Converting From Percentages Back to Fraction

Converting from Percentages back to Fraction Classifications

by Dr. Rob Sheets & Ken Culp III, Ph.D ACA Board of Directors

Editor’s Note: The purpose of this article is to share information with the membership on the options of converting back to fraction classifications rather than percentages. The ACA board has discussed this information at numerous meetings and it was decided that the information should be shared with the membership in order to gauge interest. A survey will be sent to the membership, allowing you to share your opinions on this topic and all survey results will be reviewed before any decision is made.

How did we get here?

• Beginning with its inception in 1972, the ACA registered cattle using fractions. • Chiangus were created in 1976. • Chiford, Red Chiangus, and Chimaine were created in 1986. • Chimaine was replaced with Chianina in 2018. • At the March 12, 1999 meeting, the ACA Board of Directors met with CEO Terry Atchison, their CPA, attorney, and computer programmer. • The purpose of this meeting was to bring the three governing documents into alignment • Articles of Incorporation (must be approved by the Association membership) • Bylaws of the Association (must be approved by the Association membership) • Rules of Registration (must be approved by the ACA Board) • The Programmer recommended that the ACA convert from fractions to percentages. • The Board of Directors put the decisions to align the three documents to a vote of the membership. • Originally, the ACA registered cattle by fractions. • Quarter-bloods were the minimum fraction registered, but “Purebreds” were not registered as 8/8 or 16/16 (100%) as other associations had done. • The popularity of a single sire, BC Total Power 2CA, forced a change in the Rules of Registration. • Total Power was widely accepted as a sire, by Chiangus & Chianina breeders, and club calf producers. • Sired by BC Black Power 2CA (half-blood=50%) out of BC Ms Chi 1919-5571 1CA (7/16=43.75%); Total Power was 15/32=46.88%

• However, because the ACA did not round fractions, his progeny (out of

Commercial or cows of other breeds) were 15/64 (1/64 below quarter-bloods) and were ineligible to be registered. • Therefore, the ACA Board of Directors lowered the minimum fraction to 1/8. • Later, the Rules of Registration were changed, requiring only one parent be registered in order to qualify calves for registration. • The Result: Chianina (versus Chiangus) breeders quit registering their replacements, because only 1 parent needed to be registered. • The Result: Percentages plummeted. • Finally, another ACA Board established the minimum percentage requirement to be 6.25% (1/16 blood) in order to show in national shows in order to stop the dilution of the amount of Chianina blood.

Meanwhile…

• Every other Continental breed association continued to register cattle by fraction classifications with 7/8 give “Purebred” (8/8) status (100% i.e. rounded up from 87.5% each purebred generation). • Additionally, virtually every other Continental breed association “rounded up”. • i.e. When mating a “Purebred” (7/8ish) to a 3/4, the progeny is “rounded up” to a Purebred (7/8) and given 100% breeding value (BV). Thus, given 8/8 factor with 100% digital value (DV). • i.e. The resulting progeny (sired by a 7/8ish out of a 3/4) are considered “Purebred” when, in fact, they are 13/16…which is 81.25%…and that is considering that ALL of their ancestors were fullbloods! • i.e. If the resulting progeny was sired by four generations that originated with an American Purebred… • “Purebred” (7/8 or 87.5%) x Angus = “Half Blood” (43.75%) • 7/8 x “Half Blood” = “3/4 Blood” (65.84%) • 7/8 x “3/4 Blood” = “Purebred” 76.67%) • This is a loss of 23.33% of Continental blood, simply by “breeding up” one cycle. • By using NO Fullblood Continental sires and using only “American Purebred” sires for 24 or more upbreeding generations will make cattle of any original Continental Fullblood breed to have between 30% to 40% “Fullblood DNA” in the “American Purebred” of that breed. • The other Continental associations did nothing wrong, but they gained a “HUGE” perception advantage by “Classifying” their

“American Purebreds” as 100% Digital Value (DV) and 8/8 Breeding Value (BV) which is now “industry standard.”

The Result…

• Meanwhile…The ACA continues to register cattle using a method that makes us the laughing stock of the industry. We continue to lose credibility and marketing potential every time we register a calf using percentages. • The industry points at ACA registrations and makes remarks such as “anytime a bull walks by a pasture full of cows, their calves can be registered as Chianina.” • “You don’t have to have much (or any) Chi blood to register a calf.” • In reality, our pedigrees are ACCURATE, because the percentages are true representatives of the animals’ ACTUAL Italian Fullblood genetic makeup. • But, the industry only recognizes Chianina as “low percentage cattle” versus recognizing the other Continental breeds as Purebreds, 3/4, 5/8, 1/2, 3/8, 1/4…even though their actual percentage of their Fullblood ancestors is very small. It’s all about perception.

If Only…

• BC Total Power 2CA was rounded up to a half-blood (had previous ACA Purebreds been given 100% “Digital Breeding Value” • 15/32 = 46.88% • Sired by BC Black Power 2CA (half-blood=50%) • Out of BC Ms Chi 1919-5571 1CA (7/16=43.75%)

We have an opportunity to align the ACA with current industry standards –

• Past Boards made decisions based on the best information that was available to them at the time. • Unfortunately, their advisors did not have the benefit of hind-sight. • The first objective of the 2020 ACA Long Range Plan is “Improve the perception and expand the acceptance of Chianina in the cattle industry by promoting Chianina to commercial cattlemen.” • Converting to fraction classifications will do more to improve the perception and expand the acceptance of Chianina cattle that anything else that our association can do. • Converting to fraction classifications will benefit virtually every objective of the 2020 ACA Long Range Plan. • Converting to fraction classifications will more closely align us with the Rules of Registration of nearly every other

Continental breed association in the USA.

To Classify current & future ACA cattle Note:

DV=Digital Value (Used for computer programming) BV=Breeding value (Used by breeders AND cattle industry to classify cattle) Chi designates composite breed ACA cattle versus American Chianina ACA Cattle (later this is illustrated).

Purebred – DV=100 • BV=8/8for ACA Chi, Chiangus & Chiford

• Minimum 12.5% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of three generations of registered ACA cattle (either 2 on top & 1 on bottom of the pedigree or vise versa). • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged.

3/4 Classification – DV=75 • BV=3/4for ACA Chi, Chiangus & Chiford

• Minimum 12.5% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of two generations of registered ACA cattle (minimum of 1 on top & minimum of 1 on bottom of the pedigree) • Any classification x 1CA, 1CA x any classification • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged.

• Minimum 12.5% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of two generations of registered ACA cattle (minimum of 1 on top & minimum of 1 on bottom of the pedigree) • 5/8 results only from crossing a 3/4 and a half-blood. • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged.

1/2 Classification – DV=50 • BV=1/2for ACA Chi, Chiangus & Chiford

• Minimum 12.5% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of one generation of registered ACA cattle (minimum of 1 on top or 1 on bottom of the pedigree, or {such as} 1CA, 2CA or PCA x anything or anything x 1CA, 2CA or PCA) • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged.

3/8 Classification – DV=37.5 • BV=3/8for ACA Chi, Chiangus & Chiford

• Minimum of 9.375% to 12.49% current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of one generation of registered ACA cattle (minimum of 1 on top or 1 on bottom of the pedigree, or {such as} 1CA, 2CA or PCA x anything or anything x 1CA, 2CA or PCA) • 5/8 results only from crossing a 3/4 and a half-blood. • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged.

1/4 Classification – DV=25 • BV=1/4for ACA Chi, Chiangus & Chiford

• Minimum of 6.25% to 9.374% current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of one generation of registered ACA cattle (minimum of 1 on top or 1 on bottom of the pedigree, or {such as} 1CA, 2CA or PCA x anything or anything x 1CA, 2CA or PCA) • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged. • This is the minimum level to qualify for ACA National & most Regional Shows. Follows present guidelines.

1/8 Classification – DV=12.5 • BV=1/8for ACA Chi, Chiangus & Chiford

• Less than 6.25% (<6.249%) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics. • A registration certificate will be issued, designating them as Chi, CA or CF • Eligible for Chi Composite and AOB shows only • Qualifications for Chi, Chiangus & Chiford remain unchanged.

Foundation Cattle – BV=0%

• All other breeds and Commercial cattle shall receive a computer number only with zero breeding value in the ACA Herdbook.

• 100% actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Every generation is registered Italian Fullblood

Purebred Classification – DV=100 • BV=8/8for american Chianina

• Minimum of 87.5% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Round up from 81.25% Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of four generations of registered American Chianina cattle or Italian Fullblood combinations • Minimum of 2 generations of Purebreds on the top AND 2 generations of Purebreds on the bottom of the pedigree, or IFB x 2 generations of Purebreds or 2 generations of Purebreds x IFB.

3/4 Classification – DV=75 • BV=3/4for American Chianina

• Minimum of 75% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics. • Round up from 68.75% Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of three generations of registered American Chianina cattle or IFB combination. • Minimum of 2 generations on the top AND minimum of 1 generation on the bottom of the pedigree, or vice versa.

5/8 Classification – DV=62.5 • BV=5/8 for American Chianina

• Minimum of 62.5% (or greater up to 68.75%) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics. • Round up from 56.25% Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of two generations of registered ACA cattle • Minimum of 1generation on the top or the bottom and an IFB or American Purebred on the other side of the pedigree or a combination of two percentages (3/4 x 1/2).

1/2 Classification – DV=50 • BV=1/2 for American Chianina

• Minimum of 50% (or greater) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics. • Round up from 43.75% Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of one generation of registered ACA cattle. • 1 generation of IFB or Purebred on top or 1 IFB or Purebred on bottom of the pedigree, or combinations of American Chianina cattle fractions that add up to a half blood (1/2 x 1/2 or 3/4 x 1/4).

3/8 Classification – DV=37.5 • BV=3/8 for American Chianina

• Minimum of 37.5% (or greater up to 49.9%) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics. • Round up from 31.25% Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of one generation of registered ACA cattle.

• Minimum of 25% (or greater up to 37.49%) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics. • Round up from 18.75% Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of one generation of registered ACA cattle. • Minimum of 1 generation on the top or 1 generation on the bottom of the pedigree.

1/8 Classification – DV=12.5 • BV=1/8for American Chianina

• Minimum of 12.5% (or greater up to 24.99%) current actual Italian Fullblood genetics • Minimum of 1 generation of registered ACA cattle.

In Summary –

• Through most of its history, the ACA has registered cattle by fractions. • Going back to fraction classifications would align us with every other Continental breed registering cattle in the USA. • Fraction Classifications are understandable by “lay people” and are the “industry standards.” • Exhibiting cattle registered by fraction classifications (quarter-bloods up to purebreds) provides greater credibility to the

Association and our breeders than cattle that have a minimum of 6.25% IFB genetics. • Registering cattle by fraction classifications will do more to improve the perception of ACA breeds more than any other action or marketing campaign that we could undertake. (And it’s a lot cheaper too!) • The continued loss of Italian Fullblood Chianina percentage over the next 5 to 10 years will only worsen, eroding the value and perceptions of breeding Chianina cattle. By going to fraction classifications and giving purebreds 100% DV and 8/8 BV, we will sustain breeding programs for ACA members and elevate our stature in the cattle industry, making us more competitive with other Continental breeds.

Note:

• Registration papers will continue to include actual Italian Fullblood DNA percentages in animals as they are presently found on ACA registration papers.