Willoughby Croft
My Insights and Experiences Regarding Milk Testing My Does.
Disclaimer: The following information is shared in good faith and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. However milk testing is a very complicated subject, involving different species, breeds, registries, dairies, testing plans, labs, processing centers, etc...It can be very confusing to wade through it all. Heck, I took a class and even the instructor wasn't clear on some things. So go easy on me if I make a mistake. Let me know what is inaccurate and I will correct it. Thank you!
I have been wanting to milk test my does since 2019. That was the year we had a dairy goat show in Longview, WA, not far from my home. The show was for Miniature Dairy goats and was sanctioned by both the MDGA and TMGR. The show sponsored a 1-day milking competition where does could earn their milk stars. I was recovering from a leg injury at that time so wasn't able to participate but had planned to bring some does to the show the following year. Then Covid-19 happened. The 2020 show was canceled. I am unsure at this point if there will be anymore Longview shows.
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I really needed to figure out how to get my does milk tested but the more I looked into it, the more daunting and confusing it seemed. Since Mini Nubians are dairy goats I feel that being able to have your goats milk tested, whether it's a 1-day test or a 305 day extended lactation test, is very important. Unfortunately it seems the majority of breeders don't test their does. Why? Maybe because the process is incredibly confusing? At least I found it to be so. I am writing this information on my website mainly for me to have a place to keep it all in some kind of orderly fashion but also in case it can help anyone else get started. I am including lots of links to help you access the information you'll need. I will add to this page as I come across more information (because there's a LOT to it).
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I recently happened to stumble across a Zoom class being offered by WA-DHIA in conjunction with the SWWDGA. It seemed anyone could sign up for the $5 class, so I did. The class was for becoming a certified tester through this particular DHIA lab. I figured it would shed some light on the process and if I became a certified tester I could help others to test.
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The day of the class arrived. It was the first class of this type offered via Zoom, I believe, so there were some hiccups. I found it was also a lot of information to try to process and retain. But there's great news! Transcripts and audio from this very class are now available and shared here, with permission (click on the triangle at the bottom center of the page to hear the audio). It's a 2 hour class but sit down and listen to it when you get a chance. You'll glean a lot of very useful information. The class is geared towards members of ADGA but most of it will be useful no matter which registry you belong to. I was able to submit the test, via email, and thanks to the help of Kathy Sackman at WA-DHIA I am now a certified tester. I still have soooooo many questions but Kathy is very patient and helpful. There are also some milk testing groups on Facebook that you can join to ask questions. The one for Mini Nubians is "Mini Nubian DHIA milk testing group". The one for ADGA is ADGA Milk Test Discussion. There are also some YouTube videos on milk testing but you have to be careful that they are giving accurate information. I link a good one, below.
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Don't be afraid to jump in. I know it can seem intimidating. It might feel like those who are milk testing are members of an exclusive club and you don't know the secret password to join.
I hope this page will be helpful in encouraging you to be persistent. Ask questions. Seek out those who will help you. Yes, it's complicated and confusing but most of the people involved with it want you to succeed. Here's some more good news! The test to become certified isn't pass/fail. Don't worry if you get some of the questions wrong. You'll be told the correct answers. Just take that first step to get started and you'll be helped along.
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Acronyms associated with milk testing.
*DHIA - Dairy Herd Improvement Association. It is a national association that helps dairy producers create and manage records and data about their dairy livestock for use in making management decisions. The individual labs are a part of the DHIA.
*DHIR - Dairy Herd Improvement Registry. These are individual registries involved with the Dairy Herd Improvement program.
*DRPC - Dairy Records Processing Center. These centers process, archive and produce records for dairy livestock. This data is used by the dairy industry so herds can be managed effectively.
*NDHIP - National Dairy Herd Improvement Program. Click that link for information on understanding the NDHIP. It references cows but the information also applies to goats.
*VT - Verification Test. A verification test is needed in all of the different testing plans. Even if you have a regular tester.
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Q: What exactly do the labs test the milk for?
A: Butterfat, protein, and somatic cell count.
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Q: What do I need to do to get started with milk testing?
A: If your does are registered you should contact your registry for information on Milk testing to earn milk production stars for your does. Here is the FAQ page for ADGA, here is the information for MDGA, here is the information for TMGR, and here is the information for IGSCR (formerly IDGR). I understand that KGBA also has milk test guidelines. It wouldn't hurt to read through the information that all the registries provide. While each registry has their own rules and perhaps do things slightly different, much of the process is the same. Your goats do not have to be registered for you to participate in the DHI program. In that case you would contact the DHIA lab of your choice for guidance.
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Q: Do I need to be a certified tester in order to participate in milk testing?
A: No, but you will need to have a certified tester supervise your testing. I think it is beneficial to take the class and become certified so you have a better understanding of the process.
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Q: How do I become a certified tester (aka supervisor)?
A: You need to take a test through whichever DHIA lab you choose to use. There are many throughout the US. Here is a list. It seems most choose one close to where they live but you can choose whichever one you prefer. I am using WA-DHIA. Once you pass the test and are certified you'll need to choose a processing center. Your lab will tell you which ones they work with (if you are only interested in 1-day milk tests you will not need a processing center).
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Q: How do I find a certified milk tester to test my does?
A: This may be the trickiest part of the entire process. Anyone can become a certified tester BUT not everyone can test your herd. The rules are different depending on which registry you're a part of but the core DHIA rules apply to everyone. Basically your tester can't be anyone in your family. They cannot be someone who you have bought goats from or sold goats to. They cannot have any type of vested interest in your herd.
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Q: Can I test for someone and then they test for me.
A: Yes and no. It depends on the type of testing you are doing and the rules of your registry.
Example: I have someone from another registry who will do reciprocal testing with me. I belong to MDGA and she is registered with ADGA. In MDGA you can do reciprocal testing on any of the plans as long as your tester meets the other requirements. However in ADGA you can NOT do reciprocal testing for ANY of the 305 day extended lactation plans. No matter what registry the other tester belongs to. BUT....if one or both of you are doing 1-day milk testing there is no conflict and you can proceed. I am doing 1-day testing this year so we will be able to test for each other.
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Q: I found a tester and we are both doing a 305 day testing plan but reciprocal testing is not allowed. How do we proceed?
A: You can find a 3rd tester and alternate who each is testing for in such a way as there is no conflict. Where there's a will, there's a way.
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Q: Which is better? 1-day testing or 305 day testing?
A: Honestly I believe 305 day is better. You will get a lot more information to be able to make management decisions for your herd. You will know which does hold their lactations over an extended period. That said, milking through an extended lactation is not always possible or preferred.
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Q: How do I know what the different plans are and which one is right for me?
A: There are many different testing plans. Check with your registry to see which plans they recognize and the rules you must observe. All but 1-day testing involve an extended lactation. So first you need to determine whether you want to commit to testing for an extended period?
Example: I want to sell one or two does this summer but would like them to earn their milk stars before they go. I will not be able to milk those does long term. I will be doing 1-day testing this year. Another thing to consider is how many does do you want to test for an extended period? In most cases you will be required to have ALL of your freshened does, of the same breed, on milk test. If you have a large herd that could be a big commitment.
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Here are some links to other websites and YouTube Videos with good information on milk testing. Some of the information will be repetitive. That's OK. It will all start to sink in and make sense:
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How To Start The DHI Program by Kristie M. of Land of Havilah Farm
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