Donor Dam Qualifications
Embryo transfer (ET) has been around the beef industry for several years and has become an important tool to help increase genetic improvement. Females used in ET programs are often selected for their superior genetics and performance. Because these elite females have the opportunity to more heavily influence the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) herdbook, certain requirements must be met prior to registering any ET calves. 

Follow along as we answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding donor dams:
How do I know if a dam is qualified as a donor female? 

Whether you’re searching your own herd, or prospective new females in an upcoming sale, identifying whether a female has a donor permit on file is very simple. 

1. Log in to your account within the Online Registry System 

2. Enter the animal’s registration number in the Work Menu found in the top left hand corner 

3. Select the Green arrow beside “Animal” 

4. If the animal in question has “Verified Donor Dam” in the center of her screen above her identification details, she is a qualified donor female as seen below:

What are the AGA’s requirements for a donor dam? 

AGA registered donor dams used in an ET program after March 1, 2013, must meet the following conditions before any ET offspring can be registered as stated in Rule II.C.2 of AGA Rules: 

a. Compliance with Genomic Option #1 - GGP-HD panel on file with AGA 

b. DNA parent verified to sire and dam 

c. Tested for all monitored genetic conditions 

External Donor Dams: 

Females not registered with the AGA, but registered with another breed association and used in an ET program after March 1, 2013, must also meet the requirements of Rule II.C.2. 

If a female does not meet the donor DNA requirements: 

Any donor dam that is unable to meet these requirements, must be a granted a waiver by the AGA Executive Committee in order to register calves. To request a waiver, members must complete a genomic/DNA testing waiver form obtained by contacting the AGA office. The AGA Executive Committee may grant or deny the waiver request in its discretion and impose whatever conditions it deems necessary on any granted waiver to ensure the integrity of the AGA’s records. There are no guarantees this waiver will be granted. The form must be submitted with a non-refundable payment of $100.
When should I submit DNA on my donor female? 

The AGA encourages all members to collect DNA on prospective donor females, along with their dam or sire (if not already on file) and submit those for DNA testing through the AGA Online Registry Service before the female enters an ET program. Doing so provides added confidence for potential customers that the embryos they are purchasing, or you utilize yourself, can be registered without any unexpected issues. 

Tip: DNA submitted on an animal through the AGA registry can be ran for further testing at a later date. If at any point you speculate that an animal may have the potential to serve as a donor female or AI sire, we encourage you to consider submitting a sample for something as simple as a $15 parentage markers test. Doing so places DNA on file for that animal so if they, or their offspring, meet your expectations to serve as a donor dam or AI sire, you have the DNA on file to verify with or run for further testing down the road.
How to do I keep track of my Embryos within the AGA registry? 

Within the AGA Online Registry Service, members have the ability to record embryos, either collected or purchased, within their account. This also serves as a useful resource when checking if an animal has met the donor requirements: 

  1. Log into your account within the AGA Online Registry Service 
  2. On the left, locate the red arrow beside “Herd Mgmt” 
  • a) Select the red arrow beside “Breeding” 
  • b) Select the green arrow beside “Embryo Inv” 

On the next screen, you will find any embryos that either you have entered yourself, or that another AGA member has transferred to you. If the female has met the necessary requirements, it will show “Donor Permit on file;” in green. If the female has not yet met the qualifications, “Donor has not met the requirements” will appear in red.
Adding Embryos to the Embryo Inventory 

1. Follow steps 1-2b. in the section above. 
2. Select “Add new Embryo” at the top center of your screen. 
3. You will be prompted to enter the following data as a requirement for all embryos on file: 
  • Sire Registration Number 
  • Dam Registration Number 
  • Flush Date 
4. You will later be prompted for the quantity of embryos being saved within your inventory. A transfer date will be a requirement within the birth recording queue when registration of an ET calf takes place.
Questions? 

For more information or questions about qualifying a female as a donor dam through the AGA, please contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or email [email protected].

American Gelbvieh Association | 303-465-2333 | [email protected]