Passed in 1994, this exciting award series is now programmed into the new ROSS system. These awards will identify and recognize individual animals for their genetic superiority through participation in ADGA's performance programs, DHI production testing, Linear Appraisal type evaluation, and in addition, competition in the show ring.

The award is for both bucks and does and is based on being in the top 15% of their breed according to the Production/Type Index (PTI) ranking, the PTI favoring production (PTI 2:1) or the PTI favoring type (PTI 1:2) at least once during the life of the animal.

A special designation to be known as the “Superior Genetics” award will be awarded for the PTI qualifying animals and will appear with the abbreviation of “SG” on registration papers, production pedigrees and any other such place the ADGA system currently prints the permanent show champion award of “CH”.

A different designation will appear should an animal receiving the “SG” award already be a permanent show champion and entitled to the “CH” award under the existing ADGA award system. This same designation will be applied if the “SG” is earned and the “CH” is earned at a later date.

The genetic award designation will be stored permanently by year in the ADGA data base in the same manner as “CH” and “GCH” designations are currently stored.

Typical scenarios for does receiving the award designations follow. Note that if the animals described below are bucks, then it will be his daughters and sons which earn the AR record and qualify him for the data necessary for PTI’s.

• 1.   
• A. An animal receives a “CH” award for permanent show champion status.



• B. The animal is later enrolled on DHIR test or has daughters enrolled and receives an AR star or plus, thereby qualifying for “GCH” status.



• C. The animal is appraised and a subsequent USDA genetic summary finds that it is in the top 15% for its breed for at least one of the two PTI’s, thereby qualifying it for “SG + Champion” status.



• 2.    Should the animal in example 1 never go beyond step A, it would retain the “CH” award permanently, as in the current system.



• 3.    Should the animal in example 1 never go beyond step B, it would retain the “GCH” award permanently, as in the current system.



• 4.    Should the animal in example 1 receive a star in step B from a one day milking competition (ST program) or on the basis of progeny (ST program), rather than from official production testing (AR program), that animal would still qualify as it does currently for “GCH” status, but not qualify for “SG + Champion” status unless it were also enrolled on official DHI test and be determined by USDA genetic summary to be in the top 15% of PTI’s for its breed.



• 5.   
• A. An animal is not shown but is enrolled on DHIR and has been appraised. A subsequent USDA genetic summary places the animal PTI in the top 15% of its breed, qualifying for “SG” status.



• B. The animal is later shown and receives permanent champion status, qualifying it for the “SG + Champion” designation.



• 6.    Should the animal in example 5 never go beyond step A, it would retain the “SG” award permanently.
  
  

The PTI indexes are updated twice yearly, once after the genetic yield evaluation from DHI records, and once after the genetic type evaluation from Linear Appraisal records. New animals earning this recognition will have owners notified after the indexes are updated. Notification of this initial “sweep” of animals currently in the top 15% PTI and owned by current members will take place through electronic and hard copy methods. Revisions of certificates and/or Superior Genetics Certificates on this group of animals, if desired, would be at current fees for revisions and certificates per Board directive of this not being a retroactive program. We do expect Board and committee activity regarding the implementation of various aspects to this award designation for 2006. If you have further questions please contact Lisa Shepard at the ADGA office or performanceprograms@adga.org