boondocks":3fvhax3f said:SPH":3fvhax3f said:Once again you've made another incorrect assumption. The Hereford breed absolutely has had issues with recessive genetic conditions. If you want to register calves out of any Hereford bull or flush a cow for ET you are required to DNA test for Hypotrichosis, Dilutor, and Idiopathic Epilepsy.
I don't consider it scaremongering or hysteria to have the mindset that reproducing genetic defects should be avoided where possible. Again, you are entitled to your own opinion as I am mine but defect free cattle is going to have more value to both you and your customers than the continued use and replication of the genetics that are carriers of a genetic defect.
Am I reading this right, that every registered Hereford must be DNA tested regardless of whether there is any cause for concern in the pedigree?
DNA testing for parentage and defects is required on all bulls that will have purebred calves registered by him or cows that will be ET donors. So basically if you are going to use a Hereford bull in a purebred operation and want to register calves sired by him he must be DNA tested. Many guys now who sell bulls are just going ahead and DNA testing prior to selling regardless who is buying them which I think those who are doing that are smart for doing so as it takes a lot of the risk and guesswork out of potentially selling a bull who is a carrier or flushing a cow that is. I wouldn't be surprised if the testing requirements are eventually expanded in the future. When this requirement was first implemented it created a backlog of tests with the lab they were using so getting test results were taking awhile but now you get the results back within about a week or so it seems like.