DNA ID/Parentage Services

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About ADGA’s DNA Typing Services Print E-mail
DNA Typing is an opportunity specific genetic information available on individual animals at a cost benefit arranged for ADGA members. Here are some of the benefits as well as how to apply for ADGA’s DNA Services.
Benefits of DNA typing:The DNA typing service is a permanent record of identification of individual animals. Breed improvement and selection programs require accurate pedigree information and can potentially be used for for avoiding extreme inbreeding and increasing production profit.

  • Registry integrity can be maintained through the random sampling program as a benefit to members as the registry incurs costs.
  • If you have a doe or buck you are breeding replacements from, a buck that you hope will become a sire of daughters in other herds, an elite sire, or one that may become “famous”, a DNA profile could be invaluable for identifying later progeny.
  • It is also useful to have a a DNA type on file for all natural mating sires that you are using with first fresheners and can be particularly useful if the bucks are going off-farm at the end of the breeding season, as you may not have another chance to get a sample for testing such bucks.
  • DNA typing can provide parentage verification for sales, or breeding/kidding situations that may not result in an assured sire or dam.
  • DNA typing can increase an animals worth as well as the value of the herd and extends assurance in business transactions.
  • DNA typing on file could potentially be used to trace stolen animals or could be used for future genetic testing for valuable economic traits or different animal disorders.

Random Sample Program:

Every 40th buck registered at ADGA is selected  for voluntary DNA testing.  The program is administered January through August.  A full trio (offspring and both parents) is not  required.  You can test just the buck, or the buck and one or both parents.  Take advantage of this offer – it’s easy (just hair with roots is needed), fast and best of all is free to the ADGA member.

To Apply for DNA ID/Parentage  typing:

1 Owners wishing to DNA type animals for any of the above reasons will provide the ADGA office with a list of registration names and numbers of the animals to be tested along with the reason for testing. In the case of parentage verification, the breed, date of birth, sex and tattoos with location for the offspring need to be provided.  Click to go to order form.

2 The fee of $30.00 ($27 if ADGAPlus if in addition to the first 3 animals at $20)  per animal to be DNA typed must be submitted with the list. For those participating in the random sampling program, ADGA will incur the cost. ADGA will send three copies of the DNA Record of Identification form to the owner along with necessary instructions and/or kit for sending samples.

3 The owner of the animal(s) shall arrange for the samples to be obtained from each animal. Each animal shall be identified by unique tattoo and the identity confirmed by comparison with the registration/ recordation certificate.

Sampling Options:

Information on providing the sample can be found at VGL.
Owners will be notified by the ADGA office regarding the results of the DNA typing tests. All information concerning the DNA types of specific individuals is confidential and remains the property of ADGA.