NADR Interactive Use

GMS Web App - New and Updated Features in 2026!

During the last year, numerous updates and new features have been added to the GMS web app. Read below to discover some new and enhanced features that may benefit your breeding operation.

• Animals
• Read-only summary at top of page
• Animal drop-down list updated to include both Name and Ear Tag
• Note on fields (Required)
• Note on Date Added (Makes Active)
• Duplicate check when adding a new animal.
• Animal Search
• Delete an animal with no dependencies
• Added IBC and Diversity
• Updated column lengths where needed and re-ordered columns
• Public Search - New Page!
• Listing of all public GEBV Animals
• Checkbox to import records into your GMS profile as an inactive animal
• My NADR Animals - New Page!
• Display owner's NADR Inventory
• Show if animal is in GMS profile and allow import
• Show if animal is marked active and allow update 
• Importing NADR Animals (Animals, My NADR Animals, Public Search)
• Optimized process and reduced animal import time by 75%
• NADR
• Added Pen column and filter to possible fawn listing
• Added option to add comparison animals from Pens or Groups
• Added filters to comparison animal list columns
• Re-arranged field locations for clarity
• Add mouse-over tips to each field/button
• Added Compare to Inventory option
• Added IBC request checkbox
• Added button to view submission record details before sending
• Added Notes field for user to provide additional detail to NADR analysts
• Dream Deer
• Added Delete option for saved Good Matches
• Interactive
• Jump to full animal record from animal box
• Added Sex and Active status to base animal display
• Added Lineage box legend 
• Pens 
• Updated to show active animals only 
• Updated the animal removal process to also remove assigned pen
• Groups/Manage Groups - New Page!
• Re-designed page to function as Manage Pens
• Updated to allow for all status animals to be added
• Added a checkbox to filter by active status
• Mass Actions - New Page!
• New page to allow for updates to multiple animals
• Reports
• Removal report - added Sold Price
• Custom Reports - New Page!
• New report builder to allow for custom field selection and order

Please continue to share your feedback and development suggestions. GMS continues to be designed for breeders, by breeders!

If you would like more training on any of these topics, please contact us to schedule a remote meeting or phone call. 

Thank you! 

Inbreeding Coefficient (IBC) and Diversity metrics - FAQs

 

Advancing Whitetail Deer Breeding: Genetic Insights from Over 110,000 Samples

In the world of whitetail deer breeding, data-driven decisions are transforming how breeders build healthier, more resilient herds. A recent milestone from the North American Deer Registry (NADR) and Dr. Chris Seabury highlights this progress: analysis of over 110,000 whitetail deer DNA samples has revealed key insights into genetic health, diversity, and breeding strategies. This comprehensive dataset not only underscores the industry's overall strength but also equips breeders with tools to accelerate improvements in antler size, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) resistance, and overall herd vitality.

Beginning in late 2025, we will offer two new metrics produced from the NADR’s database.  The first of the two new deliverables made available will be the inbreeding coefficient (“F IBC”.  In general, the “F IBC” ranges from 0.00 to 1.00, where a value of 0.00 indicates no inbreeding and a value of 1.00 represents complete inbreeding.  There could be occasions where the “F IBC” is negative in some instances.  These tools will soon integrate with Game Management Solutions (GMS) for subscribers, potentially reshaping animal valuations.  While technical, they promise to speed up breeding programs, protect herd health and enable the creation of “dream deer” beyond mere numerical chases.

A Strong Foundation: Industry-Wide Genetic Health

The NADR database paints an encouraging picture of the whitetail breeding industry's genetic landscape. On average, the inbreeding coefficient (IBC) stands at a remarkably low 0.037, indicating minimal inbreeding risks across the board. This low IBC helps dodge common pitfalls associated with inbreeding depression, such as weakened immune systems, reduced fertility, smaller antlers, and poor fawn survival rates.

Complementing this is an average observed heterozygosity of 40%, a robust measure of genetic diversity. Heterozygosity reflects the variety of alleles (gene variants) in the population, providing the raw material for selective breeding. This diversity has fueled significant advancements, including enhanced CWD resistance over recent years, all while maintaining a broad gene pool. As the NADR team notes, this is a "win worth protecting," ensuring the industry can continue pushing for genetic gains without compromising long-term sustainability.

The Hidden Dangers: Outliers and Inbreeding Risks

While averages are promising, they can mask problematic outliers. Some deer in the database exhibit extreme inbreeding, with IBC values as high as 0.89 - nearly fully inbred. These animals often pair with poor Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBV), where lower or negative scores indicate better CWD resistance. In one worst-case example, a deer with a GEBV of +0.37 and heterozygosity about 10 times below average represents a "progress killer."

Breeding with such individuals introduces double copies of undesirable alleles across the genome, leading to stalled genetic improvements, wasted resources, and increased risks over generations. The advice is clear: high IBC combined with low diversity acts as a genetic bottleneck.

Elite Performers: Balancing Excellence and Diversity

On the flip side, many top-tier deer—those with strong negative GEBV scores for superior CWD resistance—also boast low IBC and high heterozygosity. These "outcross goldmines" allow breeders to stack elite traits safely, avoiding inbreeding traps and accelerating herd improvements. By prioritizing these animals, especially for widespread semen use, breeders can maintain momentum in genetic progress while safeguarding diversity.

This balance is crucial in an era where focus on individual alleles and GEBV has yielded results, but without diversity monitoring, risks like shrinking gene pools or accidentally fixing bad traits loom large. Metrics like IBC and heterozygosity serve as essential guardrails, helping answer key questions: Is a 96SS sire (a desirable PRNP genotype for CWD resistance) a diversity booster or a hidden risk? Can outcrossing preserve progress? Which bucks offer the fastest, safest gains?

Practical Guidance: Why It Matters and How to Act

Genetic diversity isn't just an abstract concept—it's nature's insurance against diseases and environmental challenges. Loss of diversity through bottlenecks, inbreeding, or line breeding heightens susceptibility to emerging threats like new infectious diseases. The new metrics empower breeders to improve GEBVs thoughtfully, select semen sires wisely, and identify true outcrosses.

Actionable Steps for Breeders

1. Integrate Diversity into Decisions: Don't rely solely on GEBV—use diversity as a multiplier for gains.
2. Test Key Animals: Assess sires for Inbreeding Coefficients and Heterozygosity to inform choices.
3. Prioritize Balanced Bucks: Favor low Inbreeding Coefficients, high Heterozygosity, especially for broad use.
4. Cull Risks Proactively: Remove high-inbreeding animals, regardless of superficial GEBV appeal.
5. Stay Updated: Monitor GMS for incoming diversity tools to refine your program.

 

 

Looking Forward: Sustainable Progress in Whitetail Breeding

The future of whitetail deer breeding extends beyond bigger antlers to encompass healthier, more adaptable herds. With tools like the NADR database, GMS, GEBV’s, Inbreeding Coefficients, and Heterozygosity, breeders now have the data to make smarter, safer decisions. By embracing these insights, the industry can protect its genetic foundation, mitigate risks, and continue innovating. As the NADR team emphasizes, we've got the tools—let's use them to breed not just for today, but for generations to come.

 

Q1: How do I use this new information?  What is the point?

A1: This information is designed to help breeders thoughtfully improve their GEBVs without excessive inbreeding or line breeding.  Semen sires can also be selected with this in mind.  True outcrosses can be guided or identified using this information.

Q2: Why should I care about inbreeding or line breeding?

A2: Genetic diversity is mother nature’s insurance policy for ensuring the perpetuation of any species, at the population level.  Loss of genetic diversity via population bottleneck and/or inbreeding or line breeding can render individuals more susceptible to new emerging infectious diseases, or even common diseases that exist today.  Adaptability requires genetic diversity.

 

Q3: Are there any recommendations or “guardrails” for these values?  Where should we aim?

A3: The national averages of these values as of 2025 provide one valuable benchmark for which to compare your herd (i.e., herd average), or to compare with your individual deer.  The national average for “F_IBC” = 0.037111 at the time of writing this FAQ (11/01/2025).  The national average for “Obs_HET” = 0.400557 at the time of writing this FAQ (11/01/2025).  If your herd or individual deer are producing values for “F_IBC” that are much larger than the national average (i.e., like equal to or greater than 0.15), then you need to take some corrective action in the next breeding season to implement some degree of outcrossing. 

Q4: Do you have any real working examples to highlight to show the value of this information?
A4:  Yes, if you have a deer with positive GEBVs for CWD (GEBV = 0.322223) that is also a PRNP 96GG, and the “F_IBC” = 0.80, with “Obs_HET” = 0.10, this would mean the deer in question is highly inbred on top of a highly susceptible genetic background.  It would also indicate that the deer has two copies of an undesirable CWD susceptibility allele at many different locations throughout the genome.  Therefore, it would cost an inordinate amount of time and money to even attempt to “dilute” the CWD susceptibility alleles out of this lineage; all while increasing risk for CWD across generational time.  Wouldn’t you rather know this up front; and perhaps take an alternative approach that makes more economic sense while also reducing long term risk for CWD?

Another working example would be as follows: Many of the deer that have tested in the elite GEBV classes

(i.e., like less than say -0.35) but also are 96GS or 96SS have high levels of diversity, as estimated by the “Obs_HET”, and low estimates for the inbreeding coefficient known as “F_IBC”.  For example, in one such elite deer the “Obs_HET” is greater than the national average at the time of writing (0.400557); with an inbreeding coefficient “F_IBC” that is less than the national average at the time of writing (0.037111), which should give the breeder confidence regarding concerns about the “overtightening” of lineages.  Therefore, this new information can help guide better breeding decisions for progress related to CWD GEBVs; especially given the prioritization of PRNP 96S.  Essentially you can monitor your genetic progress in real time annually and then adapt or strategize accordingly.  You will no longer be limited to only what you can see in the pedigree to inform your outcrosses, or to determine when you need an outcross.

 

Q5: Outside of GEBVs for CWD, why would I need this new information?

A5: Breeding animals too tight causes the “unmasking” of negative recessive alleles.  What this means is that inbreeding increases homozygosity; thereby producing genotypes comprised of two negative recessive alleles.  Herein, I use the words “negative recessive allele” to denote that having two copies of this recessive allele causes negative consequences such as: congenital defects, general immune suppression or dysfunction, subfertility, reduced fawn survivability, reduced adult longevity, and/or enhanced susceptibility to common infectious diseases.

NADR to Rollout New Technology

                

NADR to Rollout New Technology

 

The North American Deer Registry (NADR) continues to lead the industry with science-driven innovation- empowering breeders to achieve faster, safer, and more sustainable genetic progress.

We are excited to share groundbreaking news from North American Deer Registry (NADR) that marks a major advancement in whitetail breeding science and herd management.  NADR, with the scientific leadership of Dr. Chris Seabury has analyzed over 110,000 whitetail DNA samples, revealing a healthy industry average inbreeding coefficient (F_IBC) of just 0.037 and observed heterozygosity (Obs HET) of 40%, providing a strong foundation for genetic diversity, CWD resistance, and herd vitality.

Starting Monday, November 17th, two powerful new metrics – Inbreeding coefficients (F_IBC) and observed heterozygosity (Obs HET) (Diversity) will be available through Game Management Solutions (GMS), enabling breeders to identify risky inbred outliers, avoid genetic bottlenecks, and prioritize elite, diverse animals with superior GEBV scores and high heterozygosity for faster, safer gains. These tools act as critical guardrails, helping you integrate diversity into breeding decisions, select semen wisely, detect true outcross opportunities, and protect long-term herd health—ensuring sustainable progress beyond bigger antlers to resilient, adaptable deer for generations to come.

Access for Existing Data (First 110,000 Samples)

• GMS Users: Free upload and access to your historical NADR-tested samples
• Non-GMS Users: $5 per sample.  Please request from NADR Office.

New Sample Testing (with GEBV Request)

• GMS Users: $1 per sample
• Non-GMS Users: $5 per sample

Contact the office for more information and for a detailed article along with FAQ’s explaining how these data points can benefit your breeding metrics.

NADR looks forward to continuing utilizing technology to improve the industry.

Summer, 2025, GMS Web Portal Added Functionality

 

(1) Animals Menu

•  A Quick View for each animal is available in the Animal Profile record. These fields are not editable, but are read only reflecting data noted in the body of the Animal Profile record: 

(2) NADR Menu

• Under the NADR menu item, animals can now be chosen from pens and/or groups.

• Additionally, bucks, does, or both can be added from either source by choosing the +P or +G         button by the desired Sire or Dam option.

• A Compare to Inventory option is also available on this screen as is a Notes field for further                     notations to NADR regarding a submission. 

• A Pen column has also been added to the left portion of this NADR screen identifying which pen each available animal is located. This column can be sorted ascending/ascending by clicking the Pen column header.

(3) Groups Menu

• Inactive animals can now be added to groups via the Groups/Manage Groups menu.

• Type in the name or partial name of an inactive animal in the "search all available animals (optional)" field to find the animal.

• Additionally, the "filter lists" field can be used to filter the current listing of animals in the designated group.

  

(4) Pens Menu

• On the Pens/Pen Transfer screen, the listing of Not in Pen animals now only includes active animals now; whereas, inactive animals were originally included.

 

GMS Updates - January 2025

Thank you for using GMS! Following are some of the most recent updates as we continue to optimize the program based on user feedback.  

Animal search: 

• Added fields - Maternal Grand Sire and Maternal Great Grand Sire 
• New date range filter for Birth Date, Removal Date, and Purchase Date
• Active filter moved to left for quick adjustment
• The edit icon on each result row will now open a separate window to view and update the animal's profile page while leaving filtered search results. 

Animals Page:

• Added option to delete picture
• Birth Type - added Quads and Quints to drop-down list
• Picture size limit increased to allow for common phone photo file sizes

Reports:

• Removal report - added date range filter
• Pen report - added GEBV and codon 96

Data importing: 

• Import NADR # - added ability to input multiple animals from a NADR # list
• Import Animals from Excel spreadsheet - used for profile setup or existing users wanting to bulk add animals from another source list. 

As always, please contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a training demo. 

GMS Contact Page

Thank you!

GMS Technical Support

Inventory and Lineage menu page

The Inventory and Lineage menu will be removed after February, 15, 2025. 

Many of the reports found on the Inventory and Lineage page drop-down menu list are now available on the Reports page (report icon on the far right) .

The Herd Inventory Master GEBV reports will be removed since many inventory reports contain genetic profile data, including the Animal Search page, Pen Report, and Herd Inventory Report. 

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a training demo. 

GMS Contact Page

Thank you!

GMS Technical Support

Troubleshooting - Added Animals are not Found

Issue: I've added animals, but cannot find them now. 

Please try the following:

• Always wait for a pop-up confirmation that the animal was added. This notification will appear in the lower right-hand corner of your screen.

• Check the Date Added field on the Animals page. Added animals will not be displayed on active animal searches, reports, or drop-down lists if the Date Added field is not populated. 
  
• Search for an inactive animal 

• Animals page - click the Show All button
• 
  
• Animals Search page - remove the Active filter, then search by Name, Tag, etc..
  
  

Dream Deer in Web-based GMS

The Dream Deer feature of GMS answers the question, "What if?". This tool can be crucial in assisting with breeding plans. 

Details such as pictures, scores, genetic profiles, and custom comments may be displayed for each lineage animal. A breeding history snapshot is included along with an estimated bloodline percentage calculation. 

Please note the following details for using Dream Deer:

Assigning a sire or dam:

• Click the green sire or dam box.
• Choose an animal from the drop-down list.
• Click Assign Sire or Assign Dam.
• Note: The dam list is filtered to Active does only.

Editing Tag, Other DNA, or Comments of the Sire or Dam:

• Click the green sire or dam box.
• Make changes to field(s) and click Submit.

Edit Comments of the Dream Deer:

• Click the blue Dream Deer box.
• Make changes to field(s) and click Submit.

The Sire and Dam Breeding History report includes all offspring listed in your database, with Dam’s offspring listed first.  

An Estimated Bloodline % report is shown, as well. 

Print or create a PDF of the Dream Deer:

• Choose the appropriate icon to print or export to PDF.
• The Estimated Bloodline % and Breeding History tables print on separate pages.    

Save a sire/dam pairing as a Good Match for future reference and reporting:

• Click the Dream Deer box.
• Click Good Match, then close the form.

View a previously saved Good Match:

• Click the Dream Deer box.
• Select a saved pairing from the drop-down menu.
• Click Submit to save.

A Good Match report is available on the Reports page. The PDF works well for printing, while the excel report exports properly for further formatting and analysis.

Please contact GMS Tech Support if you have any questions. We are available to train via phone call or remote connection.

Thank you!

GMS Technical Support

 

 

Troubleshooting - Error Notation when Adding Animal

Issue: 

I am receiving an error page when adding some animals.

Resolution: 

1. Confirm the following required fields are completed:  

•     Species
•     Sex
•     Animal Name
•     Ear Tag

 2. The following fields must be completed by selecting from the drop-down list. Typing in a value for those fields results in an error notation.

• Sire
• Dam
• Pen 

Note: All lineage animals must have an animal record in GMS to be assigned to a lineage tree.  

GMS Web Portal: Adding Animal Record via Import NADR # Feature

How to Add a Fawn Animal Record

 

How to Submit DNA Request to NADR

 

 

GMS Updated & Ready to Release Beginning April 2, 2024

 NADR ACQUIRES GAME MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS (GMS)

GMS: YOU CAN’T MANAGE WHAT YOU CAN’T MEASURE!