dna testing requirements for ibep bulls

In order to be eligible for the IBEP bull sale, bulls are required to have GE-EPD, be free from lethal and semi-lethal genetic defects, and be parentage verified to both the sire and dam. Tests for these are done through your breed association. Frequently there is a lower cost overall if you test for several things at once, or you can order specific individual tests.

GE-EPD

Bulls must have genomic testing, so they will have genomic-enhanced EPDs (GE-EPD). These EPDs combine the bull’s performance data, data from relatives (pedigree data), and the DNA information. Resulting EPDs are more accurate than those from performance data alone, particularly for young bulls.

Free from lethal and semi-lethal genetic defects

These are recessive alleles, so a bull with only 1 copy (a carrier of the allele) will be normal himself but has a 50% chance of passing it on to an offspring. We don’t want to take that chance. Bulls can either be DNA tested to be sure they are not a carrier, or the breed association can determine that the are free of the allele based on their pedigree. Look up the bull’s registration number on the breed association’s web site. Generally, it will say whether the bull is a potential carrier. Each breed association is different in how they give the information. For Angus, it will say “DDP” if the bull is a potential carrier of DD based on its pedigree. Other breeds might say he is a “potential carrier”.

IBEP is not concerned about genes for color or horns. It’s more information for a potential buyer of your bull, but does not affect sale eligibility.

Parentage Verified/Qualified to Both the Sire and Dam

Testing will get parentage SNP data for the bull (specific DNA information that is used to match to parents). However, getting parentage SNP for the bull himself may not be sufficient. You need to be sure the bull’s sire and dam both have parentage SNP, or the verification can’t happen. You can look at the bull’s pedigree - if you look up the sire and dam online, you can tell if they have parentage SNP. If they don’t, you have to get a sample for them into the breed association’s system.

If the bull does not qualify to a parent, the breed association will likely suspend his registration. For example, say he didn’t qualify to the sire. You’d have to figure out who the likely sire is, get blood samples if necessary, and have the breed association check. Once the correct parent is identified, the registration will come back.

Don’t Wait! Get all of this done as soon as possible!

Aside from parentage snags, processing of DNA samples can take time, as lots of cattle owners are sending in data. Be sure to also check whether blood or hair samples are needed, and how to obtain good quality samples. Bad samples will slow down the process. When you get a blood sample, make a couple blood cards for the bull, just in case of problems. If an IBEP bull does not have all of his DNA information by the deadline, your bull will not be eligible for the sale.