An In-Depth Discussion on
How to Register Cattle with
the ADCA
6-24-2015
Herd Prefix

 New members must request a herd prefix (10 spaces)
from the registrar, who will register it in the registry if it
is unique.
 The Herd Prefix for the breeder of the calf must be the
first word or letters of the calf’s name. There is a total of
25 character spaces for a name. This includes spaces and
odd characters.
 Once a breeder has used a Herd Prefix, that must be the
one used consistently in the future. It is important for
each calf to have the correct breeder and correct herd
prefix.
Herd Prefix - Example

Incorrect Usage of a Herd Prefix:
 Sally'sHighRiserBetty
Correct Usage of a Herd Prefix:
 Sally's High Riser Bo
Breeder’s Prefix Must Be
Used

 Only a calf that you have bred can hold your farm
prefix. This is determined by who the owner of the
dam was at the time she was bred. So if you have
purchased a bred-back cow, you cannot use your
herd prefix on the calf. The calf must be named
starting with the prefix of the breeder (owner of the
dam at inception)
Herd Prefix Recap

Remember:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Request a herd prefix from the registrar
Limit prefix to 10 spaces
Keep entire animal name at 25 character spaces
Always use the same prefix for animals you’ve bred
You must use the breeder’s prefix at the beginning
of the calf’s name even if the calf was born on your
farm but you were not the breeder
Sire & Dam

 The sire and dam of the calf to be registered must be
registered Dexters.
 Application for registration of an animal without both sire and
dam previously registered in the ADCA registry shall be
submitted with a copy of the registration certificates of the sire
and dam showing ownership and a five-generation (62
ancestor) registered purebred pedigree from a recognized
registry of origin. These animals will be entered into the
registry with limited information. The sire’s genotype for
either a dam or bull must be on file with the ADCA.
Limited Registry Entry for Non-ADCA
Registered Sires and Dams

Sire’s Geno Required for Non-ADCA
Registered Sires and Dams

 To register a calf out of a non-ADCA registered
parent as noted in the previous screen, remember
that the SIRE’S GENOTYPE must be on file with the
ADCA even though the sire or dam is not being
registered ADCA and only their pedigree is being
placed in the ADCA registry. The sire’s genotype
must be on file with the ADCA before allowing the
limited pedigree to be entered.
Herd Sire’s Geno

 First and foremost, the sire of the calf to be
registered must have his genotype on file regardless
if you are registering a bull or heifer calf.
 There is no “grand-fathering” in of older bulls that
were registered prior to 2009. If that bull was used
as a herd sire, you must go back and have him
genotyped.
 Bulls from PDCA must be genotyped.
AI and ET

 A calf that is produced as the result of artificial insemination
(AI) must be noted as such on the registration application form
and must have included with its registration application an AI
Breeding form (either the ADCA provided form, or a
comparable form containing essentially the same information)
signed by the cow’s owner and the person performing the AI
service, indicating the date(s) of AI service of the dam and the
names and ADCA registration numbers of the dam and AI sire.
If the sire and dam do not have ADCA registration numbers the
application for registration shall be submitted with the
information required for registration where the sire and dam
are not previously registered in the ADCA registry.
Embryo Transfer Registrations

 The DNA genotype of a calf resulting from an ET
procedure shall be provided to and on file with the
ADCA and shall qualify parentage by the sire of
record out of the donor dam of 6 record. A calf
resulting from an ET procedure shall not be
registered in the ADCA without complete
parentage qualification by DNA genotyping.
Where to Find the AI Form on the
ADCA Website

Click Forms Tab
Brings You Here
AI Form

So What Does My Calf Need Done
Before Registration?

Permanent Identification

 It is a registration requirement that calves must have
a permanent form of identification. The forms of
identification approved by the ADCA are:
1. Tattoo
2. USDA 840 Tag
Tattoo Guidelines

 The tattoo can be done in either right or left ear
 Most breeders use the following sequence for tattooing:
1.
2.
3.
first, the letter initial of their farm
followed by the number of the calf for the year
tattoo letter for the year
 EXAMPLE: If your farm name is "Cherrydale" Dexter
Farm, and you are tattooing the 5th calf that is born in
Year 2015, then the tattoo for this calf is:
C5C
Annual Tattoo Letters

A-- 1991
B-- 1992
C-- 1993
D-- 1994
E-- 1995
F-- 1996
G-- 1997
H-- 1998
J-- 1999
K—2000
L-- 2001
M-- 2002
N-- 2003
P-- 2004
R-- 2005
S- -2006
T-- 2007
U--2008
W-2009
X--2010
Y--2011
Z--2012
A--2013
B--2014
C-2015
Tattoo Kit
Tattoo kits can be purchased
from local feed supply stores or
online
Your vet can also tattoo for you
Borrow a kit from the extension
office or friend
What is a USDA 840 Tag?

 Using 840 series USDA tags gives you compliance with the
USDA Country of Origin Label (COOL) laws. These tags signify
to buyers that the animals were born in the USA. Unique ID
numbers are stored in and printed on each single use tag. Your
farm premise ID number is assigned to the tag number series
being shipped to you, and the information is held in the NAIS
database. Each tag can be visually verified by looking at the
printed tag ID number or be automatically verified with use of
a reading device.
 Purchasing USDA tags requires a Premise ID which can be
obtained through your state's animal health department.
USDA 840 Tag
These tags can be purchased online
through established supply
companies that record your farm
and numbers with the USDA office
for you.
Purchasing USDA tags requires a
Premise ID which can be obtained
through your state's animal health
department.
You use a regular ear tagging gun
to put these in.
Use the last 6 digits for
registration
Unacceptable I.D.

Required Testing

All animals registered after 2009 must
have their sire’s genotype on file with
the ADCA registery
This applies to bulls & heifers
Bull Calves Born After 2009
Heifer Calves Born After 2016

 Bull calves born after 2009 must be genotyped and
sire qualified.
 Heifer calves born after 2016 must be genotyped.
Testing Requirement for Bull Calves
GENOTYPE WITH SIRE QUALIFICATION

 Purpose: The purpose of this procedure is to help
assure that the proper sire is indicated on a pedigree
when an animal is registered with the ADCA
 All bulls registered by the ADCA after December 31,
2008, shall be genotyped and sire qualified prior to
completion of their registration.
This means the bull calf’s own
genotype needs to be matched to
his sire’s genotype
Forms for Testing

Dextercattle.org
Existing Herd Sires

Existing herd sires (all bulls used for
breeding) shall be genotyped and have
the report on file prior to the
registration of any calves sired by those
bulls born after December 31, 2009
Why Genotype Calves?

 Purpose: The purpose of this procedure is to help
assure that the proper sire is indicated on a pedigree
when an animal is registered with the ADCA.
How to Check if a Sire’s Geno is on File with
the ADCA
Using the Online Pedigree

What to do if Sire is Missing

Many bulls were registered prior to the genotype
requirement, therefore they are older and may be
deceased or have been sold to a sale barn, etc. These
are circumstances we classify as a “Missing” sire. If the
sire cannot be located for genetic testing, there are two
things you can do:
1. Obtain a meat sample (see website for details)
2. Contact the registrar to discuss options with the
Genetics Committee
If the sire’s genotype is not on file with the
ADCA
The calf cannot be registered until the sire’s
geno becomes available
Geno Calf at the Same Lab as Sire

 If possible, you should choose the same lab to
genotype your bull calf, or any calf you want to
genotype at the same lab where the sire and/or dam
have their genotypes on file. This way the lab can
parent verify your calf easily.
 If you choose to genotype at one lab, and the sire’s
genotype is at another lab, you will need to request
the lab testing your calf to then send that report to
the lab housing the sire’s genotype.
Calf Testing at UCD Parent Geno at Texas A & M

 If one of the labs does not have the sire’s genotype
on file here is what to do:
1.
2.
3.
Contact the lab where the calf was tested and ask them to send the
genetic report on your calf to the other lab
If being sent to TAMU, then send a check in the amount of $5.00
payable to the ADCA to TAMU along with your contact information
If going from TAMU to UCD, print and send form:
UCD Geno Form

 YOU MUST CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS TO
PARENT VERIFY
Unique Genotype

 One frequent misconception that gets asked a lot in
the registry office is:
 “My dam has geno on file and my bull has geno on file so
isn’t my calf automatically Sire and Dam Qualified?”
NO:
Each genotype is unique for that animal.
The bull calf must still be genotyped and matched to
his sire’s genotype.
Acceptable Geno Report for Bull Calves born
after 2009 - Texas A & M

Acceptable Geno Report for Bull Calves born
after 2009 - UC Davis

Acceptable Geno Report for Herd Sires
born prior to 2009 – UC Davis

Acceptable Geno Report for Herd Sires born
prior to 2009 – Texas A & M

Acceptable Geno Report for Heifers
UC Davis

Acceptable Geno Report for Heifers
Texas A & M

Unacceptable Geno Report for Bulls Born
after 2009 – Texas A & M

Unacceptable Geno Report for Bulls Born
after 2009 – UC Davis

Sire and Dam Qualify: All Three
Geno Reports at Same Lab

 To truly sire and dam qualify your calf, all three
genotypes must be at the same lab and compared
together at the same time. What this means is, the
lab will take the existing sire’s geno and the dam’s
existing geno, then when the calf’s geno is complete
they will put all three together to make sure they
genetically match. This is a true parent verification.
Registering Steers

 Steers follow the same protocol as registering a
heifer.
 Sire’s genotype must be on file
 Must have a permanent form of ID
 Color test red if not out of 2 red parents unless one
parent is tested showing they are a non-carrier of
dun
 Steers DO NOT need to be genotyped
ADCA Geno Legend

G2 = Genotype on File
G3 = Sire Qualified/Verified
G4 = Dam Qualified/Verified
G5 = Sire and Dam Qualified/Verified
Collecting a Sample for Testing

Dextercattle.org
 Education Tab
 Videos on how to take a hair sample and tattoo
Tests Recorded by the ADCA

 PHA
 Chondro
 Polled
 Color
 The only results that appear on registration
certificates are PHA and Chondro
A2 Beta Casein

 The ADCA does not record the A2 Beta Casein test
because there is no significant medical proof that the
A2 variant is superior to A1.
 If you test your animals milk quality, keep those
records in your personal file for potential buyers if
needed upon their request.
How Test Results Appear Online

When Testing is Not on File with the ADCA

Obligates

 Obligate non-carrier status is when both the sire and
dam have been tested for PHA and/or Chondro and
those results are on file with the ADCA.
 Both parents must have the same result.
Example of Non Obligate

Example of Obligate

White Markings

 If your calf has white markings, please note those
markings in the COMMENTS section of the
registration application. White markings do happen,
therefore we record them on the calf’s file within the
ADCA registry system.
Check Your Pedigrees

 Please check your sire’s and dam’s pedigrees online
before sending in registration applications.
 We receive many applications stating the calf is a
non-carrier, yet one or both parents tests are not
recorded.
 It saves a lot of time to check your sire and dam prior
to sending in a calf registration. You MUST check
from the Online Pedigree/ADCA website
Send In All Test Results

 The ADCA does NOT receive lab results
automatically. If you want these results recorded on
your pedigrees you must send them to us.
 You can forward them via email or send a copy in
the mail. We do not need the originals.
Genotype is Received

 The ADCA does receive a weekly report from both
Texas A & M and UCDavis showing genotype status.
This is a spreadsheet only and does not provide the
ADCA with any information other than if the calf
has been genotyped and is sire qualified or is sire
and dam qualified. Please indicate your Accession
number (TAMU) or Case number (UCD) on your
registration applications to help us locate your
animal on our spreadsheets.
RED

 In order to register a Dexter as RED, it must be tested
(DNA verified) as red unless it is the offspring of a
registered red sire AND a registered red dam or at
least one parent has been tested as a non-carrier of
dun.
 If a non- black Dexter is not tested for red, they
will be recorded as Dun. If they are red tested after
registration the color designation can be changed
by submitting appropriate documentation to the
Registrar.
Accession/Case Number Lab’s Filing

Texas A & M
Accession Number
UCDavis
Case Number
Returned Applications

#1
 The
reason applications are returned is because
a bull calf was not sire qualified
 The second reason applications are returned is using
old application forms showing incorrect fees, and
paying the incorrect amounts
 Membership is not current
Troubleshoot PayPal

 Paypal does not always empty your shopping cart
after you have made a transaction. Let’s say you
purchase 2 registrations and a transfer one day. You
check out and make your payment, close out of
Paypal. A week down the line you decide to transfer
an animal. When you go to make another payment,
if your shopping cart was not emptied from the
previous transaction, Paypal will add those old fees
onto the new transaction. ALWAYS EMPTY YOUR
PAYPAL SHOPPING CART FIRST.
Registrations by Mail
All mail sent to the ADCA goes to the Springfield, Missouri office
first. Once a week the mail is sent to Texas for processing.
Transfers

 Please consider processing transfers on cattle that
you sell. It completes the overall transaction in a
timely manner and helps to keep track of the
whereabouts of animals.
Many buyers never
complete transfers after they have purchased an
animal. Sellers get frustrated and ask the registrar to
remove these animals from their herd and that
cannot be done unless a transfer has taken place.
 Include the transfer fee in the selling price.