Simplifying Calf Registration: Registrations and DNA Status at a Glance

Chris Stallo • December 1, 2024

Simplifying Calf Registration: Registrations and DNA Status at a Glance

Angus Calf
The American Angus Association has recently introduced some exciting new features to the AAA Login system, aimed at simplifying and enhancing the registration process for members. 

With a variety of options available through Submit Data > Registrations > EZ Registration, members can tailor their approach when submitting calf registrations, whether they prefer to use a blank entry form, select by birth date ranges, or pull from predefined sets or pastures in their herd. 

I usually use the method of entering a birth date range for the calves and then work directly from that generated list. The list conveniently displays key details for each calf, such as tag number, tattoo, birth date, sex, dam information, and sire information, allowing members to verify and register each calf without needing to cross-reference multiple sources. This organized approach provides users with a clear snapshot of essential data, making it easier to stay accurate and efficient when inputting registration information.

The list view in EZ Registrations comes with helpful icons to assist with each step of the registration process. The pencil and paper icon, positioned on the left, is used to directly enter or update registration details, while the arrow icon opens up a rRgistration/Transfer form for individual animals. 

Like other grids within the AAA Login area, users can customize their view by sorting the list according to the column headers, such as birth date or dam information. 

As with other grids, users can navigate through the list and click the registration icon on the left side to initiate the registration process for any selected animal. Additionally, a convenient search feature allows users to enter a calf tag at the top of the grid. By using the 'Register Calf by Tag' or 'Register and Transfer Calf by Tag' buttons, members can quickly locate and open the registration entry screen for that specific animal. This screen will automatically populate with the calf's information, just as if the user had manually scrolled to the calf in the list and selected the registration icon. This feature saves time, especially for larger herds, by allowing users to jump directly to the animal they need without extensive scrolling.

A valuable enhancement to the detailed list within the system is the addition of a DNA status column on the right side of the grid. This feature allows users to easily track the DNA testing progress for each calf, displaying key information at a glance. For calves with submitted DNA tests, the status will indicate whether results are still pending or whether the animal has been qualified based on parentage. Specifically, users can see if the sire and dam have both qualified, and if the mating itself has been confirmed. This real-time DNA status display helps users monitor parentage verification as soon as results are available.

In cases where DNA tests identify exclusions, this status column becomes even more helpful. If a calf’s DNA results show that either the sire or dam did not qualify, a Parent Excluded message will be displayed, and the registration icon for that calf will be disabled, preventing users from inadvertently registering animals that do not meet parentage standards. 

Additionally, if a sire or dam’s DNA is missing, a note will appear stating, "Parent missing. Contact the office to correct." This notification system provides a clear, proactive way to address registration issues related to DNA, ensuring that each registration meets the association's requirements. If this is the case, you should check and see if you have already submitted alternate parents for that DNA Case.  

If there is no information displayed for a particular animal in the Parentage section, this signals that DNA has not yet been submitted for that animal. This feature allows users to easily identify which calves may still need DNA testing for parentage verification. 

If the message ‘No SNP DNA on file to compare’ appears, it means the calf itself has DNA results on file, but there is no corresponding DNA for one or both of the listed parents. This does not prevent you from registering the calf in question.  
By consolidating DNA results and parentage information directly within the calf registration grid, this enhancement streamlines the registration process and reduces the need for back-and-forth checks. Users now have all essential registration and DNA data in one place, improving the accuracy of registrations and helping ranchers more easily manage their herd data. 

Registration List
DNA Status

Custom Animal Reports: A Deeper Look at Parentage Status


Many ranchers aim to get DNA on all breeding-age females as part of a strategic approach to accurate calf parentage verification. While this is a worthwhile goal, implementing it can take time due to the associated costs. Nonetheless, having DNA on hand for the majority of breeding females can greatly simplify identifying and verifying calf parentage over time.


When DNA results return and reveal that a calf doesn’t match the expected dam, it can be a challenge to untangle the situation. Calf swaps are more common than one might assume, and mismatches in parentage often highlight instances where calves may have been mixed up. In these cases, a good first step is to check the calving records to see if any other dams calved on the same day and if any of those calves were excluded as well. Testing the calf against these other possible dams can sometimes lead to a quick resolution if a switch is confirmed.


If one of the other potential dams didn’t have DNA submitted, it’s worth running an exclusion check to see if this dam might be a match for the calf in question. Sometimes, calves born on the same day are inadvertently swapped, and trying all potential matches can help clear up any confusion. This method of process-of-elimination based on DNA results, calving records, and exclusion testing can be an effective approach to ensure accurate registrations.


The American Angus Association recently updated the Custom Animal Report section in AAA Login, located at Reports > Interactive > Create Custom Report. These changes are designed to give users more control and flexibility when investigating DNA-related questions. Within the DNA Info section at the bottom of the report interface, new checkboxes allow users to select specific parentage details, including Sire Parentage, Dam Parentage, and Sire/Dam Mating Parentage. These options make it easier to view and analyze parentage qualifications and exclusions.

Reg/Entry Screen

When trying to resolve a parentage question, a helpful strategy is to run a report with a targeted birth date range, typically set to include a few days before and after the calf's birth. Including dam, sire, and overall parentage information in the report ensures that all relevant data will be displayed. After generating the report, sorting the results by the birth date column brings related calves into clear view, allowing for quick identification of the animal with an excluded parent.

 

In a typical scenario, if a calf like 29L shows as excluded from its dam, reviewing calves with nearby birth dates can reveal clues. For instance, 28L has DNA on file but its dam doesn’t, you might try testing the excluded dam against 28L to see if it qualifies as the dam. If it does, this could confirm that a calf swap has occurred. This investigative approach, made easier with the recent updates, can help ranchers efficiently identify and resolve parentage issues with confidence.

EPD/Details

 In closing

 

With recent updates to AAA Login, including the addition of DNA status in the registration grid and expanded DNA Info options in the Custom Animal Report, ranchers now have more effective tools for submitting registration and resolving parentage issues. These enhancements allow members to access customized reports, view detailed parentage data, and quickly identify potential calf swaps, helping them maintain accurate records and uphold the integrity of their breeding programs with confidence.