ADCA Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Help and F.A.Q.’s
Registration and Transfer of Animals?
– Do you accept any other form of identification other than a tattoo?
– Who do I notify about an address, phone number or email change?
– I have some general questions about Dexters who do I contact?
– When is it time to pay annual dues?
– Can I pay my annual dues with a check?
– What do I get with my membership?
– How do we handle joint ownership in cattle?
– How do I get a prefix?
– Can I use my prefix lf if someone else was the breeder?
– Who is considered the breeder?
– The calf was born on my property doesn’t that mean I’m the breeder?
– How do I revise information on a registration?
– I ordered many lab tests, why are they not showing up on my animal’s pedigree?
– I registered my calf as polled but now she’s growing horns, what should I do?
– My calf has scurs, what is that considered?
– My calf has a white spot, can it still be registered?
– Can PDCA registered cattle be registered with the ADCA?
– What does it mean for my cow/bull to be an “OBLIGATE”?
– The calf I registered is an Obligate non carrier, why doesn’t that appear on the registration?
– Does Obligate status pertain to genotyping?
– Why was my registration application returned without being processed?
– I registered or transferred my cow online, how long does it take?
– I misplaced a registration certificate, can I get a duplicate?
Who do I notify about an address, phone number or email change?
Contact your regional director. He/ She will forward your new information to the registrar.
I have some general questions about Dexters who do I contact?
Contact the regional director for your state. You can find your regional director on the ADCA website on the “Contact Us” page.
When is it time to pay annual dues?
ADCA annual membership dues are due at the beginning of each calendar year. Individual dues are $35.00 until January 31st and $40.00 thereafter. If you are a new member and begin your first free year in the middle of a year, you will need to pay dues at the beginning of the next year.
Can I pay my annual dues with a check?
Yes, you can mail a check payable to: American Dexter Cattle Association
What do I get with my membership?
Membership with the ADCA allows you one vote on matters being voted on. Family membership allows you two votes. You will receive a quarterly Dexter Bulletin keeping you informed of upcoming events, articles from your regional directors and news.
How do we handle joint ownership in cattle?
Joint ownership or partnership is handled by establishing a joint ADCA membership. One membership number will include the names of all co-owners. This number should be used for all future co-owned cattle and is subject to annual membership dues.
How do I get a prefix?
A herd prefix is required to establish the identity of a herd. A prefix is generally an abbreviation of a farm name. The animal name field only allows for 25 spaces, so please consider that when choosing a prefix. Contact the registrar to make sure the prefix you want has not been taken, as they may not be duplicated.
Can I use my prefix on a calf if someone else was the breeder?
No, if you were not the breeder of the calf then you cannot use your prefix. The name of the calf must reflect the breeder’s prefix. If an application is submitted with the wrong prefix, the registrar will change the animal’s name to reflect the breeder’s prefix.
Who is considered the breeder?
The breeder is the person who owned the cow at the time of breeding.
The calf was born on my property doesn’t that mean I’m the breeder?
No, the breeder is the person who owned the cow at the time of breeding. The purchase of a bred cow still makes the seller the breeder of that cow and the calf must contain the breeder’s prefix. You are, though, the first owner of this animal. Only you can register the animal.
How do I revise information on a registration?
Contact your regional director or the registrar for revisions to registrations. Revisions that cannot be made are cattle name changes and horned to polled (such as dehorning).
I ordered many lab tests, why are they not showing up on my animal’s pedigree?
The registrar’s office receives only genotyping DNA results from UC Davis or Texas A&M. Any further test results need to be uploaded/ emailed or mailed to the registrar.
I registered my calf as polled but now she’s growing horns, what should I do?
Notify the registrar via email that the registration should reflect a horned animal, not polled. You may not change from horned to polled.
My calf has scurs, what is that considered?
Scurs are considered polled.
My calf has a white spot, can it still be registered?
Yes, while the Dexter breed does not carry white markings, they do occur. You must contact the registrar to discuss the amount of white and placement. The white marking will be noted in the ADCA database.
Can PDCA registered cattle be registered with the ADCA?
It depends. Please review the Decision Tree diagram against your animal’s pedigree.
What does it me an for my cow/bull to be an “obligate”?
Obligate status refers to calves that are the offspring of parents that have the same test result. It can refer to the carrier or non-carrier status of PHA and Chondrodysplasia (as well as homozygous test results for polled, beta casein and color). In order to be considered an Obligate, test results must be on file with the ADCA on both the sire and dam, and both must be non-carriers or carriers.
The calf I registered is an Obligate non carrier, why doesn’t that appear on the registration?
It doesn’t appear because either the sire or dam’s test results have not been recorded with the ADCA. If you feel your calf is an Obligate non-carrier, double check the sire and dam on the ADCA Online Pedigree search to be sure their results are recorded. If you don’t see the words non-carrier or carrier in the Chondro or PHA fields, then that means the ADCA does not have the information and you will need to provide either the sire’s results or the dam’s results to be recorded.
Does Obligate status pertain to genotyping?
No, each animal has its own unique genotype. Though the sire and dam have their genotypes recorded with the ADCA, the calves being registered still need their own genotyping done.
Why was my registration application returned without being processed?
Incomplete registrations are returned along with a detailed letter of explanation. Please refer to the ADCA website for further information as noted on the return letter.
I registered or transferred my cow online, how long does it take?
Most registrations and transfers are complete 2 – 3 weeks after submission unless they are being held for questions. If you do not see your animal listed on the ADCA website Pedigree Search within 2 – 3 weeks, please contact your regional director.
I misplaced a registration certificate; can I get a duplicate?
Yes, contact the registrar for a duplicate certificate. There is a $3.00 fee for each certificate which can be paid via PayPal or by check.
Ear Tattoo Letter For 2021 is “J
Most breeders use the following sequence for tattooing. First, the letter initial of their farm, followed by the number of the calf for the year, and then the associated tattoo letter for the year.
For example, if your farm name is “Cherrydale Fa rm” and you are tattooing say the 5th calf that is born in 2021, then the ear tattoo for this
calf would C5J
“C” Stands for the farm name initial.
“5” Identifies that it is the fifth calf born this year.
J Stands for the tattoo letter associated with Year 2021
We also accept the last 6 digits of a “USDA 840” ear tag.
Tattoo suggestions:
1. Halter or muzzle the animal, if necessary.
2. Cleanse the area to be tattooed using a cloth dampened with a cleansing fluid, such as alcohol, to remove dirt, grease, and wax.
3. Insert the correct symbols into the pliers and press down firmly over the needles with a thin rubber sponge pad. This pad helps to release the needles from the skin.
4. Check the correctness of the symbols by making a mark on a piece of paper.
5. Smear ink on the needles and on the skin, choosing an area free from freckles and warts, if possible.
Place the symbols parallel to and between the veins or cartilaginous ridges of the ear. The accidental piercing of a vein may spoil the tattoo.
6. Make the imprints with a quick firm movement and immediately apply a further amount of ink from the container onto the ear and rub vigorously and continuou sly for at least fifteen seconds to ensure penetration. This is very important. The most effective method is to rub thumb and forefinger, though a brush may be used.
7. Remove the rubber pad and rinse it and the needles in water, then dry. The sponge rubber pad should be discarded when it begins to lose its elasticity. The brush, if one is used, should also be rinsed.
8. Do not disturb the area until the healing process is complete, which may be from 5 days to 21 days, depending on the age of the animal.
9. Keep a list of tattoo numbers with names of animals and enter same in your private breeding records.
Do you accept any other form of identification other than a tattoo?
We also accept the last 6 digits of a “USDA 840” ear tag.
|
This
table gives each year and its associated tattoo letter |
||||
|
Y-2011
|
D-2016
|
J-2021
|
P-2026
|
W-2031 |
|
Z-2012
|
E-2017
|
K-2022
|
R-2027
|
X-2032 |
|
A-2013
|
F-2018
|
L-2023
|
S-2028
|
Y-2033 |
|
B-2014
|
G-2019
|
M-2024
|
T-2029
|
Z-2034 |
|
C-2015
|
H-2020
|
N-2025
|
U-2030
|
A-2025 |