Simmental
& SimGenetics Cattle
Data Driven.
Member Focused.

Join us August 28–31 at ASA Headquarters in Bozeman, Montana, for this year’s event. Fall Focus offers valuable opportunities to connect with fellow breeders and learn about what's happening at ASA.

For full event details and to register, visit fallfocus.org

We are pleased to inform you of upcoming updates to ASA’s DNA testing options and pricing, effective May 4, 2026. Due to reduced costs from ASA’s testing laboratory, pricing for the high density genomic panel (GGP-100K) and add-on traits have been lowered, and those savings will be passed on to ASA membership. Note that any orders placed or samples submitted before May 4 will follow the previous pricing structure. As a reminder, all herd sires born on or after January 1, 2025 must have the GGP-100K on file in order to register progeny.

Specific price adjustments, effective May 4 are as follows:

• GGP-100K- $45 ($5 reduction)
• Add-on Diluter - $2 ($1 reduction)
• Add-on Coat Color - $2 ($7 reduction)
• Add-on Red Charlie - $8 ($11 reduction)
• Add-on Horned/polled - $2 ($20 reduction)
• Add-on OH - $9 ($7 reduction)
• Genetic Conditions Panel - $5 ($24 reduction)

As part of these updates, the ultra-low density genomic panel (GGP-9K) will be discontinued effective May 4, 2026, and will no longer be available for order after that date.

If you have questions regarding testing options or these pricing changes, please contact the ASA DNA Services team at dna@simmgene.com.

Update April 4, 2026

What the Docility Evaluation Updates Mean for You

Docility isn’t just about convenience. From reducing risk in the chute to improving handling efficiency, docility plays a bigger role in operations than ever before. As part of an ongoing series of updates to the genetic evaluation, updates to the Docility evaluation will be implemented into production beginning the week of April 13, 2026.

Click here to read more

ASA Releases Heifer Pregnancy EPD in Research Release Format

Update March 13, 2026

Replacement heifer development represents a significant financial investment in a cow-calf operation. A heifer that fails to conceive during their first breeding season is a significant economic investment that returns substantially less value to the operation compared to a productive female. Improving fertility in replacement females is therefore one of the most effective ways to improve long-term herd profitability. Expected progeny differences (EPD) for heifer pregnancy (HP) have been released by the American Simmental Association (ASA) in a research release format. This EPD is designed to help producers select sires whose daughters are more likely to conceive during their first breeding season as heifers.

Click to read the full update.

Mature Weight and Cow Energy Requirement EPD Released in Research Format

Update February 13, 2026

Two New Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) to Better Assess Cow Productivity and Efficiency

The release of mature weight (MW) and cow energy requirements (CER) EPD provides breeders with powerful new tools to better manage cow size, efficiency, and long-term profitability. While selection for increased growth has driven progress in weaning and yearling weights, it has also contributed to rising mature cow weights over time. These new EPD allow producers to maintain performance where it pays, while intentionally aligning mature size and feed requirements with their environment and resources. Used together, MW and CER EPD offer a more complete picture of cow productivity and efficiency, helping breeders make balanced, economically informed selection decisions that support progress across the cattle industry.

Click to read the full update.

Find us on YouTube