(1) Header Section

The top portion of the Performance Registration Certificate (PRC) deals with pertinent information such as name, registration number, sex, tattoo, breeder and first owner. The breeder is the Association member who owned the dam at the time the animal was conceived; the first owner is the person who was the dam’s owner of record when the calf was born.

(2) Parentage/Genomic

This area provides information about what parentage and/or genomic tests have been performed on the animal.

If parentage has been verified, the paper will specify whether by blood type; microsatellite markers; or, the most recent technology, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).

Parents Qualified indicates that the animal has been parentage qualified to both parents and the mating.

DNA evaluations included in the Angus National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) to provide genomically enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) have evolved over time. If an animal has been DNA tested, the paper will indicate which test was performed, the i50K or HD 50K for Angus from Zoetis, the GGP-LD, GGP-HD, or Angus GS test from NEOGEN.

(3) Genetic Condition Information

If an animal is a potential carrier of a genetic condition or if it has been tested to determine its status for a particular condition, that information will be conveyed immediately below the animal’s registration number at the top of the PRC.

The American Angus Association currently recognizes the following genetic conditions:

AM Arthrogryposis Multiplex	DW Dwarfism
CA Contractural Arachnodactyly	RD Red Gene
DD Developmental Duplication	WT Wild Type Color Gene
M1 nt821 mutation for Double Muscling	HG Horn Gene
NH Neuropathic Hydrocephalus	HI Heterochromia Irides
D2 PRKG2 Gene Mutation for Dwarfism	OS Osteopetrosis
DM Double Muscling	SN Syndactyly
OH Oculocutaneous Hypopigmentation

The following single letter descriptors appearing after a genetic condition code shall have the following meaning:
P - Refers to a "potential" carrier based on an ancestor known to carry that specific mutation.
F - Refers to an animal tested for one or more genetic conditions and determined to be "free" of that specific mutation.
C - Refers to an animal tested for one or more genetic conditions and determined to be a “carrier” of that specific mutation.
A - Refers to an animal tested for one or more genetic conditions and determined to be a carrier of two copies of that specific mutation. It may or may not exhibit the phenotype associated with that genetic condition.

The following letter designations describe cases in which there is more than one genetic condition present:
XF - Free of more than 1 genetic condition
XC - Carrier of more than 1 genetic condition
XA - Affected of more than 1 genetic condition
RTF - Recessive Trait Free (Produced 35 or more calves from daughters without a genetic defect)

NOTE: The genetic condition codes and descriptors reflect the available, reported genetic condition status of the animal. The Association does not warrant or guarantee that any animal is free of all genetic conditions, whether coded or not coded.

AVOIDANCE OF MATING CARRIER ANIMALS WITH THE SAME GENETIC CONDITION IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF MANAGING THE INCIDENCE OF GENETIC CONDITIONS, AS IS THE STRATEGIC USE OF DNA TESTING.

(4) EPD Section

EPDs and $Values for the animal, its sire and its dam.

Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) is the prediction of how future progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of other animals listed in the database. EPDs are expressed in units of measure for the trait, plus or minus. Interim EPDs may appear on young animals when their performance has yet to be incorporated into the American Angus Association National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) procedures. This EPD will be preceded by an "I", and may or may not include the animal's own performance record for a particular trait, depending on its availability, appropriate contemporary grouping, or data edits needed for NCE.

EPDs are enhanced by genomic results generated by:
   

Accuracy (ACC) is the reliability that can be placed on the EPD. An accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher reliability. Accuracy is impacted by the number of progeny and ancestral records included in the analysis.

$Value Index ($Value) are bio-economic selection index allows multiple change in several different traits at once pertaining to a specific breeding objective. The $Value is an estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform, on average, compared to progeny of other sires if the sires were randomly mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same environment.

Calving Ease Direct (CED) is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first-calf heifers. It predicts the average difference in ease with which a sire's calves will be born when he is bred to first-calf heifers.

Birth Weight EPD (BW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny compared to that of other sires.

Weaning Weight EPD (WW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny compared to that of other sires.

Yearling Weight EPD (YW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny compared to that of other sires.

Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG), expressed in pounds per day, is a predictor of a sire’s genetic ability for postweaning gain in future progeny compared to that of other sires, given a constant amount of feed consumed.

Dry Matter Intake EPD (DMI), expressed in pounds per day, is a predictor of difference transmitting ability for feed intake during the postweaning phase, compared to that of other sires.

Yearling Height EPD (YH) is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit yearling height, expressed in inches, compared to that of other sires.

Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC), expressed in centimeters, is a predictor of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size compared to that of other sires.

Docility (Doc) is expressed as a difference in yearling cattle temperament, with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another sire’s calves. In herds where temperament problems are not an issue, this expected difference would not be realized.

Claw set EPD (Claw), is expressed in units of claw-set score, with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire will produce progeny with more ideal claw set. The ideal target for claw set being toes are symmetrical, evenly and appropriately spaced.

Foot angle EPD (Angle), is expressed in units of foot-angle score, with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire will produce progeny with more ideal foot angle. The ideal targeting animals with a 45-degree angle at the pastern joint with appropriate length and heel depth.

Pulmonary arterial pressure EPD (PAP), is expressed in millimeters of Mercury (mmHg), with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire should produce progeny with a lower PAP score. PAP score is an indicator of susceptibility to high altitude disease commonly experienced at elevations greater than 5,500 feet.

Hair Shedding EPD (HS), is expressed in units of hair shed score, with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire should produce progeny who shed their winter coat earlier in the spring.

Heifer Pregnancy (HP) is a selection tool to increase the probability or chance of a sire's daughters becoming pregnant as first-calf heifers during a normal breeding season. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction and the EPD is reported in percentage units.

Calving Ease Maternal (CEM) is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first-calf daughters. It predicts the average ease with which a sire's daughters will calve as first-calf heifers when compared to daughters of other sires.

Maternal Milk EPD (Milk) is a predictor of a sire's genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters compared to daughters of other sires. In other words, it is that part of a calf's weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability.

Mature Weight EPD (MW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of the difference in mature weight of daughters of a sire compared to the daughters of other sires.

Mature Height EPD (MH), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the difference in mature height of a sire's daughters compared to daughters of other sires.

$Cow Energy Value ($EN), expressed in dollar savings per cow per year, assesses differences in cow energy requirements as an expected dollar savings difference in daughters of sires. A larger value is more favorable when comparing two animals (more dollars saved on feed energy expenses). Components for computing the cow $EN savings difference include lactation energy requirements and energy costs associated with differences in mature cow size.

Carcass Weight EPD (CW), expressed in pounds is a predictor of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire's progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Marbling EPD (Marb), expressed as a fraction of the difference in USDA marbling score, is a predictor of the difference in marbling score of a sire's progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Ribeye Area EPD (RE), expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the difference in ribeye area of a sire's progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Fat Thickness EPD (Fat), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the differences in external fat thickness at the 12th rib (as measured between the 12th and 13th ribs) of a sire's progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Group/progeny (C Grp/ Pg and U Grp/Pg) reflect the number of contemporary groups and the number of carcass and ultrasound progeny included in the analysis.

$Value Index ($Value) are bio-economic selection index allows multiple change in several different traits at once pertaining to a specific breeding objective. The $Value is an estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform, on average, compared to progeny of other sires if the sires were randomly mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same environment.  More Info

$Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M), an index expressed in dollars per head, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics from conception to weaning. The underlying objective being producers will retain a portion of the female progeny as replacements and sell the rest of the cull females and their male counterparts as feeder calves. The model assumes commercial producers will replace 25% of their breeding females in the first generation and 20% of their breeding females in each subsequent generation. Traits included are as follows (in no particular order): calving ease direct and maternal, weaning weight, milk, heifer pregnancy, docility, mature cow weight and foot score EPDs – claw set and foot angle.

$Weaned Calf Value ($W), an index expressed in dollars per head, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics from birth to weaning. The underlying objective being producers will retain 20% of the female progeny as replacements and sell the rest of the cull females and their male counterparts as feeder calves. Traits included are as follows (in no particular order): birth weight, weaning weight, milk, and mature cow weight.

$Feedlot Value ($F), an index expressed in dollars per head, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for postweaning feedlot merit compared to the progeny of other sires. The underlying object being producers will retain ownership of cattle through the feedlot phase and sell cattle on a carcass weight basis. Traits contributing directly to the index are as follows (in no particular order): yearling weight (gain), carcass weight and feed efficiency.

$Grid Value ($G), an index expressed in dollars per carcass, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for carcass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires. The underlying objective being producers will market cattle on an above industry average carcass gird. Traits included in the index are as follows (in no particular order): carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, and fat.

$Beef Value ($B), a terminal index expressed in dollars per carcass, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for postweaning and carcass merit. The underlying objective being producers will wean all progeny, males and females, retain ownership of these animals through the feedlot phase and market these animals on a carcass grid. Traits included in the index are as follows (in no particular order): yearling weight, dry matter intake, marbling, carcass weight, ribeye area and fat.

$Combined Value ($C), expressed in dollars per head, is an index which includes all traits that make up both Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) and Beef Value ($B) with the objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their breeding females per year with replacement heifers retained within their own herd. The remaining cull heifer and steer progeny are then assumed to be sent to the feedlot where the producers retain ownership of those cattle and eventually sell them on a quality-based carcass merit grid.

(5) Print Date

Just below the EPD/$Value block is a “print date.” This is the date of the most recent NCE from which the EPDs were calculated at the time the paper was printed.

(6) Pedigree Section

This section reveals the animal’s three-generation pedigree. Symbols are used with a registration number to indicate specific information about an animal.

Embryo transfer (ET) animals will show a plus sign (+) before the registration number. A % symbol indicates an ET calf derived from a split embryo, while an @ symbol indicates an ET clone. A cell clone is indicated by a caret ^.

Animals with an asterik sign (*) before the registration number indicates that the animal has been parentage qualified to both parents and the mating.

A pound sign (#) before the registration number indicates the animal is a Pathfinder Sire or Pathfinder Dam. Annual listings of Pathfinders and the related requirements can be found at the link below.

Click here for more Pathfinder Information

This section provides information about what phenotypes have been submitted to the Association for the animal. Phenotypes listed in bold are included in the national cattle evaluation. CE (calving ease score), BW (birth weight), WW (weaning weight), YW (yearling weight), DMI (dry matter intake), YH (yearling height), SC (scrotal circumference), HP (heifer pregnancy), MW (mature weight) MH (mature height), Doc (docility score), Claw (claw shape) Angle (foot angle), PAP (pulmonary arterial pressure), HS (hair shed), UScanWT (ultrasound scan weight), UIMF (ultrasound intramuscular fat), URE (ultrasound ribeye area), URibFat (ultrasound rib fat), URumpFat (ultrasound rump fat), CW (carcass weight), Marb (marbling), RE (ribeye area), and Fat (back fat).

(7) Production Numbers

Below the pedigree is a table that contains performance data on the individual and its sire and dam.

Ind – The first line is the individual information on the animal. For example, this bull was calved unassisted (calving-ease score of 1). He had a birth weight ratio of 121 (21% heavier than the average of the 163 calves in his group). His weaning ratio was 112 (compared to the same group of 163 calves). His yearling ratio was 126; however, only 71 of the 163 calves in his weaning group were kept to yearling age in his management group.

Prog – The production and ultrasound sections of the second line reflect the performance of the individual’s progeny. In the calving-ease columns, only records from first-calf heifers are used. The maternal section deals with daughters of the individual and their respective records.

Sire – The production and maternal sections of the third line reflect records of the sire’s progeny.

Dam - The production and maternal sections of the last line reflect records of the dam’s progeny.

(8) Owner/Service Sire Section

This section lists the name of the recorded owner, their member number and the date of sale. If the animal is owned by multiple owners, that will be noted along with the number of owners. If the PRC is for a cow and the cow has been bred (or the cow is sold open) the information will print in this section of the PRC. The service dates and the registration number and name of the service bull are listed in this section. The number of times this animal has been transferred is also printed in this section.

Sample service information that prints for a cow.

(9) Bottom Section

At the bottom of the PRC, the date represents the date the listed ownership was processed in the AAA database. It is accompanied by the file number of the office transaction recording the ownership and the barcode of the animal’s registration number.

(10) Transfer Section

This section provides space to transfer the animal to a buyer. Fill out this section completely and mail the completed form to the American Angus Association with proper payment to complete the transfer.

The first line is for the seller’s signature (or an authorized agent’s signature) and member code authorizing the transfer of ownership on AAA’s records. The sale date reflects the date the change in ownership occurred followed by a check box indicating whether or not the seller is retaining an interest in the animal.

The next section allows for the transfer of ownership to up to three buyers. Association rules allow up tp three owners, and the PRC does not reflect percentage ownership.

Breeding records (service) must be reported on all females over 365 days of age or, the female is recorded as not bred (open). Use the checkbox to indicate the female is open.

This section allows up to six service records to be reported on a transfer of ownership. The services may be A.I. service date(s) or natural exposure date(s) to bull(s).

If a female is sold with an A.I. Breeding Privilege to one of the seller’s bulls, the check box needs to be checked.

When a female is serviced by natural service to a bull not owned by the seller of the female, this bull permit, (allowing registration of the resulting calf) should be signed by the owner of the service sire.

(11) Genetic Code Section

This block lists genetic conditions and descriptors that, when applicable, will be at the end of the registration number of the animal (and under the registration number in section 3) and each animal in the pedigree.