MEMBER AND INDUSTRY
NEWS BRIEFS
Notice to Membership
During the fourth quarter of 2019, NALF, along with other breed
associations, were informed the Neogen/GeneSeek lab in Nebraska
had reached its capacity for DNA sample storage. As a result of this,
the lab has informed breed associations they would be returning blood
and hair card samples back to the associations for storage at their own
locations unless customers were willing to pay a storage fee cost.
As a result, NALF has been receiving dry samples (blood and hair
cards) back from the lab so they can be scanned and logged into
storage in the event customers require sample pulls for further testing
on cattle if the customer requests it. NALF is doing this to avoid
customers paying a fee of $1.00 per sample per year if the lab were to
continue storing dry samples.
Beginning January 2020, tissue samples will be kept at no cost
initially at GeneSeek/Neogen from time of submission for a period of
one year. After that time frame, the sample will be discarded by Neogen
unless the customer notifies NALF to have the lab store the sample at a
cost of $1.00 per year per sample which the member can choose to pay
for if they request tissue sample storage in the GeneSeek’s freezer units.
It is a good idea for a member to have a backup sample on file in
case of loss, sample depletion or degradation particularly on high use
cattle, A.I. sires or donor dams via a blood or hair card and kept at
their home or ranch. NALF can’t store backup samples for members
in the system as they have no order number or barcode established to
record in the storage system for retrieval as compared to samples that
originated with a DNA testing order.
It is also important to realize for each member that cattle that are
tested on a 50K or 150K profiler, most of the genotype and tests are
available on the stored genotype. The only test that requires a new
DNA sample unless ordered in the original test are the CA and AM
defects along with the BVD test. They all require a sample and are
not in the genotype unless ordered upon the original request. All the
homozygous traits, parentage and other defects can be simply looked
up when ordered by staff for members once cattle are on a profiler.
We know this is not feasible for all members as many test parentage
and then come back with further testing for profilers, etc. so that is why
the lab has agreed to store tissues for one year. Members should keep
in mind that when they order the profiler initially, the parentage is free
and they get cheaper bundle pricing on color and polled test versus
standalone testing for parentage, color and polled and getting a sample
pull charge as well on cattle that require a profiler at a later date.
The 50K profiler is sold for $55 which includes free parentage.
When ordering the profiler, the member can get the bundle pricing
on color and polled for $35 at a total cost of $90. The animals EPDs
are then genomically enhanced as well.
By comparison, stand alone parentage cost $31, stand alone polled cost
$34, stand alone color at $20 bringing the total cost to $85 on the animal
and there are no genomics included for increased EPD accuracy. If the
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animal is then tested on the profiler at a later date for an additional cost
of the 50K or 150K, the original cost is charged for profiler in addition
to a sample pull retrieval cost if a new DNA sample is not used. In other
words, it is a good idea for a member to try to order testing via the profiler
and the accompanying bundle discounts associated with the profiler test
on cattle that will be high use cattle in advance if possible.
Members with questions about DNA storage and testing should
contact the NALF office at any time.
A.I. Sire and Donor Dam Information Reminder
All A.I. sires and donor dams born in 2015 or later are required to have
a GGP-HD genomic profile on file in addition to parent verification for
sires and sire verification for donor dams. Animals born before 2015
do not require the genomic profile but do require either parent or sire
verification through SNP DNA typing. They must also be tested for
any genetic condition (AM, NH, Proto, etc.) they are a potential carrier
for. A.I. sire permits are recommended on any new A.I. sire and can be
added by contacting either Alison at [email protected] or Tammy at
[email protected] or at 303-220-1693.
NALF Attends NCBA
The
2020
Cattle
Industry
Convention
and NCBA Trade Show
was February 5-7 in San
Antonio, Texas. This year’s
convention and trade
show was attended by
more than 9,000 members
from across the United States over the three-day meetings and events.
The North American Limousin Foundation was in attendance at
the National Cattlemen’s Meeting and Convention in San Antonio,
Texas, promoting and discussing Limousin genetics with commercial
cattlemen. NALF representatives including Executive Director, Mark
Anderson; Director of Public Relations & Media, Mallory Blunier;
and Director of Activities Katie Campbell. Also in attendance with
NALF staff was NALJA President, Lindsey Gulotta and NALJA
Ex Officio, Randa Taylor, who assisted staff manning the booth
throughout the trade show and visiting with attendees.
As a member of International Genetic Solutions, NALF was
represented through the IGS booth display along with the American
Simmental Association.
Ultrasound Data and Yearling Weights
Members should be aware that yearling weights taken at the time
of carcass ultrasound data collection are not automatically loaded into
DigitalBeef. If a breeder wants the ultrasound weights to be used for
yearling data, notify Stephanie at [email protected].
• APRIL 2020