Goat Milk Test Requirements

Details
Category: Award: Apps, Programs / Tests

Types of Milk IDGR Milk testing

  • Barn Records (daily or monthly weight and/or lab testing for Butterfat, Protein and Somatic Cell Count

  • Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI)

  • 30-day 

  • Butterfat (305 day and 30-3day)

  • One-Day

Typles of Tests withing the above

  • Milk Volume (305 day, 30-day, One-day, Lifetime

  • Butterfat (305 day and 30-day)

  • Length of Lactation

  • Lifetime Lactation

Goals

  1. ​Ease and flexibility for the doe owner
  2. Making it possible for owner to be able to have viable milk records for herd management and to help other owners as well, no matter their situation in life
  3. Giving availability to milk awards for both the Once a Day and Twice a day milk schedule or for those who have nursing babies on their dairy animals
  4. To create a seachable milk record database

 

Requirements for valid Barn Record Testing 

This system of milk testing is designed to benefit those herd-owners who cannot feasibly utilize the national DHI system for whatever reasons. This is not a contest to see who can give the most milk, rather it is designed to help breeders to breed for the very best and improve their goats ability to produce milk. The production figures generated by this system will be actual, not projections, and may be used in advertising. IDGR offers this system in good faith and relies on our members to respond in kind; falsifying records will ultimately only hurt the herd owner. By applying for this testing program you commit to honestly recording milk amounts as accurately as possible. If a surprise test is conducted and the figures vary significantly from the barn record figures, or if IDGR has reason, it reserves the right to require further surprise tests. Any records or awards found to be inaccurate or dishonestly obtained will be stricken from the records; individuals found to be deliberately falsifying records may be barred from further IDGR membership and participation in any testing or awards programs. 

 

One “lactation” is defined as the period a doe gives milk following one kidding. 

 

Process:

  1. Milk must be weighed every day at every milking that the goat is on the test regardless of whether the doe is being milked once, twice or three times a day, using a reliable scales that is adjusted to subtract the weight of the container.
    1. A hanging dairy scale which read in pounds and tenths of pounds is recommended. For maximum accuracy, the scale’s range should not exceed 60 pounds.
  2. The milk weight must be recorded on the IDGR MRB-1 form for every milking. An exception may be obtained from the IDGR office for those for whom it is not possible to weigh every day, such as those who are using a pipeline milking system. Contact IDGR for a special form and requirements, a surprise test will be required. 
  3. If the doe was nursed, in heat, at a show or sick, this should be noted and allowance will be made as necessary. It is encouraged that does being nursed by kids be kept from their kids for a 12 hour period each night if possible and the milk amount recorded in the morning if they are to receive credit for milk given. 
  4. For the 305 day volume test a total of fourteen (14) days out of each lactation may be missed (no records kept); this provides for travel and other unanticipated circumstances. No more than 4 consecutive days may be missed.
  5. The day of kidding and the following three days may be omitted from the barn records, but we encourage you to begin keeping records as soon as possible. 

  6. For the 30-day milk test

    1. the day the test is started is the number of days in milk counted in the point system. 
    2. If more than one milking is skipped (not recorded) in the 30 day period then the test will have to be started again. 
    3. Days in milk may account for no more than 40% of the points earned.
    4. A doe may only receive one volume milk award in each lactation.

  7. ​For the 30-day Butterfat test

    1. The day the test is started is the number of days in milk counted in the point system. 
    2. If more than three milkings are skipped (not recorded) in the 30 day period then the test will have to be started again. 
    3. Two Butterfat test will be required -1 at the beginning of the milk test and another at least 2 weeks later and no more than 35 days after the first test. 
    4. Days in milk may account for no more than 40% of the points earned.
    5. A doe may only receive one Butterfat award in each lactation.
    6. One surprise test may be conducted during each lactation by a DHI tester or a person approved and designated by the IDGR office, who owns no whole or partial interest in the animals. At this time we do not have enough approved persons to go around, so not all farms will be visited each year. In the case of a DHI tester, there may be some expense to the herd owner. 
  8. Partial DHI records may substitute for part of lactation. For example, if a doe is purchased who was on DHIA or DHIR test, those records may be combined with approved barn records to give the doe full credit for the complete lactation.
  9. For butterfat testing each herd, the owner must either send in their own samples to a lab or have samples sent by a licensed DHI tester and send a  photocopy of the results to the IDGR office.
  10. For the 305-day test, Butterfat must be tested at least every 45 days to qualify for a butterfat award.
  11. Only the IDGR MBR-1 form, or photocopies of it, may be used. These forms are provided free by the IDGR office to herds on a test.
  12. All does must be registered or recorded with IDGR. All breeds and types of goats are welcome to participate and be eligible for production awards appropriate to their breed. A clear photograph of each doe along with her tattoo and/or tag number, height at withers, heart girth measurement and fees of $10.00 per farm plus $1per doe on the test must accompany an application for IDGR Barn Record Milk Testing Program. If the doe completes the test and qualifies for an award there will be an added $3 fee for each award to cover extra paperwork. 
  13. Does that do not meet height requirements for their breed will not be eligible to receive an award (some exception being possibly allowed for yearlings who have not reached maturity).
  14. Each doe who meets the requirements to receive an award will receive a certificate.
  15. Milk awards will be noted on registration papers of kids and Grandkids as follows. 
    1. Milk Volume awards
      1. A doe who receives an award in any Milk Volume category will have a *M-__ designation (i.e. yellow star will be designated by *M-Y) 
      2. A doe who receives a star (*M-__ ) and whose mother also received a star of any level will have a 2*M-  designation. The last letter will denote the doe's award
      3. If a doe qualifies for a milk volume star in three separate lactations she will have the designation *M3-__. The last letter will always signify the highest award attained
    2. Butterfat awards
      1. A doe receiving an award in any Butterfat Volume category will receive a *MF-__ designation. (i.e. red diamond will be designation by *MF-R)
      2. A doe who receives a diamond (*MF-__) and whose mother also received a diamond of any level will have a 2*MF-__ designation. The last letter will denote the doe's award.
      3. If a doe qualifies for a Butterfat award in three separate lactations she will have the designation *MF3-__. The last letter will always signify the highest award attained. 
    3. Lactation length awards
      1. A doe receiving an award for lactation length will receive a *ML-__ designation. (i.e. a Blue LL will receive *ML-B)
      2. A doe who receives an LL whose mother also received an LL of any designation will have a 2*ML-__ designation. The last letter will denote the doe's award. 
      3. If a doe qualifies for a Lactation Length award in two separate lactations she will have a 2*ML-__ designation. The last letter will always signify the highest award attained.
    4. Lifetime award
      1. A doe who receives an award for lifetime production will receive a *MP designation. As above yellow will be *MP-Y, Red *MP-R and Blue *MP-B 
    5. A buck whose dam and paternal grand dam have received stars will automatically receive a *B designation. Also, a buck whose dam has a star and who has 2 daughters with stars or a buck who has 3 daughters that have earned stars will receive a *B.