengthen parentage verification, and protect the integrity of Association programs and the Angus breed. It’s a clear signal that the breed is not just keeping pace with innovation — it’s leading it.

While not directly tied to this milestone, the robust nature of information we have on hand provided an opportunity for the American Angus Association Board of Directors to review and approve updates to Rule 104 (d)(2)-Calves produced by Embryo Transfer during the June board meeting.

The original rule, passed in 2023, required all donor dams born on or after Jan. 1, 2023, to have DNA markers on file and be tested for the full genetic condition bundle. The rule was put in place to ensure we can maintain breed purity through parent verification and are aware of any potential genetic defects that a high-influence dam may carry prior to breeding. Given the growth in adoption of DNA testing since 2023, we are now often able to verify potential genetic defect markers. 

As a result, the Board approved the following updates to Rule 104 (d)(2) for dams born on or after Jan. 1, 2023:

•  The full suite of genetic testing will be required on donor dams that are not parent qualified.  

• Donor dams who are parent qualified and listed as a potential carrier for genetic conditions will be required to be tested for those genetic conditions. 
  

• Donor dams who are parent qualified and free of potential genetic conditions, as confirmed by their pedigree, will not need a genetic conditions test. 

No changes were made to the requirements that all donor dams must be DNA-marker-typed or must have been blood-typed prior to Jan. 1, 2001.

The new rule’s language reads:

2. The Embryo Transfer Donor Dam must be DNA-marker-typed or must have been blood-typed before January 1, 2001. All donor dams, born on or after January 1, 2023, used for purpose of Embryo Transfer that are (1) not parent qualified must be tested for the full suite of known commercially available genetic conditions or (2) parent qualified and are listed as a potential carrier for genetic conditions must be tested for those specific genetic conditions monitored by the American Angus Association. (As amended June 8, 2023, and June 10, 2026)

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.

This rule can be found on page 35 of the Breeder’s Reference Guide.

Today, 52% of registrations received are parent qualified and identified on the registration certificate in two ways. If an animal is matched to both parents, “Parent Qualified” is displayed. Since 2017 the asterisk symbol (*) has also noted this. 

An animal’s genetic condition status is abbreviated on the registration certificate under the registration number using assigned codes for each genetic condition. These are populated from historic pedigree testing when available. A complete list of the codes can be found on page 190 in “Association Highlights.” 

The rule change allows you to continue with the registration of ET calves and not have the added expense of testing an animal when historic testing can provide the required information. It is because you, as members, keep advancing the breed through the use of ET, artificial insemination and other available tools that the breed remains the industry choice for commercial cattlemen.  

Editor’s note: For more information or questions regarding these services or others, contact the Member Services Department at 816-383-5100.