DNA FINGERPRINTING
& PATERNITY TESTING

These regulations have been introduced to increase the accuracy and quality of pedigree information for animals registered in Angus Australia’s Herd Book Register.

See Angus Australia Regulations for regulations concerning DNA Fingerprinting and Paternity Testing requirements for the registration of calves.

For DNA fingerprinting charges see Schedule of Fees.

See Frequently Asked Questions for a list of the most commonly asked questions about the DNA regulations and testing.

From the 30th March 2008 The Board has made the decision the University of Queensland will be the only lab used for DNA typing in reference to the Regulations. Please contact Angus Australia's Registrar's for more information.

Sources of DNA suitable for testing

1. Hair Sample

Hair samples have become the material of choice for DNA typing. It is important to remember the DNA is only found in the hair follicles or the hair roots.

We recommend that the animals be at least 60 days old before you take the samples. On younger animals, the hair is very fine and tends to break close to the skin leaving the hair roots behind. These samples cannot be tested.

Requirements

Before you actually get the hair samples from your animals, you will need the
following:

• Hair bags- for the University of Queensland. These bags can be obtained by contacting Angus Australia. A DNA Request Form will also be sent to each member with the bags. Make sure you complete the Request Form for each animal with all relevant animal identification information before collection. Any samples with incomplete details or not submitted correctly will not be processed .
  
• Cleaning Materials (comb, brush, water and bucket, paper towels etc). To
  obtain a good hair sample make sure that the tail switch is clean. A simple good brushing is usually sufficient to remove excess dirt and manure. Dirty samples may not be accepted by the laboratory.
  Wash your hands before you take another sample to prevent contamination between samples. A single hair follicle from another animal is enough to contaminate the whole hair sample.
  
• Collection Procedures. Make sure you read the instructions for collection on the pamphlet carefully before you begin. Remember to only include one animal's hair sample per bag.

If you have any doubts about the quality of the hair sample, discard it and pull another one.

2. Semen Straw

If members have purchased semen for a HBR/RAR or APR bull not already DNA fingerprinted, then they should retain one straw of that bull’s semen to allow DNA fingerprinting if needed.

Australia post allows the sending of liquid biological material such as semen through the ordinary post provided the dispatch procedures are followed carefully.
Liquid nitrogen is not necessary for semen samples.

Requirements

• Sample Bag. These bags can be obtained by contacting Angus Australia. The bag has an application form on the front and protocol for dispatch on the back. Make sure you complete the application for each animal with all relevant animal identification information before dispatch.
• Semen Straw. Semen straws need to be protected from being crushed by mail
  sorters or rough handling. This is achieved by wrapping the straw between
  firm cardboard layers. (Supplied inside your sample bag)
• Frozen leak-proof container. (Frozen popper or water frozen flat in a balloon). It is normally not necessary to send semen straws on ice. However, if the samples are likely to take more than 3 days in transit or are likely to be exposed to high temperatures in transit, it is advisable to send the straws strapped to a frozen leak-proof container.
• Absorbent material. (E.g. cotton wool). Sufficient absorbent material is wrapped around the whole package to absorb all of the liquid should the primary leak-proofing container (snap lock plastic sample bag) fail.
• Strong sealed outer box. Package must be placed in a strong, sealed outer
  box for mailing through the ordinary post.
• Dispatch Procedures. Make sure you read the dispatch procedures (on back of sample bag) carefully. Any sample not submitted correctly will not be processed.

Semen straw samples should be sent to the Angus Australia Office.

3. Empty Semen Straw

This DNA methodology has not been tested on a large scale and therefore we cannot guarantee a result. Occasionally there may be cervical cells from the cow contaminating the used semen straw. Anyone wishing to test a used semen straw should be aware that they will be charged whether a result is achieved or not.

Requirements

• Sample Bag. This bag can be obtained by contacting Angus Australia. The bag has an application form on the front and protocol for dispatch on the back. Make sure you complete the application for each animal with all relevant animal identification information before dispatch.
• Blotting paper. (Supplied with the sample bag) You need to place a drop of semen onto blotting paper before insemination. The blotting paper is then sent with the used semen straw inside the sample bag. Please ensure that you use the blotting paper supplied by Angus Australia to avoid contamination.
• Empty Straw. Once you have inseminated the female, place the empty straw into the sample bag.
• Firm Cardboard. Once you have inserted the used straw and blotting paper into the sample bag you need to wrap the whole package between firm cardboard layers.
• Padded postage envelope. These are available at any post office or newsagency.
• Dispatch procedures. Make sure you read the dispatch procedures (on back of sample bag) carefully. Any sample not submitted correctly will not be processed.

Empty straw samples are sent to Angus Australia Office to be forwarded onto the Laboratory.

B. Costs incurred for DNA fingerprinting see Schedule of Fees