I. Recordation and Records 

The Board of Directors of the American Beefalo Association (ABA) shall maintain and preserve, or cause to be done, in the ABA office a Beefalo Herd Book in which all records of pedigrees, identification, sex, date of birth, owner, and such performance data submitted on all Beefalo animals offered for recording will be kept. 

A. Records 

1. The American Beefalo Association shall maintain a complete and accurate record system and update these records on a regular basis. The ABA shall provide membership applications, registration applications, membership certificates, registration certificates, and such other forms as may be necessary. 

2. The ABA shall assign a herd/membership number to each new member. That number shall be on all documents relating to the member’s file. 

3. Certificates of registration shall be issued in the name given on the membership application. 

4. The ABA shall keep permanent records containing registration numbers, tattoos, birth dates, sire, dam, owner, breeder, and herd numbers for all Fullblood, Ancestry, Percentage, and Meat Animals submitted to the ABA for registration. Performance data should be maintained on all animals. 

5. All transfers of ownership shall be recorded by the ABA. 

6. Definitions of Beefalo Animals 

a. Fullblood Beefalo – an animal that is, by breeding, specifically 37.5% (3/8) Bison and 62.5% (5/8) Bovine. The bovine content may be of any breed of cattle or any combination of breeds. An animal containing not more or less than 3/8 Bison and not more or less than 5/8 bovine may be registered as a Fullblood Beefalo. 

b. Ancestry Animals – ancestry animals are the ABA genetic pool from which new lines of Beefalo are derived. Ancestry animals have any percentage bison content, by breeding, that is either more than 37.5% or less than 17% 

c. Percentage Beefalo Animals – Bison percentage animals are those animals used for breeding stock having bison percentages, by breeding, of at least 17% and below 37.5% 

d. Beefalo Meat Animals – An animal that is, by breeding, a 17% Bison through 37.5% Bison may qualify as an ABA Beefalo Meat Animal. These percentages meet the USDA requirements to be labeled as “Beefalo Beef”. 

e. Grandfathered Definitions – Animals registered in the American Beefalo Association, The International Beefalo Federation, American Beefalo International, or American Beefalo World Registry prior to the effective date of these Rules of Registry are grandfathered in the definitions used by those associations. 

f. Purebred Beefalo – an animal that is, by breeding, not less than 34% Bison up to 37.4999% Bison. The bovine content may be of any breed of cattle or any combination of breeds. 

7. Animals produced through embryo transplant must have a blood type of DNA type for both the sire and donor dam on file with the ABA, and said animal must be blood typed or DNA typed to the sire and the dam before such animals can be registered. 

8. Before any progeny resulting from AI service from any registered mail may be registered, that male must be blood typed and typed for Bison Markers by an ABA approved serology laboratory. 

B. Registration Information 

1. Registration may be applied for by a Lifetime, Annual, or Junior Member. Associate members and non-members may also apply for registration but will be charged twice the member fee. 

2. Applications for registration should be filled in fully and completely. General instructions are given on the back of the application. The following terms concerning registration are defined for your convenience. 

A. Birth Weight – should be recorded within seventy-two (72) hours after birth. Birth weight may be estimated and should be reported as estimated on the application. 

B. Calving Ease – Codes to list calving ease are listed on the back of the application form. 

C. Management Code – indicates the type of feeding program the animal was on. Codes are listed on the back of the registration application. 

D. Weaning Weight and Date Weighed – Weaning weights should be actual, but taped and estimated weights will be accepted. If the weights are other than actual, it must be so designated on the application. These weights should be taken as close to 205 days of age as possible. They should in no event be taken earlier than 160 days or later than 250 days of age. 

E. Yearling Weight and Date Weighed – Bulls should have yearling weight and date weighed (and it is encouraged on females). Weights may be taped or estimated, but it must be so designated on the application. Weights should be take as close to 365 days as possible. Forty (40) days plus or minus will be permitted. 

F. Contemporaries – The animals will be grouped as contemporaries. This grouping will allow animals to be compared to their “peers” under near identical conditions. The definition of a contemporary group is same owner, same Herd Prefix, same sex, born in ninety (90) day time span, same percentage Beefalo, same weaning date, same management code. 

G. Age of Dam Factor – The age of the dam is calculated in whole years based on the birth year entered. The birth year of the dam is needed when calculating the performance data of a contemporary group. The adjustment factor used is based on the years of age from the following table and is used in calculating the adjusted weaning weight of the calf. 

AGE OF DAM

1-2 Years

3 Years

4 Years 

5-10 Years

11 + Years

H. Formula – All weaning weights are adjusted to 205 days by using the following formula. 

i. Actual Weaning Weight minus birth weight 

Age in days at weaning = Gain per day 

ii. Gain per day X 205 plus Birth Weight = 205 Day Weight 

iii. 205 Day Weight X age of dam factor = adjusted 205 day weight 

iv. The gain per day, actual weight, days of age at weaning/weighing and the 205 day adjusted weight are permanently recorded for each animal. 

v. Adjusted Yearling Weight – all yearling weights are adjusted to 365 days by sing the following formula. 

vi. Actual year weight – actual weaning weight 

Number of days between weights = Gain per day 

vii. Gain per day X 160 plus 205 adjusted weight = 35 day adjusted weight 

I. Group averages – Group averages are calculated as the numeric average of the adjusted group weights of all the animals within a given contemporary group. This is done in both weaning and yearling calculations. Note that a given animal may be classed in different contemporary groups between weaning and yearling because of different feeding programs. 

J. Performance Ratios – The performance ratio is the individual animal’s adjusted weight compared to the group average and expressed as a percent. 

3. Name – The name of the animal shall be limited to 30 spaces. The herd prefix of farm name shall be included in the name. 

4. Tattoo – Animals must be tattooed by the first owner. 

5. First Owner – The first owner is the owner of the dam on the date of birth of the calf. 

6. Breeder – The breeder is the owner of the dam on the date of service. 

7. Breeder’s Certificate – A Breeder’s Certificate is required if the breeder transfers the dam before the calf is dropped and has not reported on the transfer the name and number of the service bull, date bred, or “pasture” if applicable. Breeder’s statements must be signed if artificial insemination was used or if breeder is different from applicant/owner. 

8. Multiple Birth – When an animal is a calf of multiple birth, it must be so stated on the application and the sex of the other calf or calves must be given. No subsequent application for registration of the other calf or calves will otherwise be accepted. A female from a multi-sex birth shall require a veterinarian’s certificate as to the fertility of the animal or proof by registration of progeny. 

9. Multiple Sire Breeding – In order for progeny from multiple sire breeding to be eligible for registration, a DNA type for each possible sire must be on file with the ABA and the candidate for registration must be DNA typed for parent verification. 

10. If the animal to be registered has been sold, the transfer section of the application(s) must be completed and the transfer fee added to the registration fee. 

C. Transfer 

1. Every transfer of registration of an animal used for breeding purpose must be recorded by official transfer of records of the ABA. If a previously registered animal is to be transferred through ABA, it must first be recorded by ABA. This can be done at the time of transfer by adding the recording fee to the transfer fee. 

2. The ABA does not guarantee all animals sold as breeding stock and transferred by the ABA to be fertile. 

3. It shall be the duty of the seller to apply for the transfer and to pay for the transfer fee, unless otherwise specifically agreed between the seller and buyer. Calves under the age of seven (7) months sold with dam are excepted, but a breeder’s certificate for the calf must be filed with the ABA at the time of transfer. 

4. An animal registered in the ABA registry may be transferred at the time of registration or by using the original registration certificate. 

a. If the animal is being registered and transferred at the same time, the transfer section of the application must be completed in full and sent to the ABA office. Date of sale shall be considered to be date of transfer for purposes of recording and must be reported on the transfer application. 

b. If the animal being transferred is already registered, the transfer section on the back of the registration certificate must be completed in full and sent to the ABA office. 

5. If the animal to be transferred is a female, it must be reported whether or not she has been served prior to the date of sale. If artificially serviced, the Breeder must report the date of artificial service and the name and number of the service bull. If pasture bred, and the exact date of service is not known, the word “pasture” may be indicated instead of a date. 

6. A transfer of registration entered on an application for registration or on a certificate of registration in the records of the ABA shall not be considered as the conveyance of legal title. 

7. Erroneous Entries – Should the President or other office of the ABA obtain or receive knowledge or information to the effect that any registration or transfer of any animal has been made in violation of the rules of registration and transfer of the ABA, such information shall be forthwith furnished to the Board of Directors. In case any complaint is made to the Board of Directors or any information reaches the Board of Directors from any authentic source, that any animal has been erroneously or irregularly registered or transferred upon the records of the ABA, the Board of Directors shall forthwith cause diligent inquiry to be made into the truth of such complaint and if upon inquiry the Board has reasonable belief that said complaint is well founded, it will notify the owner of such animal, and after giving owner reasonable time and opportunity to prepare his answer to the complaint, the Board shall have the power to strike such registry or transfer from the records of ABA. Any member of ABA, or owner of American Beefalo Cattle, shall have the right to appeal to the ABA at any regular of annual meeting concerning the decision of the Board of Directors as to the eligibility under the rules of any pedigree submitted for entry, first giving the said Board notice of his intention with the President at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of said meeting. The ABA shall decide as to the eligibility of said pedigree to entry, under the rules, by majority vote of the members present, and such action shall be final. 

8. In the case of a lost certificate of registration, the owner of record may request that a duplicate he issued for the standard duplicate fee. This certificate will state that it is a “duplicate” and note the date issued. The duplicate will be the only valid registration certificate to use for transfer of this animal. 

D. Requirements for Proper Animal Tattooing 

All animals except Meat Animals to be registered by ABA must be ear tattooed. The tattoo identification submitted to ABA on the registration application may be in either or both ears. Green tattoo ink is recommended. The first owner shall tattoo the animal. The tattoo shall consist of: 

1. Herd Prefix – Up to (and preferably) four (4) standard letters to designate the individual herd. This remains the same in each animal in the herd. Application for Herd Prefix should be through the ABA office. 

2. Animal Identification – Up to four (4) standard letters and/or numbers. Animal identification will be different in each calf. It is required that the last character of the animal identification be the international year letter. 

1969 beginning with A

1991 – A  1992 – B 1993 – C 1994 – D 

1995 – E 1996 – F 1997 – G 1998 – H 

1999 – J 2000 – K 2001 – L 2002 – M 

2003 – N 2004 – P 2005 – R 2006 – S 

2007 – T 2008 – U 2009 – V 2010 – W 

2011 – Y 2012 – Z 2013 – A 2014 – B 

2015 - C

The letters I, O, Q, and X will not be used. 

3. An owner may use other numbers of letters in the ear to facilitate private herd management or vaccination information, however, these numbers should appear above or below the required ABA tattoo or in the other ear. 

4. When submitting applications for registration, it is not necessary to report all the numbers and letters in the ear(s). it is only necessary to submit the ABA required tattoo. 

E. Administration 

1. Amendment of Rules of Registration 

2. Only the Board of Directors may initiate rules amendments. These amendments must be approved by 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors. 

3. Proposed amendments to the Rules of Registry must be given to all Board members at least 30 days prior to being voted on by the Board. Proposed amendments approved by the Board must include the date the amendment will go into effect. 

4. The Membership must be notified of any proposed amendment to the Rules of Registry approved by the Board of Directors prior to the amendment going into effect. 

5. Any rules amendments must be submitted at the next regular annual general membership meeting for approval of the membership, or may be submitted to the membership by a mail ballot . A simple majority is required for approval. 

6. The ABA will send each member an annual herd inventory report in the first quarter of each year. Each member will make necessary changes to make the report current and return the report to ABA. 

F. Registration Review 

Any animal not meeting the registration requirements of ABA shall be submitted to the Registration Review Committee of the Board of Directors. The animal may not be accepted for registration unless approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. 

II. Registries 

Beefalo Herd Registry – performance data should be supplied on all animals – birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight. 

All available data must be submitted on the application form. Data obtained subsequent to registration should be submitted to the ABA office for inclusion in the record of the animal. If the owner wishes to have a new certificate with the additional data, it can be obtained for the duplicate certificate fee. Estimated and taped weights are allowed, but are not encouraged and will be so designated on the certificate. 

1. Fullblood Beefalo Animals 

a. All nominees for registry shall be submitted on a completed application as approved by the ABA Board of Directors and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. 

b. All nominees for registry shall be DNA typed for parent verification by an ABA approved laboratory. 

c. Registration certificates will reflect the percentage/fraction bison of the registered animal and bison markers if detected. 

d. The owner of a first generation nominee for entry into the Fullblood Registry must provide accurate evidence as to the Bison Hybrid of the nominee in question, to include: 

i. A complete background on the sire and dam of the nominee submitted to include identification by tattoos. 

ii. Documented information confirming breeding dates, breeding certificates, percentage bison, and percentage bovine of sire and dam, bloodtype on record from approved laboratory which includes test for bison markers and parentage verification. 

e. A second or high generation nominee for entry into the Fullblood registry must be the offspring of two Fullbloods registered/recorded in the ABA Herd Book. The owner of a second or higher generation nominee for entry into the Fullblood Registry must provide accurate evidence as to the Bison Hybrid of the nominee in question to include: 

i. Documented information concerning breeding dates, breeding certificates, and AI certificates. 

ii. Bloodtype on record from approved serology laboratory including test for bison markers and parent verification. 

2. Percentage Beefalo with percentage of Bison less than 37.5% 

a. All nominees for registry shall be submitted on a completed application as approved by the ABA Board of Directors and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. 

b. Registration certificates will reflect the percentage/fraction bison on the registered animal and bison markers if detected. 

c. Sire and/or Dam must be registered or recorded in the ABA including the bison percentage for each. If one parent is a non-beefalo, it need not be registered or recorded, but the application must indicated that it is a non-beefalo and provide the bovine breed information if known. 

3. Ancestry Animals

The American Beefalo Association shall record Bison and Bison/Bison cross animals of any Bison percentage which may, in future breeding programs, be used to produce Fullblood or Percentage Beefalo. Each Bison/Bison cross animal entered will be recorded showing the percentage/fraction Bison and percentage/fraction Bovine (if applicable), and issued a certificate PROVIDED: 

a. All applications for entry of Bison/Bison Cross cattle are made on forms furnished by ABA and all other rules and requirements which govern registration procedure concerning the accuracy of information submitted are met. 

b. All nominees to be recorded must be bloodtyped for parent verification to the parent(s) containing Bison, and be bloodtyped for Bison specific markers by an ABA approved serology laboratory. 

Example: 

• If sire is only parent who contains bison, then sire must qualify as sire of the nominee. 
• If dam is the only parent who contains bison, then dam must qualify as dam of the nominee. 
• If sire and dam both contain bison, then the nominees must qualify as progeny of both parents. 

c. Breeder statement must be signed by the breeder. 

d. In the event that parent verification by bloodtyping is not possible, application will be made to the Board of Directors for consideration on a case-by-case basis. 

e. The progeny of this registry or the progeny from the combination of males or females from the Herd Book will be accepted as ABA fullbloods provided: 

1. The nominee contains not more or less than 3/8 American Bison or more or less than 5/8 Bovine. 

2. The applicant meets all requirements in II. A. 1. Above. 

4. Beefalo Meat Registry 

a. The ABA shall maintain a Beefalo Meat Registry. To be eligible for registration animals must meet both of the following requirements. 

i. The nominee is eligible for registration by having 17% or more Bison, but not more than 37.5% Bison. 

ii. The nominee’s parents (parent) are registered in the ABA Herd Book. 

b. Application for registration must be submitted on forms provided by the ABA and all fees for registration must accompany the request for registration. 

c. The owner agrees by making application that he/she will furnish blood samples from parents of animals submitted for registration if requested to do so by either the ABA or USDA. 

d. The owner will furnish multi-part registration forms and ear tags that meet the requirements of the USDA for all animals registered with the ABA Meat Registry. 

e. Animals may be transferred from the Meat Registry to the Breed Registry provided the original Meat Registry certificate is returned, a Herd Book application is submitted, and the difference in fee is paid. Animals may be transferred from the Herd Book to the Meat Registry upon submission of the Meat Registry application with Herd Book Registry number. No additional fee will be required. 

5. Purebred Beefalo Registry 

a. All nominees for registry shall be submitted on a completed application as approved by the ABA Board of Directors and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. 

b. Nominees for registry as Purebred Beefalo must meet the definition of Purebred Beefalo. 

c. Registration certificates will reflect the percentage/fraction bison on the registered animal and bison markers if detected. 

d. Sire and/or Dam must be registered or recorded in the ABA including the bison percentage for each. If one parent is a non-beefalo, it need not be registered or recorded, but the application must indicate that it is a non-beefalo and provide the bovine breed information if known. 

Amendment 1 – 04/01/00 Both males and females of 15/16 Beefalo (93.75%) or higher, up to Fullblood (100%) Beefalo will be registered as PUREBRED Beefalo. 

For example: 

• 15/16 Beefalo is 45/128 Bison. Stated in percentage: 93.75% Beefalo is 35.15625% Bison 
• 31/32 Beefalo is 93/256 Bison. Stated in percentage: 96.87% Beefalo is 36.328125% Bison. 

Amendment 2 - 04/01/01 Under E. Administration Item 6 requiring an annual herd inventory report will be eliminated. 

Amendement 3 – 04/01/01 

Laboratory testing that is available and approved by the ABA will be used for typing, parent verification, and bison marker determination. References to blood typing and serology laboratory will be superseded. 

Amendement 4 – 08/03/2012 

Purebred Beefalo definition changed from 35.15625% Bison to 34% Bison – definition of Purebred Beefalo added to section ____________ 

Added Purebred Registry section ________ to define the process and requirements. 

Amendment 5 – Changed Bloodtype to DNA Verification 

Amendment 6 – Reinstated I (E) 6. 

Amendment 7 – Added “A simple majority is required for approval.” To section I (E) 5 regarding approval of the membership for rules of registry amendments.