CURLY CALF TESTING

NH - Neuropathic Hydrocephalus Testing - $24 NH and AM off same sample at same time - $45

Instructions for Hair Sample Collection from Cattle	Submission Form
Collect hair samples from the end of the tail (the tail switch). Remove any manure or grass/straw from the tail. Sometimes washing of the tail will be necessary. Grasp a clump of hair (about as thick as a ball point pen) with either your hand or pliers. Pull the hair samples out with a sudden movement so as to pull the hair with the follicle from the tissue. The hair follicles embedded in the tissue are needed for testing, not the actual hair. Make sure that you have 30-40 follicles. If you do not see 30-40, pull more hair. Place hair in a hair card (purchased at SEK Genetics). Hair samples not submitted in a hair card, will not be ran.	Click to print $24.00
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if my animal is AM affected?
An AM calf is born dead. They will have a bent or severely twisted spine. They will be small and thin with rigid legs that may be hyper-extended. To see pictures, go to www.angus.org
How do I know if my animal is NH affected?
The most obvious sign of a NH affected calf is a extremely enlarged cranium (basketball size) and malformed skull bones. Testing needs to be done to confirm an NH affected animal and reported to the Angus association.
What breeds are affected?
For the most part, some genetic lines of Angus, but anything with Angus at all may be at risk (depending on genetics).
What is an AM or an NH carrier?
An AM or an NH carrier simply carries the gene but is not affected. They can pass the gene to their offspring or if bred to another carrier, may have an AM affected calf.
You can mate an AM carrier heifer, cow, or bull with caution.
If you breed an AM carrier with an AM free animal, you will get: 50% risk of an AM carrier 50% chance of an AM free If you breed an AM free with another AM free animal, you will get: AM free calf every time If you breed an AM carrier to another AM carrier animal you will get: 25% chance of a free calf 50% risk of a carrier calf 25% risk of an affected calf
Results are the same for an NH carrier
What kind of samples are accepted?
Straw of semen Purple topped blood tube (To purchase tubes: $.25/tube) Blood card (To purchase cards: $1/card) Hair card (To purchase cards: $1/card) If you buy the hair or blood cards from SEK Genetics, we will discount your test $1/sample.
How long will the processing take?
Results for AM will typically be available at the end of 10 business days, but is not guaranteed. Results for NH typically will take 5-8 business days but is not guaranteed.
Where do I send samples?
SEK Genetics 9525 70th Road Galesburg, KS 66740 1-800-443-6389 Please include submission form completely filled out when sending in samples. Results will be submitted to breed associations upon request. Improper labeling of samples can cause delay in results or rejection.
If a sample comes back NR, that means either there was not enough sample or the sample was not clean. You still must pay for NR! If you want to retest this animal, please send a new sample with payment.