DNA Testing
Available Tests
There are three types of DNA tests: parentage tests, genetic defect tests and genetic condition tests.
Parentage Tests
100K
300K
Genetic Conditions
Horned Polled (Homopolled Test)
Coat Colour (Homoblack Test)
Genetic Defects
Protorphyria (Proto)
Myostatin (Myo)
Leptin
Both the 30K and 100K parentage tests gives us the ability to confirm an animal to its parents. It also provides a genomically enhanced EPD. Genetic defect/condition tests can only be discounted with a 100K parentage test. Please see the fee schedule for pricing.
DNA Testing Process
Please follow the below process for requesting DNA testing and sending your samples to the lab.
Every effort is made to ensure DNA test results are returned within 21 calendar days from the time the hair arrives at the lab.
1
Please contact the CLA office to request DNA testing.
Animals must be recorded in the CLA registry system Digital Beef before DNA requests can be completed. The CLA staff will need to know the tattoo number(s) of the animal(s) you are requesting DNA testing on. Please indicate whether you require sire verification only or parentage verification and any additional testing (protoporphyria, horned/polled, coat colour) you would like done.
You can e-mail limousin@limousin.com or call 403-253-7309 to make your DNA requests to the CLA. You can also request DNA yourself in Digital Beef Link to DNA requesting Tutorial
Please let the CLA staff know if you require hair collector cards OR TSU tubes at the time of submitting your DNA requests.
2
The CLA staff will generate a DNA application for genotyping for you and e-mail this to you. You will need to submit this along with the physical samples to the lab. Do not send samples to the lab without this form as it will cause significant delays in processing.
3
If you have not done so already, you will need to collect the DNA sample from the animal.
It is good practice to collect DNA from all potential sires and your cow herd at the beginning of the breeding season.
There are multiple types of samples you can submit containing DNA. These include:
- Hair 30 - 50 follicles from the switch of a cow's, submitted in a "Hair Card"
- Blood Blood dripped and submitted into a "Blood Card"
- Tissue Punched from a cow's ear and submitted on a "Tissue Sampling Unit" (TSU)
- Semen A straw of semen placed in a secure package to avoid breakages in shipping
4
Place the application for genotyping (sent to you by the CLA) along with the identified DNA sample envelope(s) in a larger envelope and send to Neogen Canada by regular Canada Post mail services:
Neogen Canada
7323 Roper Road NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 0W4
5
Results will be automatically uploaded into the CLA Digital Beef registry system when they are available. If you are an online user you can view DNA results under the "DNA" tab on each individual animal's profile on Digital Beef. You will also receive an automatic email with the results of the tests ordered. If you are not an online user the CLA will contact you with the results.
CLA DNA Requirements
|
NATURAL SERVICE SIRES Born before January 1, 2021 |
SIRE VERIFIED | 30K or 100K |
|
NATURAL SERVICE SIRES Born on or after January 1, 2021 |
PARENT VERIFIED | 30K or 100K |
| AI SIRES | PARENT VERIFIED & PROTO FREE |
30K or 100K Proto Test or Free by Pedigree |
|
DONOR FEMALES Flush date before January 1, 2021 |
SIRE VERIFIED & PROTO FREE |
30K or 100K Proto Test or Free by Pedigree |
|
DONOR FEMALES Flush date on or after January 1, 2021 |
PARENT VERIFIED & PROTO FREE |
30K or 100K Proto Test or Free by Pedigree |
| ET CALVES | PARENT VERIFIED | 30K or 100K |
| FULLBLOOD ANIMALS | PARENT VERIFIED | 30K or 100K |
| ALL REGISTRATIONS OVER 24 MONTHS OF AGE | PARENT VERIFIED | 30K or 100K |
NOTE: AI Sire DNA requirements still apply to semen drawn for in-herd use only