The Breeder’s Reference Guide has already been updated to include the rule changes and the most current version can be found at www.angus.org. It is essential you stay in tune with the Breeder’s Reference guide to ensure you are aware of changes pertaining to you and your operation.

The first rule addition is Rule 202 that affects the registration of imported animals resulting from embryo transfer.

1. Foreign embryos
Rule 202: Application for Registration

The request to import a registration into the American Angus Association registry shall come from or be approved by a member of the American Angus Association entitled to registration privileges. If the request is not from the breeder or a current owner, the request to import the registration will need to include written authorization from the breeder or a current owner. The animal being imported into the American Angus Association registry must first be recorded within the registry of an Association or Society recognized by the American Angus Association as a member of the World Angus Secretariat. Imported animals resulting from embryo transfer (born in U.S. conceived in a foreign country) must first have the sire and the dam registered with the American Angus Association prior to being registered in the American Angus Association Herd Book. In addition, to be eligible for registration these animals must have a genomic profile and the full suite of known commercially available tests for the genetic conditions monitored by the American Angus Association. Registration will be issued subject to a fee established by the Board of Directors (as amended Sept. 15, 2022, Feb. 8, 2024, and June 6, 2024).

This rule allows for more protection to maintain the integrity of the Association registry.

The second and the final rule update on the agenda was adding language to an already existing rule adopted in June 2023.

Rule 104: Animals Eligible for Registration.
d. Calves produced by embryo transplant. For calves resulting from an embryo transplant:

1. The Sire must be DNA-marker-typed or must have been blood-typed before Jan. 1, 2001.

2. The Embryo Transfer Donor Dam must be DNA-marker-typed or must have been blood-typed before Jan. 1, 2001. The full suite of known commercially available tests for the genetic conditions monitored by the American Angus Association will be required for all donor dams, born on or after Jan. 1, 2023, used for the purpose of Embryo Transfer (as amended June 8, 2023).

In the event DNA is unavailable from the donor dam for genetic condition testing, the full suite of known commercially available tests for the genetic conditions monitored by the American Angus Association will be required for all offspring applying for registration.

The additional verbiage is to not substitute best practices of collecting samples on donor dams but rather outline an alternative pathway.

One more topic for discussion at the recent Board of Directors meeting was the potential of offering an online membership application.

With the Board of Directors’ approval to proceed in offering an online membership application, this project is merely in the development phase currently. Once the online form is developed and released, it is intended to create efficiencies and be more user friendly.

I encourage everyone to not only stay current on the Breeder’s Reference Guide but also remain in tune to board action by following the President’s Letter, Board Highlights and The Angus Conversation podcast.