Canadian Angus Association Parentage Verification Policy
Your Association and board of directors’ goal is to help guarantee your genetics and provide bull buyers with the most accurate pedigree information possible. We can provide a SNP Parentage Verification test with double the number of SNPs so that our parentage verification is more accurate than ever. The requirements for parent verification on sires reinforces this. Genomic testing for parentage verification must be conducted through the Canadian Angus Association. All foreign marker requests will need to meet global quality standards and will be subject to a foreign marker fee.
All sires born on or before December 31, 2018 must have a DNA parentage profile on record with the Canadian Angus Association showing sire verification before their offspring can be registered.
All sires born on or after January 1, 2019 must have a DNA parentage profile on record with the Canadian Angus Association showing parentage verification (to both sire and dam) before their offspring can be registered.
Sires being used for AI must be parentage verified (to both sire and dam) to the before they are granted AI approval status.
As of April 1, 2026 sires are required to be tested for genetic conditions and have an Angus HD test prior to AI Approval being granted.
Dam Policy
- All dams used as donor dams must be DNA parentage tested. It is recommended that dams used as donors be parentage verified to the fullest extent possible.
- If a dam is less than 516 days of age when a calf is born, then the calf must be parentage verified to the sire and the dam; in this case the dam would require a DNA parentage test.
- As of April 1, 2026 dams are required to be tested for genetic conditions and have an Angus HD test prior to Donor Dam Approval being granted.
Calf Policy
- If a cow is re-bred by AI or natural service from a different sire within 14 days of the previous service, the owner is required to report both services to the Canadian Angus Association and request a DNA parentage test so the calf is registered properly once the sire is determined.
- If breeding dates and birthdates are questionable, the Canadian Angus Association will ask breeders for clarification of the dates, and recommend that a DNA parentage test be performed if there is a question regarding correctness of the pedigree.
The breeder is responsible for ensuring compliance with the parentage verification policy and if a cow is available and not tested, CAA has the right to suspend the cow until testing is completed as per a decision made by the CAA Board of Directors in June 2024.
If you wish to DNA parentage test a new calf for which you are unsure of the sire, please provide birth information including the dam, possible sires, calf tattoo and date of birth. The Association will send DNA test paperwork, the calf will be assigned a temporary number, and the registration will be completed after the DNA results are reported and a sire is determined. If a member is uncertain of the accuracy of a pedigree, for example if there have not been 14 days between exposures, the DNA parentage test must be done before a registration number is assigned.
It takes approximately 21 calendar days from the date the sample is received at the Canadian Angus Association for results to be received. There is no rush service so please ensure that you allow adequate time for testing.
Angus HD results take approximately 60 days from the time the sample is submitted until the results will be available after the next NCE.
What type of samples can be submitted?
Your Association strongly recommends that you collect a DNA sample on your animals when you are processing them. You are able to store most types of sample at room temperature in a safe, dry location indefinitely. Please ensure that the samples are well labelled with the animal's tattoo or registration number for ease of future use.
Samples can be submitted as:
- Hair
- Hair samples should include the hair root or follicle and be affixed to hair cards available through your Association.*
- Blood
- Blood cards are available through your Association.*
- Tissue
- Tissue sampling units (TSUs) are available through your Association. If using TSUs, please email an Excel spreadsheet of your TSU barcodes* and corresponding animal tattoo to Genomic Services
Click here for TSU/Hair Card and Tattoo template now includes genomic test requests
- Semen
*see PDF guides at the bottom of this page
What type of DNA tests are there?
The Process
- Record animal with Canadian Angus Association or in AngusNOW.
- Setup a test request:
- When doing registrations in AngusNOW add in your alternate sire’s and choose PV or Angus HD test. NOTE currently you cannot enter requests in AngusNOW after the initial registration process.
- OR Submit your list to the member services team via email. You can use the DNA test request form or send a list via email.
- DNA paperwork will no longer be required or sent to you.
- Samples can be submitted through Hair, Blood or TSUs. Both hair and blood must be submitted on a CAA-provided hair card. Both Hair and Blood cards as well as TSUs can be purchased by calling 403-571-3580 or by emailing. These are not automatically sent out when a DNA test is requested.
- Submit clearly labelled samples to the Canadian Angus Association. (Information is on the forms for where and how to send: Canadian Angus Association, Unit 14 – 620 1st AVE NW Airdrie, AB T4B 2R3).
- Testing takes 21 calendar days from the day the sample is received at CAA. Once we have received results you will be notified either via email or mail.
How to DNA Test for Coat Colour
A DNA test is available to distinguish black cattle that carry red genes from those that are homozygous black. If you wish to coat colour test an Angus animal, contact the Association with the tattoo and registration number and we will prepare a test kit for you. Hair samples are used for coat colour testing.
The hide colour of Angus animals is determined by one loci at which three different alleles are possible. E, the dominant black gene; e, the recessive red gene; and E+, the wild type gene that can result in black or red hide colour in the absence of the dominant black gene.
Inheritance Mechanism for Coat Colour
A calf with unexpected coat colour should be parentage verified first. Once the pedigree is verified, the calf and parent animals can be tested for coat colour genes. The coat colour and genotype do not affect an animal’s eligibility for registration.
Spot Testing
In November 2024, the Canadian Angus Association Board of Directors decided to extend the suspension of the spot testing program for an additional year. The board decided in October 2023 to suspend the program for one year and then review the decision. The board of directors recognizes that most members are testing their entire calf crop and older cows, and that we have stringent testing requirements. Members who have outstanding spot tests are required to complete these outstanding tests. No new spot tests will be requested, and the Board of Directors will assess whether to reinstate the spot test program at their fall 2025 meeting.
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Spot Test Policy (currently suspended)
In an effort to ensure that the parentage of registered animals is correct and to maintain breed purity, the Canadian Angus Association verifies the parentage of every 400 registered animal. When an animal is chosen, the Association will notify the owner and a DNA parentage test will be done.
If the spot test confirms parentage, the Canadian Angus Association will pay for the test. If a parentage error is discovered, the member will be charged for the spot test and must complete an additional spot test also at their expense. In addition, for every parentage test that reveals an error, the member must complete additional spot tests, doubling the number of tests for each error.
Hair samples will be required on both the dam and the calf. If the DNA parentage markers for the sire are not already on file, they will be required as well. Test samples must be submitted within 6 months of notification or the member’s account will be suspended and the member will pay for one additional parentage test for each outstanding test.
Suspension of Registration
If a DNA parentage test identifies a parentage problem on a registered animal, a temporary suspension will be applied and the Canadian Angus Association will work toward a solution with the parties involved. Once the parentage and pedigree have been resolved, the suspension will be removed. If the parentage problem remains unsolved, the suspension will remain. Progeny of suspended of animals are also suspended until the problem is resolved.
