Horns will now be listed as a genetic condition in the Angus breed and monitored by the society after the board resolved to make the change recently.
Angus cattle are expected to be homozygous polled, meaning animals should be both visually polled and carry two copies of the polled allele.
But recent DNA testing found a small percentage of Angus seedstock animals are carrying the horned allele.
Horns will now be listed as a genetic condition monitored by the society which also includes Alpha Mannosidosis (MA), Dwarfism (DW), Oculocutaneous Hypopigmentation (OH) and Osteopetrosis (OS).
The same strategy will be adopted for the managing the horned allele as is currently adopted by Angus Australia for managing other genetic conditions with low frequency and relatively low economic impact.
This will mean members will be able to access DNA tests to identify an animal's horn/poll status and the results will be displayed on the Angus Database Search along with other Angus Australia publications (e.g. registration certificates, catalogues).
Another requirement is that all AI sires born after January 1 2018 will need to be DNA tested for the presence of the horned allelle.
"The conduct of a gene probability analysis is not deemed necessary at this stage," a society bulletin said.
For further information or to discuss the inclusion of horns in the list of genetic conditions monitored by Angus Australia, contact Andrew Byrne, Breed Development and Extension Manager, on (02) 6773 4618 or andrew@angusaustralia.com.au