What is milk test?
Milk test (or DHIR) is where we carefully measure how much milk a goat is making over 24 hours. Then we take a milk sample and send it to a lab to test for how much butterfat and protein are in that sample. It should be called "milk records." It does not test if the milk is safe to drink.
The milk is measured by weight over 2 tests that are 12 hours apart. The total weight combines both test results.
On average 4 lbs milk = 1/2 gallon per 24 hours.
305 days is the standard time frame calculated for a lactation, so that the doe can have a dry period of 8 weeks before she gives birth again once a year.
I want to see high producers who continue to make a lot of milk clear to the end of their lactation with high butterfat (8% and above) and high protein.
Zoella on her top ten year milked 1350 lbs of milk, doing 4.6 lbs at just over 305 days.
Now top ten milkers are milking anywhere from 1500-2100 lbs of milk with 95-130+ lbs butterfat with several peaking at 8 lbs of milk on a single test day.
Milk testing also creates "Production Evaluations" that compare each doe and all her relatives to all the does on milk test across the United States. You can see how your doe and her family genetics "rank!" For a more detailed explanation of production evaluations, see my page: Goat Dynasties.
Getting the paper work started seems confusing. But the actual "test" is just weighing and sampling each doe's milk twice in 24 hours every month. Then you mail it to a lab that checks for butterfat and protein. They send the results to ADGA.
The milk is measured by weight over 2 tests that are 12 hours apart. The total weight combines both test results.
On average 4 lbs milk = 1/2 gallon per 24 hours.
305 days is the standard time frame calculated for a lactation, so that the doe can have a dry period of 8 weeks before she gives birth again once a year.
I want to see high producers who continue to make a lot of milk clear to the end of their lactation with high butterfat (8% and above) and high protein.
Zoella on her top ten year milked 1350 lbs of milk, doing 4.6 lbs at just over 305 days.
Now top ten milkers are milking anywhere from 1500-2100 lbs of milk with 95-130+ lbs butterfat with several peaking at 8 lbs of milk on a single test day.
Milk testing also creates "Production Evaluations" that compare each doe and all her relatives to all the does on milk test across the United States. You can see how your doe and her family genetics "rank!" For a more detailed explanation of production evaluations, see my page: Goat Dynasties.
Getting the paper work started seems confusing. But the actual "test" is just weighing and sampling each doe's milk twice in 24 hours every month. Then you mail it to a lab that checks for butterfat and protein. They send the results to ADGA.
How To Get Started:
Simplified Version:
1. All your does need to be registered with ADGA and you need to be an ADGA member with herdname etc.
2. Pick a DHIA (that's your lab.) You will mail your milk samples to them. They test for butterfat and protein and send the results to the "DRPC." It's nice if your DHIA is in your state because it saves on mailing costs, but ask around to see who breeders in your area are using. I use Rocky Mountain DHIA in Logan, Utah. I've heard bad reviews of Langston. I'm sure there's one close to you.
https://adga.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/REGIONAL-AFFILIATES2021.pdf
3. Most DHIA's have a DRPC (Data Records Processing Center) they like to use. The DRPC records the milk weights and lab results into an online database (CDCB) for ADGA. So for Rocky Mountain DHIA, I picked Amelicor/DHI-Provo. You will see all this on ADGA's DHIR sign up sheet.
4. Find a tester or do owner sampler (you are the tester.) Your DHIA (lab) will train you or your tester. Your tester doesn't need to know anything about goats. They do have to be over 18 years old and not related to you or financially connected to your goats. But it could be your neighbor. Sometimes when you contact your DHIA, they already have testers they know of in your area that can help train you or test for you.
5. Pick your type of test. In general, you have 3 options:
A. Standard 20: you need a tester for every test, you can compete for top ten awards, doesn't matter number of days your doe is in milk or how many tests she has. Verification test is needed if you have a doe who might make the top ten list.
- You could also join two other herds doing milk test and do group testing. You test each other's herds, rotating who you test each month. It has to be at least 3 herds. You still test your herd every month.
B. owner sampler AR: you are the tester, you cannot compete for top ten, you do 8 tests over 260 days, you need one verification test where an outside tester comes 3 times in 24 hours and checks everything.
C. One-day milk test: basically a verification test with an outside tester but it's only one time in 24 hours. This one is hit and miss because if your doe is off that day, she won't earn her star.
6. Sign up with ADGA to do DHIR. You pay around $45 per year. Online DHIR Application: https://adga.org/forms/
You also pay your DHIA (lab.) Mine is about $25 per test for 12 does plus $12 for shipping. You don't pay the DRPC. Some people pay their tester too.
1. All your does need to be registered with ADGA and you need to be an ADGA member with herdname etc.
2. Pick a DHIA (that's your lab.) You will mail your milk samples to them. They test for butterfat and protein and send the results to the "DRPC." It's nice if your DHIA is in your state because it saves on mailing costs, but ask around to see who breeders in your area are using. I use Rocky Mountain DHIA in Logan, Utah. I've heard bad reviews of Langston. I'm sure there's one close to you.
https://adga.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/REGIONAL-AFFILIATES2021.pdf
3. Most DHIA's have a DRPC (Data Records Processing Center) they like to use. The DRPC records the milk weights and lab results into an online database (CDCB) for ADGA. So for Rocky Mountain DHIA, I picked Amelicor/DHI-Provo. You will see all this on ADGA's DHIR sign up sheet.
4. Find a tester or do owner sampler (you are the tester.) Your DHIA (lab) will train you or your tester. Your tester doesn't need to know anything about goats. They do have to be over 18 years old and not related to you or financially connected to your goats. But it could be your neighbor. Sometimes when you contact your DHIA, they already have testers they know of in your area that can help train you or test for you.
5. Pick your type of test. In general, you have 3 options:
A. Standard 20: you need a tester for every test, you can compete for top ten awards, doesn't matter number of days your doe is in milk or how many tests she has. Verification test is needed if you have a doe who might make the top ten list.
- You could also join two other herds doing milk test and do group testing. You test each other's herds, rotating who you test each month. It has to be at least 3 herds. You still test your herd every month.
B. owner sampler AR: you are the tester, you cannot compete for top ten, you do 8 tests over 260 days, you need one verification test where an outside tester comes 3 times in 24 hours and checks everything.
C. One-day milk test: basically a verification test with an outside tester but it's only one time in 24 hours. This one is hit and miss because if your doe is off that day, she won't earn her star.
6. Sign up with ADGA to do DHIR. You pay around $45 per year. Online DHIR Application: https://adga.org/forms/
You also pay your DHIA (lab.) Mine is about $25 per test for 12 does plus $12 for shipping. You don't pay the DRPC. Some people pay their tester too.
More Questions? https://adga.org/knowledgebase/dhir-faqs/
Pictorial Explanation: https://adga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Going-on-ADGA-DHIR_2018-pictorial.pdf
Equipment: your DHIA can help you, but you will need:
- a hanging scale that is approved and calibrated by your DHIA-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDR9E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- hanging stainless steel bucket
- a stainless steel ladle for taking samples
- a way to hold or separate each doe's milk while you are milking
Your DHIA will send you the paperwork and sample vials.
- a hanging scale that is approved and calibrated by your DHIA-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDR9E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- hanging stainless steel bucket
- a stainless steel ladle for taking samples
- a way to hold or separate each doe's milk while you are milking
Your DHIA will send you the paperwork and sample vials.