ABOUT LEGACY

Legacy began in an effort to raise awareness among Dexter breeders of imported bulls/semen of animals bred from the English upgrade/appendix registry. The US dexter associations at no time in their history ever permitted upgrading(outcrossing). A Legacy founder discovered these upgraded bloodlines and their overwhelming presence in the US registrations. US breeders had never been advised of the upgraded/outcrossed bloodlines and the traditional foundation pure bloodlines in the US were disappearing at an alarming rate.

Breeders interested in preserving these bloodlines were required to DNA genotype their cattle and to parentage confirm their calves to maintain integrity in the preservation effort. UCD-VGL was the choice for this testing. Legacy also worked to make a DNA record of all the oldest Dexters in the US using donated funds. As the DNA database and interest in the preservation effort grew Legacy began to expand the testing and registration program to all Dexter owners.

Legacy was determined to provide the least expensive testing at the most experienced laboratory for all available tests at one location. Legacy was first to establish a genotype database registry for Dexter cattle in the western hemisphere. Legacy was first to provide all tests at one location. Legacy negotiated with A2 Corporation to bring the A2 test to American breeders via UCD-VGL, and did the same thing with the PHA test, and then polled testing and casein tests. Legacy secured contract pricing with UCD-VGL that was less than half what breeders were paying at other laboratories, and effectively forced other labs to reduce their pricing. Legacy then set out to give breeders the ability to test direct with UCD-VGL with affiliated contract pricing and worked with UCD to develop and implement Legacy's idea. Today, ALL Dexter groups are now using UCD-VGL for testing, another goal accomplished by Legacy. Legacy has focused on the best interests of the Dexter breed and it's owners achieving amazing innovative success in a short period of time. Legacy will continue to work to the interests of Dexters and their owners.

Legacy tests with the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, Davis Campus, University of California.

UC Davis developed the DNA technology for cattle and began testing in the 1950's. Over the decades they have tested all breeds of cattle and maintained samples and databases for owners, groups, and associations.

UCD-VGL enjoys a world-wide reputation for excellence. They are professional, friendly, and accessible. UCD-VGL reports DNA markers typed with microsatellite technology. They routinely test and report on 16 markers, more than any other cattle testing laboratory. The ISAG names and requires that 11 markers be reported by all laboratories. The additional 5 markers used by UCD-VGL are markers from the cattle genome determined to be the most unique which offers more options to qualify animals for parentage.

A legacy participant should use the Services Application. Complete the application by providing required information for the test and/or registration. Upon completion the services application is automatically sent to the Legacy registrar where the information is entered into the UC-Davis database. Completed test forms are generated and emailed to you in PDF format. If you have not received a reply to your request within 24 hours of submitting your Services Application please email inquiry to . Once you receive the test forms download the file and print the forms, attach the hair sample, mail to the UCD- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory address on the form.

When the test(s) are completed the results are emailed and reported in PDF format. Download the test results and if desired save an electronic copy and/or print a hard copy for your records. If the completed test is a DNA genotype the tested Dexter is automatically recorded in the Legacy genotype database registry. The registration number is entered in the Legacy Dexter Cattle Registry and published in the online pedigree and an electronic copy of the registration certificate is emailed in PDF format to the owner of the tested Dexter. Hard copies are mailed at the end of each month to participants. Payment for tests may be made by check or by Paypal. Paypal payments are made to:

For Legacy testing or registration services use the Services Application.

ALL TESTS ARE PERFORMED ON HAIRS FROM YOUR COW'S TAIL SWITCH. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PULL THE HAIRS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT YOU GET THE ROOTS/FOLLICLES ATTACHED. THE DNA IS EXTRACTED FROM THE FOLLICLES. THE BEST METHOD TO ASSURE YOU HAVE GOOD ROOTS ON THE SAMPLE IS TO GATHER THE TAIL SWITCH IN ONE HAND AND A SMALL CLUMP OF HAIR IN THE OTHER AND JERK UPWARDS TO PULL OUT THE HAIRS. YOUR HANDS SHOULD BE CLEAN OR GLOVED AND THE TAIL SWITCH SHOULD BE AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE. ONCE THE HAIRS HAVE BEEN PULLED PLACE THEM IN AN ENVELOPE IMMEDIATELY SO THEY DO NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH DIRT OR MANURE OR OTHER CONTAMINANT. BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS THAT THE ROOTS DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING THAT COULD CONTAMINATE THE SAMPLE.

For questions or further information email: