DNA Testing
With the busy DNA testing season in full swing, below are some frequently asked questions and reminders to help set members up for success this season.
How do I start a DNA request on the AGA Online Registry Service?

  1. Log into your AGA Online Registry Services account
  2. Find and select “Herd Mgmt” on the left-hand side of the screen and then select “DNA” from the drop-down menu.
  3. Once the DNA screen appears, click the “DNA Order Request” tab.
  4. When asked “How many animals do you need genotyped?” enter the number of samples you intend on submitting and click “Continue”.
Tips to submitting a proper DNA order request:

Utilize the dropdown menu provided under the “Reason” column.
  • The dropdown will have options for AI sire, donor dam, herd sire and more. When one of these reason codes is chosen the tests needed to meet those requirements will automatically be selected.
  • For single test requests (coat color, horned/polled, parentage, etc.) select “Member Request” if that is not already the default.

Type in the full barcode found on the back of the hair or blood card. TSU barcodes can be found on the vile themselves or beside each vile in the box they arrive in.
  •  All Allflex TSU vials have zeros (0) in the barcode not the letter "O". Be sure to type your barcodes with a "0" and not the letter "O" in the beginning sequence of NE0.

Registration number should be complete including capital letters. There should be no spaces between the letters and numbers.
  •  Incorrect: 1234567
  •  Incorrect: AMGV 1234567
  •  Incorrect: amgv1234567
  •  Correct: AMGV1234567
How do I know which tests to order?

The American Gelbvieh Association offers multiple options for its members in the way of DNA testing. A complete list of DNA testing options can be found on the DNA Testing webpage at Gelbvieh.org under the Genetic Technology tab.

Below are the DNA testing requirements for AI sires, donor dams, and walking sires. We’ve also included requirements for bull futurity entries and national sale consignments:

  • AI sires must have a genomic option 1 (GGP-HD) DNA profile, be qualified to both parents and tested for all four monitored genetic conditions. Once testing is complete, the bull will also need an AI sire permit applied. The fee for AI permits is $50.
  • Donor dams must have a genomic option 1 (GGP-HD) DNA profile, be qualified to both parents and tested for all four monitored genetic conditions. Once testing is complete, the female will also need a donor dam permit applied. There is no fee for donor dam permits.
  • Natural service walking sires must have a genomic option 2 (GGP-LD) DNA profile in order to register calves.
  • Bull futurity entries must have the genomic option 1 (GGP-HD) DNA profile, be qualified to both parents and tested for all four monitored genetic conditions.
  • National sale animals must have at least the genomic option 2 (GGP-LD) DNA profile, be qualified to both parents and tested for all four monitored genetic conditions.

Where do I send my samples and what is the best way to ship them?

After the DNA tests are ordered through the AGA Online Registry Service, samples and completed DNA testing form should be sent directly to Neogen Laboratories. The address for the lab can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the DNA testing form.

To avoid samples getting lost or damaged during shipment, members are highly encouraged to send samples in a padded envelope or box. This is especially important for TSU samples as they can easily break through a standard #10 envelope and end up getting lost in the mailing process.

It is recommended to mail samples in a way where you are supplied with a tracking number, preferably UPS or FedEx. It is worth the $8-$20 to have peace of mind, especially since you have already invested time, energy and expense into collecting the samples. Typical mailing time can vary from 1-10 days depending on shipping method.
How long does it take to get my results?
 
DNA testing turnaround time is 4-6 weeks once the samples and completed DNA testing form have arrived at the lab.
 
According to Leoma Wells, Strategic Accounts Manager at Neogen Genomics, the timeline below is a rough estimate of how long each step in the process can take.
*All estimations are in days, excludes holidays and weekends.
 
Proper planning provides time to re-submit a sample if the initial submission ends in a sample failure. Please note, there is not a way to expedite DNA testing or genomic-enhanced EPDs being produced from the evaluation.

To read more from Leoma about setting expectations and timelines, be sure to read her article in the October issue of Gelbvieh World.

How will I receive my results?

Once DNA testing results for parentage or trait tests have been uploaded to the AGA Online Registry Service, members will receive an email letting them know the results are ready for viewing. These emails also contain results and will notify members of any exclusions if parentage testing was ran. If you receive an email that contains a parentage exclusion result, please contact Meg Vanderbur, AGA data services coordinator, at 303-465-2333 or email [email protected], with alternative sires or dams as quickly as possible to get those parentage issues resolved.

Once genomic data has ran through the genetic evaluation, EPDs for the tested animal will be highlighted yellow indicating they are now genomic-enhanced.
Have questions or need more information?

The AGA office is here to help! Please contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333
American Gelbvieh Association | 303-465-2333 | [email protected]