Dairy Goat DHI- How we do our milk testing with Langston

Описание: This is not a cheese video, but after helping several people get signed up for DHI testing, I figured it would be easiest just to put it all here.

I have been testing for several years now and tried to cover everything to the best of my knowledge. I am not affiliated with Langston University nor am I employed by ADGA. If I forgot anything, I am going to do a Q&A after the links in this description. Comment with any questions and I'll add the big things I forgot to cover to the Q&A.

I know I forgot to mention that your animals will need to be tattooed or tagged so your supervisor can correctly identify each animal.

I also did not cover the form to add does to your herd. It is in the "documents" link below. It is pretty self-explanatory. A Transfer Doe is one who was on test in another herd and is just now joining yours. New does entering herd- just give them an index number and fill in their info. A doe does not have to be registered to participate in DHI. She just needs a birthdate, a name, and to be in milk.

*CORRECTION* I just learned that the test date to use on your paperwork is always the date of your morning test.

Links and other Contact Data to get you started:

ADGA DHIR information and forms:
http://adga.org/performance-programs/...
Click the "Enrollment Forms" link and scroll down to find "First Time Herd Application"

You will most likely be Standard DHIR-20 or Owner Sample DHIR-40
I use DRMS-Raleigh as my DRPC

Langston Documents can be found in this Google Docs folder:
http://bit.ly/DHIDocs
Documents here include-
-New Herd sheet and Barn Sheet
-2018 Supervisor Test
-Membership Agreement
-Invoice and Dried/Freshened Doe Sheet


Langston Contact Info:
Eva 405-466-6207
[email protected]

Eva is wonderful and is basically a one-woman organization over there. Your results will be processed in a timely manner. She is very busy, however, and her voicemail does not work. Be patient and keep calling until you reach her. She will send you your box and paperwork to get started.

The Scale:
I use this scale, but it appears Amazon no longer has these as Prime. You need a scale that weighs in tenths of pounds, not ounces. I know a lot of people are using digital scales now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UUTEEW/...

DRMS:
You will get your results in the mail, but to receive them faster, be sure to ask Eva for a pin to access your records online.
https://www.drms.org/

Q: What is DHI?
A: DHI stands for Dairy Herd Improvement. By doing milk testing, you will have records on how much your does milk, their protein and butterfat content, and somatic cell count (SCC). This is all very helpful when making culling, buying/selling decisions, and keeping track of udder health.

Q: Do we have to weigh and sample everyday?
A: No! Thank goodness, no! You will only weigh and sample one day a month. If you are on standard test, your supervisor will come for your morning and evening milking that day. No! The lab is able to use formulas to estimate your does' production based on one test a month. Every other day of the month will be business as usual for you.

Q: What is a Verification Test (VT) and when do I need one?
A: A Verification Test is much like a regular milk test, but instead of a supervisor coming twice, he will come three times. Once 12 hours before the first test to supervise a milk-out (no samples or weights taken at this test). Then twelve hours later for the first milking that is weighed and sampled and again in twelve hours for the second milking.

You will need a VT if you are owner sampled and wish to participate in the Advanced Registry to get milk stars. You will also need a VT if you are on Standard Test and your goat might qualify as a breed leader. In that case, you need a supervisor other than your regular supervisor to oversee the test.

Q: The barn sheet has a space for 3rd milking. Is it okay if I only milk twice.
A: Of course. Just leave the 3rd column blank.

Q: How much does my doe need to milk to earn her milk star?
A: The chart with that information can be found in your ADGA Guidebook. Here is a link. You may need to sign in or form an account to view it. The chart starts on page 67. http://adga.org/wp-content/uploads/pr...

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