U.S. Normande Breeders Organization Incentive for New Members

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization offers new members who join the opportunity to register or transfer any animal regardless of age for the special price of $10 per animal during the first year of membership.  Registering and identifying your animals is an investment that can greatly increase value by knowing and documenting their ancestry.

Rules and Regulation for Registrations

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization has established a herdbook to register animals and to maintain these records for future generations. Only animals from approved breeds will be accepted for registry. A complete list of Approved Breeds will be maintained by the Registry and may be amended at any time.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization will offer the following registry sections for the Normande animals:

• Appendix (Black border for animals that are less than 50% Normande)
• 1^st Generation ( Yellow border for animals that are 50% and less than 75% Normande )
• 2^nd Generation ( Red border for animals that are 75% and less than 87.5% Normande )
• Purebred ( Blue border for animals that are 87.5% and less than 100% Normande )
• Fullblood ( Blue border for animals that are 100% Normande )

The Registry Sections may be amended as needed.

Standards for Registration - Breed Percentage

The following rules will apply to the Normande breed:

Fullblood registration is available to all animals having not less than one hundred (100) percent blood.

1. Fullblood registration is available to all animals which are offspring of both a sire and dam registered as Fullblood in the Composite Dairy Cattle Registry herdbook and meet all other requirements for registry.
2. Fullblood registration is available to all imported animals which are recorded as Fullblood in the herdbook of the Association in the country of origin. This rule also applies to an Embryo Transplant animal, if both parents (sire and dam) are recorded as Fullblood in the herdbook of the Association in the country or origin.
3. Fullblood is defined as describing animals whose entire ancestry can be traced and verified.

Purebred registration is available to all animals meeting the following requirements:

1. The sire and dam are registered with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization, excluding foreign/imported animals as described in above Rules.
2. Sire and Dam contribute equally to offspring % percentage of breed.
3. Fullblood’s (100%) can only be the result of two fullblood parents (FB Registry)
4. The minimum % percent of breed for a Purebred animal is 87.5% (7/8)
5. Bulls and Females that are 87.5% (7/8) of breed are considered Purebred animals (PB Registry).
6. Mating of an 87.5% (7/8) sire to an 87.5% (7/8) dam will result in an animal that is also 87.5% (7/8) and is considered Purebred.

Registration is available to all animals meeting the following requirements:

1. Animals with less than 87.5% (7/8) of a breed will be registered as a either Appendix, 1^st Generation or 2^nd
2. Breed % percentage is calculated on the average of the parents rounded down.

 (many breeders have maintained hand written record that can be used to qualify animals for registration in this section)

 Registration Certificates

Percentage of breed bloodlines will be recorded and listed on the registry certificate. Any breed percentage two or less will be dropped and added to the predominant breed. Letter abbreviations for breeds will be determined, in part, by accepted industry standards.

Animals in the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization will be eligible for all programs of the Registry. To be eligible for these programs futurities and shows, animals must be registered in the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization.

Application for registration must be made on the form provided by the Registry, photocopy of approved breed certificate, or other form that may be approved and/or accepted.

The application for registry shall state the bloodlines of the ancestors of the animal. If either the sire or dam of any animal is registered in the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization, this name and registry number must be used. If either the sire or dam is registered in another breed association, that name and registry number must be used. If either the sire or dam is unregistered, an identification number and or name must be given on the application. This identification must not be duplicated on any other animal in the herd. This animal will then be given an identifier number in the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization and must be used when registering other resulting offspring. If no identification number is known or given the sire and/or dam will be listed on the certificate of registry as "unknown".

All cattle shall be named and may not consist of more than 30 spaces, including suffixes. Names shall not duplicate names of animals previously registered. The following suffixes are required:

• ET - designates embryo Transfer
• TW - designated twin
• TR - designated triplet
• CL - designates clone

A female born twin to male cannot be registered until she is proven to be a breeder by blood test, veterinarian examination, or is pregnancy checked by a veterinarian. Veterinarian's statement must accompany application for registry.

Breeder's prefix (herd name) must be kept as the first part of the animal's name.

The breeder of an animal shall be listed as the recorded owner or lessee of the dam at time of breeding.

For offspring of leased females a completed and signed U.S. Normande Breeders Organization Lease Agreement by the lessor and lessee must be submitted and on file with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization. The lessee shall be considered the breeder of any offspring conceived during the time period of the lease agreement.

Offspring of a dam registered in the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization must be registered to the owner or lessee of dam at time of calving.

Required identification shall be in the form of an ear tattoo, official RFID / EID tag, pictures or hand drawn sketches on registration application.  The tattoo can be located in one or both ears of the animal and must contain standard Arabic numbers and English Letters.  No two animals of the same sex registered by the same breeder shall be given identical tattoos EXCEPT a breeder may use the same mark and location on the same sex animal after ten years.  The required tattoo and its location shall be stated on application for registration.  In the case of animals that are solid colored a tattoo or RFID / EID tag will be required.

Applications may be rejected where, due to birth dates or other irregularities, they are deemed to be unreliable.  It is provided, however, that a request for review may be made and an offer to the person submitting the application to make corrections.

Applications shall include the following statement: "As recorded owner or authorized agent of the Dam of this animal at time of birth, (I / we) hereby certify that all information on this registration application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization shall have the privilege to correct and/or cancel this application under the Rules and Regulations of the Registry. By submitting this document, (I / we) hereby agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization."

Genetic Defects, Conditions and Abnormalities

It is known that all species including all breeds of cattle have genetic defects, conditions and abnormalities present in their DNA.  While some of these defects, conditions and abnormalities can be visually identified others can only be identified thru proper testing of DNA.  A variety of factors can affect genetic defects, conditions and abnormalities including environment (toxic plants, affected water sources, etc), infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses or fungi) or hidden genetic mutations.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization's policy regarding genetic defects, conditions and abnormalities, in the policies that follow related to those abnormalities that are pathological (disease) conditions of genetic origin. These types of abnormalities have come to be known as "genetic defects."  Genetic defects include an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal function, due to an abnormal or mutated gene.  Before designating a condition a genetic defect, it is important to give consideration to environmental and infectious causes.

These defects may result in either increased mortality, morbidity, decreased production, and/or decreased ability to market cattle.  The presence of these defects if unknown in a breed’s population is undesirable and steps need to be taken to decrease or eliminate the genetic defect.

The policy of the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization is to provide information which relates to the status of these genetic defects that are currently known or as they become known. Once these genetic defects become known information will be made available to the membership concerning the risk and the plan for the reduction of the presence of known genetic defects, abnormalities and conditions.

Animals that are either sired by or out of dams that are from descendants that are known carriers or potential carriers of genetic defects can be registered, but their registration certificates shall have the following statement printed on the registration certificate:

" * - IDENTIFIES AN ANIMAL THAT IS A CARRIER OR POTENTIAL CARRIER OF A GENETIC DEFECT, ABNORMALITY OR CONDITION."

Animal that are either sired by or out of dams that are from descendants that are known carriers or potential carriers of genetic defects that have been tested by an approved laboratory and determined to be free of the presence in their DNA shall be noted on the pedigree of the genetic defect code followed by the letter "F" for Free.

Animals that have been tested positive as a carrier will have the code followed by the letter "C" for Carrier and the animals name will include an * (asterisk) at the end of their name.

ETHICS: The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization considers it unethical to offer animals, semen or embryos from animals to be known or potential carriers of genetic defects for sale and not inform a buyer or potential buyer of the presence or potential presence of genetic defects.

ADVERTISING: The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization requires that any advertisement of animals contain information that the animal is either carriers or potential carriers of a genetic defect.

Resolving Errors in Registry

The following policy with regard to resolving registry errors has been adopted.

An email or letter is to be sent to the owner requesting that the discrepancy be checked and verification of the correct information be sent to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization.

If no response is received to the first email or letter, a second email or letter along with a phone call shall be sent stating that the situation must be rectified or, all animals in question will be expunged from the records of the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization.

Transfer of Ownership

Sale of all animals registered in the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization should be reported to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization within 30 days of sale. The fee for transfer of ownership reported within 30 days of sale shall be less than the fee for sales reported after 60 days.

Transfer of ownership shall be made on the back of the registration certificate or forms supplied by the Registry.  The seller is expected to furnish the buyer promptly with a transferred certificate giving the correct date of sale and paying the fee unless stipulated when the animal is sold that the buyer is responsible for transfer fee.  Any transfer may be cancelled by the Registry upon application by both parties or upon application of one party and due notice given to the other party.  Transfers will be cancelled only for error or where delivery of the animal was not consummated.

Registry of Herd Name / Prefix

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization shall maintain a list of reserved herd names (prefix) which may not be infringed upon.  Breeders may register their herd name (prefix) at no charge.  Members of an immediate family may, by written consent of the prefix holder, use the same herd prefix.  Principle owner of farm must be given if the animals are registered in the farm name.

Fraud or Deception

The provisions of the rules with respect to fraud and deception shall be applicable.

Fees

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization has the power to establish fees for registration, transfers, and other registry work. All fees must accompany the work to be completed by the Registry unless accounts have been previously opened, checks made payable to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization.  Credit cards are also acceptable payment for membership, registrations, transfers and other work performs by the registry.  There will be a 4% ($1 minimum) added to the fees due.

DNA Typing and Verification of Records.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization is committed to the accuracy and integrity of animals that are registered and accepted into the herdbook.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization thru the International Dairy Cattle Registry who has a contract with Neogen/Geneseek as the primary provider for DNA testing and blood typing.  The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization will also accept test results that have been conducted at other laboratories that have been approved and results accepted by other Registries, Associations and Organizations involved in the Dairy Industry.

Contact the International Dairy Cattle Registry for proper forms and instructions for DNA or blood typing work.

All animals that are required to have DNA typing must have a DNA genotype on file with the Registry. When parent verification is required, animal must be parent verified to sire and dam via DNA typing. The only exception to this is where one or both parents are deceased and there is no method for acquiring a sample for DNA typing.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization requires DNA typing and/or parent verification for the following situations:

BULLS - DNA and Blood Typing Rules

All bulls whose semen has been or will be collected for use in Artificial Insemination must be DNA typed along with his living parents that have not been blood typed.  It is also recommended that they also have a DNA Profile done. Additionally any bull used for Artificial Insemination must also be tested for Abnormalities when undesirable genetic abnormalities are a possibility.  The DNA typing and testing shall be done at the owner's expense and the results of these test must be made available to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization before use of the semen.

Bulls that are registered with other Registries and Associations have similar rules and regulations regarding the DNA and blood typing of bulls. Any bull that has been registered or previously registered with any other Registry or Association shall abide by the rules regarding the DNA and blood typing rules of that registry and make available to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization the results of such test as required.

Semen Identification of Bulls

Bulls being used for breeding by artificial insemination must have proper identification of the semen for the accuracy of information and cross-referencing to insure that offspring resulting from artificial insemination can be properly identified.

The accepted requirements for identifying each unit (straw, ampule, etc.) of semen are as follows:

1. The name and registration number of the bull.
2. NAAB (National Association of Animal Breeders) stud code of the organization freezing semen.
3. Breed Code (This is the 2 letter code for the breed)
4. Bull Code Number (the number assigned by the collecting stud)
5. In the case of semen that has been imported from other countries, many do not follow these same rules and requirements regarding the identification used on the units of semen. Many of them identify bulls by a herdbook number. When these situations arise and to make cross-referencing with the NAAB and others in the use of the semen and properly coding and identifying the bulls, bulls must be listed and registered with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization and the herdbook number must become part of the name. The fee for registering and listing foreign bulls regardless of age with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization shall be at the lowest current rate for registering animals. The entity that has processed the semen must have a stud code number that has been assigned to them by the NAAB and then assign NAAB coding that can be used for the purpose of cross-referencing.

NAAB Cross-Referencing Program

The NAAB Cross-Reference Program maintains identification information on dairy bulls which have been assigned NAAB codes.  Use of NAAB codes by dairy producers for sire identification purposes continues to be popular.  NAAB has a database which cross-references NAAB codes to official identification numbers as a service to bull owners.  Participation in this service is open to any qualified owner or lessor of bulls which have had semen collected.

The NAAB cross-reference database also maintains information on bulls which make genetic evaluations more useful.  Many cows have their sires identified by the NAAB code.  By participating in the NAAB Cross-Reference Program makes the records of these cows available for USDA genetic evaluations.  Many service sires are identified by their NAAB code when breeding data is recorded for farm management purposes.  By participating in the NAAB Cross Reference Program allows for these numbers to be converted to official identification numbers.

Enrolling a bull in the NAAB Cross-Reference Program automatically gets him listed in "Dairy Bulls in A.I. which is distributed to DHI supervisors, A.I. Sire Analysts, DRPC's, dairy producers and others inquiring about sire identity.  With a bull enrolled in the NAAB Cross-Reference Program it allows for improved identification of their offspring and greatly enhance the bull having a most complete genetic evaluation.

The NAAB Cross-Reference Program corresponds with the USDA-AIPL (Council on Dairy cattle Breeding - CDCB) genetic evaluations.

Please contact the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization for forms and more information concerning enrolling bulls in the NAAB Cross-Reference Program.

COWS - DNA and Blood Typing Rules

All females used as donor dams in an embryo transfer program must be DNA typed.  Additionally any female used as a donor must also be tested for Abnormalities when undesirable genetic abnormalities are a possibility.  The DNA typing and testing shall be done at the owner's expense and the result of these test must be made available to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization.

Donor females that are not registered with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization must have DNA type on file with the breed association that the donor is registered in or be DNA typed with the results reported to the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization.

CALVES: All offspring to be registered resulting from matings where the dam was bred to more than one sire within twenty-four days, whether by artificial insemination or natural mating will be evaluated for required sire verification by DNA typing.  Using a 10 day window on either side of the calf's date of birth for service dates and if multiple AI Dates and/or the beginning Natural Service date falls within this 10 day window, the calf must be DNA typed for sire verification.

The DNA typing and testing shall be done at the owner's expense and the results of these tests must be on file with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization before a registration certificate will be issued.

RANDOM DNA TYPING: The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization reserves the right to request that DNA typing be required should parentage be in question. This DNA typing will be at the owner’s expense.  Also on occasion the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization may AT THE REGISTRY'S EXPENSE randomly request that DNA typing be performed before a registration certificate will be issued.

EXCEPTIONS: The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization shall reserve the right to grant exception pertaining to parent verification if the sire and/or dam are deceased.

OTHER: Samples from animals that are submitted for DNA typing may be parent verified if the DNA typing records are on file for the sire and/or dam.

After an animal has been registered with the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization, and should such registration come into question for its validity, the Registry shall have the power to suspend the registration and investigate the matter.  If it is found that the animal has been registered improperly, then the animal and any offspring of said animal will be corrected or removed from the Registry.

If an animal has been accepted for registration using current method of parent verification at the time of registration, the parentage of the animal shall not be questioned in the future even though a newer method of parent verification becomes available which is more accurate.

Cell-cloned transplants

The following requirements shall apply to the registration of calves resulting from cell-cloned transplants.

Only replication cell-cloned animals shall be eligible for registration. Genetically modified animals shall not be eligible for registration.

The cell-donor animal must be DNA-marker-typed.

The breeder of the cell-donor animal must be identified as the breeder of the cell-cloned offspring.

The owner of record of the cell-donor, on the date of biopsy removal, will be identified as the first owner, unless the calf is a result of a pregnant recipient, purchased embryo, fresh or frozen, in which case the purchaser may be identified as the first owner.

DNA-marker-typing of the cell-cloned animal, or recipient dams, may be required by the Registry.

Calves conceived after death of cell-donor animals, shall be eligible for registration under the same conditions and provisions governing the eligibility of calves prior to the death of said animal.

Registration of cell-cloned transplants shall be made on a special form, provided by the U.S. Normande Breeders Organization, at the regular fee, plus an additional fee as determined by the Registry.

Registration certificates issued for cell-cloned transplants shall be so designated.

The registration number of the animal, which is being cell cloned, shall also be stated on the certificate of registration.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization shall develop forms necessary to identify the source of the nuclear DNA.

The U.S. Normande Breeders Organization shall not take any position as to the ownership rights, if any, of retained cell material. That is a separate matter to be determined by the original written agreement or reserved for discussion or negotiation between the buyer and seller.

It is to be understood that even though clones share the same genetic information, only those production and performance records of offspring that pertain to the cloned animal will be used in its own genetic evaluations.