Willoughby Croft

 

 

 

My MDGA 1-day Milk Test Notes

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I share more milk testing insights here.

 

 

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The most difficult part can be finding a certified tester. Ask around on the various goat groups. I was fortunate to find a tester about a mile away. She raises Nigerians. I also have a neighbor who got certified, so now I have a backup tester. 

 

Two weeks before testing:

Apply for your 1-day testing permit with MDGA. You can find the information you need here.

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The week before testing:

-Get your does on the desired schedule, if they aren't there, already. Leave enough time for them to adjust.

-Get your does used to the milking machine well beforehand (if they aren't already)

-DO NOT make any other changes that would affect their production (don't clip, remove kids, etc...)

Adjust their feed intake, if needed. Make sure they have enough protein and plenty of fresh, clean water.

-Check tattoos and microchips.

-MOST IMPORTANTLY: You do not want to make ANY changes to their routine, or do anything else that will cause them stress, close to test day. That can negatively affect their milk production.

 

Things to have ready for the test:

*Your permit for a 1-day test from your registry.

*Calibrated scale (hung and battery installed). Your DHIA lab can calibrate your scale.

*Milking machine (if used). Set up and ready to go.

*Milk pail (or 2)

*Stainless steel ladle

*Enough milk vials (from your DHIA).

*Yardstick for measuring (I have one made for measuring mini horses)

*Flashlight if reading tattoos

*Chip reader, for chipped goats

*Addressed priority mail box, ready to mail

*Ink pen

*Check to include for any lab fees (made payable to your DHIA).

*Plastic baggy for each vial AND one for the paperwork.

*All of the does' registrations, for verifying

 

Things to do on first Milk Out:

Have tester record start time on the permit (use military time)

Verify each doe (if does have microchips in place of tattoos, have tester verify microchips, write in what the tattoos “would be” on the permit, and put a note on the permit that microchips have been verified.

Measure height of each doe (at the withers)

Milk a doe completely out (if using a machine, finished milking by hand into a second container).

Hang bucket and tare

Pour all of that doe's milk into bucket, and weigh to the 10th of a pound. Round up.

Record milk weight on permit

Keep kids off of the does for the entirety of testing.

 

Things to do for first milking on Test Day:

Have tester record start time on the permit (use military time)

Milk a doe completely out (if using a machine, finished milking by hand into a second container).

Hang bucket and tare

Pour all of that doe's milk into bucket, and weigh to the 10th of a pound. Round up.

Record milk weight on permit

Use ladle to gently stir milk.

Fill vials half full.

Vials go home with tester and are brought back for second milking.

 

Things to do for second milking on Test Day:

Have tester record start time on the permit (use military time)

Milk a doe completely out (if using a machine, finished milking by hand into a second container).

Hang bucket and tare

Pour all of that doe's milk into bucket, and weigh to the 10th of a pound. Round up.

Record milk weight on permit

Use ladle to gently stir milk.

Fill vials the remainder of the way.

Place all vials in their separate baggies.

Place the vials into a box that is addressed to the DHIA.

Take a photo of the completed permit to send to MDGA.

Place the completed permit, and the check for the milk testing, into another baggy. Put it on the bottom of the box, or on the side if the box is narrow. Never put it on top of the vials as it may be cut when the box is opened.

Seal the box and send it with your tester.

Give her money so she can mail the box to the DHIA the following day.

Email the photo of the completed permit to MDGA.

 

Now sit back and wait for your results. It takes about a week for the lab to get the results to you, which you forward to the milk test chair. The MDGA Milk Test Chair will then contact you in a few days with your results. Fingers crossed it's good news!