DNA

Memorandum & Articles of Association

CLICK the following link to download the current ICSA Memorandum and Articles of Assoc.

pdf ICSA Memorandum and Articles of Association (157 KB)

Updated 2012 AGM

ICSA DNA POLICY

The Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia (ICSA) has enacted the following DNA Testing Policies, effective on 1 January 2018.

1. All matters of identification and parentage will be accepted as official as determined by the designated laboratory.

Genotype and/or DNA results must meet ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics) standards of parentage affirmation for animals typed through a laboratory retained by ICSA.

Until further notice, the ICSA has retained the service of the NEOGEN Australasia for all DNA typing and parentage verification.

2. Testing can be initiated by:

a) Breeder Inquiry:

Any breeder/owner can request a test kit from ICSA for testing of animals in their herd. These results will be kept on file with the ICSA. All expenses to be paid by the breeder/owner.
b) Bulls:

All bulls must be genotyped, or DNA typed before a registration paper is returned to the breeder/owner. The owner of the bull will be responsible for all expenses for meeting these requirements.

c) Presidents:

Any animal sold, or exhibited, as registered by the ICSA can be genotyped or DNA typed at the discretion of an executive consisting of the President, the Senior Vice President, and the Junior Vice President. All expenses to be paid by ICSA.
d) Breeder Protest:

If a party other than the owner requests the President in writing to test an animal for any reason, the person requesting the examination must first post a $500 bond with the President. All testing expenses to be paid by ICSA.
     I. If the parental identification of the animal tested does not match registration records the  bond is returned to the person requesting the test.
     II. If the parental identification of the animal tested matches registration records the bond is  forfeited and deposited in the general fund of the ICSA.

e) Embryo Transfer:

All calves born as a result of embryo transfer shall be DNA tested, with parentage verification, before a registration paper is issued. The breeder/owner is responsible for this cost.

3. Sampling Process:

To ensure accuracy of samples and to protect both ICSA and the breeders/ owners the following requirements will be adhered to:
a) Breeder Inquiry, Bulls & Embryo Transfer: 

    Samples may be collected by breeder/owner or their chosen representative.
b) President and Breeder Protest: 

    Samples must be collected by a veterinarian in the presence of a suitable ICSA representative

4. DNA Sample Results:

a) All matters of identification and parentage as determined by the designated laboratory will be accepted as official.

b) Positive Parental Identification:  

    No action necessary – registration confirmed.

c) Negative Parental Identification:
     I. Parentage Known: 

        Adjust registration type/percentage as necessary of tested animal and offspring to accurately reflect true parentage.
          1. Awards and show winnings retained if new registration type/percentage is eligible.
          2. If the show eligibility changes due to a corrected registration, then this should apply from the date of corrected registration.
          3. If the animal in question has a registered name that includes the name of the negative parent relation, the registered name must be                        updated to prevent misleading, or confusion, of other breeders.
          4. All registration paper corrections (individual and any offspring) will be paid for by the breeder.

     II. Parentage Unknown:  

        Registration paper revoked, and registration of any offspring adjusted with tested parent listed as unknown.

5. Negative Result Follow-Up Actions

     animals bred by the breeder/herd unit may be DNA typed.

6. Non-Cooperation of Breeders

This may lead to elimination of registrations and loss of membership.

7. Adapted from AMSS Policy. September 2018

Download the DNA Policy Page 1 HERE and Page 2 HERE.

Published 19.02.23

Registration Policy

Females

To be registered in the Illawarra Herd Book, all female animals must contain 37.5% and above of Illawarra blood purity.

All animals with Illawarra blood purity of under 37.5% will be registered in a Supplementary Register and given their true Illawarra blood percentage on their registration certificate.

Animals registered in the Supplementary Register of the Society's Herd Book are ineligible to be shown.

Bulls

From January 1, 2012, all male calves being registered must be DNA tested at the breeder's expense. Further information on this is available under the DNA Policy.

To register a bull in the Illawarra Herd Book, they must be:

• Of acceptable colour, i.e., no blue, black or brindle-coloured animals.
• No minimum Illawarra blood percentage restriction.
• Either sire or dam to be registered in the Illawarra Herd Book (full or supplementary), and
• The other parent is either registered in the ICSA Herd Book or from the Roll of Approved Stock being Red Factor and Red & White Holsteins, Ayrshires, European Reds, Milking Shorthorns and ARB.

Dual registration of animals acceptable to the Illawarra Breed Standards will be allowed.

The XYZ system was dispensed with after the closure of the 2010 Herd Book.

To carry out online registration of Illawarra cattle click on the following link:  http://www.lbcentre.com.au/Illawarra_Registrations.php

Download a copy of the Registration Policy HERE.

Updated 19.02.23

ICSA By-Laws

For a copy of the ICSA By-Laws, CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING:

             pdf ICSA BY LAWS (183 KB)

Showing Policy

All animals to be shown must meet Society's Colour Rule.

Only animals registered in the Society’s Herd Book can be shown subject to the following conditions:

Animals born after 01 January 2012 (01/01/2012) are subject to the following rules to come into effect from 1/1/2015:

• Minimum 37.5% Illawarra blood percentage (as printed on registration certificates)
• Both parents registered in the ICSA Herd Book or sired by a sire of a breed that has full herd book status with the ICSA.

Animals born before 1/1/2012 cannot be shown if they have two consecutive Holstein sires.

Animals registered in the Supplementary Register of the Society's Herd Book are ineligible to be shown.

For the Registration Policy, go to the separate section - Registration Policy.

All Illawarra Cattle Society Members must abide by the Showing Policy.

An animal born from 01 January 2021 (01/01/2021) that does not comply with the Showing Policy that is shown, may be deregistered at the discretion of the Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia Federal Board.

Download a copy of the Showing Policy HERE.

Published 19.02.23

DNA - Genotyping Application Procedure

DNA TESTING PROCEDURE:

The ICSA uses Neogen Australasia Pty Ltd (previously Geneseek Australasia and University of Queensland) to conduct DNA testing of male calves.

DNA collection kits are available from the Livestock and Business Centre, Kiama.

Step 1: 

Members should send their Herd Book Entry Forms to the Livestock and Business Centre.  Payment for the registration fee plus the DNA test ($40 per bull) should be included.

Step 2: 

Members should complete a Neogen Australasia Pty Ltd  PUBLIC CATTLE GENOTYPING APPLICATION and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Step 3:

Post a copy of the form with the DNA sample to:

ET CALVES:
A hair sample should be taken from the donor Dam at the time of flushing.  As the Dam should already be registered, the cost of the Dam's DNA test forms part of the flushing costs.  It is the responsibility of the owner of the donor Dam to organise it's DNA test.

The ICSA registration fee for ET calves is $40.00 which includes the DNA cost. If Parent Verification is required an additional $5.50 needs to be paid.  If the calf has been previously registered without a DNA test being done a DNA test and parent verification still needs to be carried out.  In this case, the DNA fee is $29.00 plus $5.50 if parent verification is required.

If both parents of the ET calf are deceased, contact the Kiama office for further information.

Click on the following link for a SUBMISSION FORM from Neogen's website or you can download the CATTLE GENOTYPING APPLICATION 2019 form below.  Don't forget to ensure you follow the correct procedure for collecting a hair sample.

http://genomics.neogen.com/au/submission-forms

pdf HAIR SAMPLE INSTRUCTIONS 2019 (391 KB)

spreadsheet CATTLE GENOTYPING APPLICATION 2019 (153 KB)  

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM NEOGEN AUSTRALASIA (received August 2018):

Certificates
Due to the numerous resources required to create certificates, they will no longer form part of the ‘standard’ report format. If they are required for any reason, their creation will be charged at $10 (ex GST) each.

Re-Issue of Results
The re-issue of results is extremely time consuming for our staff and a major distraction from our standard reporting of results. Due to this significant drain on our resources, the re-issue of results will be charged at our hourly fee ($100 ex GST per hour, billed in 15 min increments). We also will only investigate and process these requests in the last week of the calendar month; requests received outside of this time will be filed to be actioned within the next window.

Submission Forms
Staff in all departments of NAA are affected by incorrectly completed submission forms, the main areas of concern surround:
• old forms
• handwritten forms
• incompatible or old tests requested
• incomplete parent information

In order to reduce confusion and incorrect assumptions as well as turnaround time, please ensure that the most up to date version of the submission form is used. (See link above)

Any old or handwritten submission form will be returned to the breed society for clarification (where possible, the submitting member will be cc’d into this correspondence).

If both the parent identifier (either name or ident) AND the barcode (UQ case number or barcode) are not supplied with a parent verification request, the verification will not be run. The member can choose to resubmit with the correct information but will be charged a re-PV fee.

Colour Rules

To be eligible to be shown cattle must be of acceptable colour, those colours are red, white, roan or red and white intermixed including the various shades of red.

Minimal black hair around the edges of ears and muzzle are accepted as well as a small black birthmark. Excluded will be black-faced and black or brindle colours.

Females not meeting colour requirements for showing but with minimal black markings will not be penalised for registration purposes.

Full black or brindle-bodied females may only be registered in the Supplementary Register and shall have their registration certificates marked OC (off-colour).

For registration purposes, bulls must meet the colour requirements of the female standard for showing.

Breeders are reminded of the importance of maintaining breed identity in relation to colour thus avoiding undesirable traits. For example - White skin pigmentation.

Download a copy of the Color Rule HERE.

Published 19 February 2022

Code of Ethics

Unethical Practice in the Showing, Exhibition and Promotion of Registered Illawarras:

The ICSA has adopted the All Breeds National Show Ring Code of Ethics with the exception of teat setting which is not condoned by the Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia.  The National Show Ring Code of Ethics applies also to the preparation of animals for the Real Australian Photographic Competition, the All World Red Cow Photographic Competition and for herd or individual animal promotion purposes.

All exhibitors should make themselves aware of the All Breeds National Show Ring Code of Ethics. To download a copy, click on the following link:

pdf National Show Ring Code of Ethics Update 14 December 2016 (132 KB)