ADGA
What happens on test day?
The evening before test day, a certified milk tester will watch all of the goats get milked out. They will also check tattoos of all goats and measure the height of Nigerian Dwarfs. Any goat without tattoos matching their registration or any Nigerian that is overheight will be disqualified.
- 12 hours later (morning of test day), the milk tester will watch all of the goats get milked. They will weigh each goat's milk and take a sample.
- 12 hours later (evening of test day), the milk tester will again weigh each goat's milk and take a sample. They will mail the samples and paperwork to their DHIA (lab).
How does my doe earn a milk star?
The lab will measure the amount of butterfat in each sample and send the paperwork to ADGA. ADGA converts the number of days the doe has been in milk, the amount of milk she produced, and the amount of butterfat into points.
Point Calculation:
- 1 point for each pound of milk, rounded to one decimal place.
- 1 point for each 0.05 pounds of butterfat.
- 0.1 points for each complete ten days since the doe last kidded with a maximum of 3.6 points for standard breeds and 0.04 points per ten days with a maximum of 1.44 points for Nigerian Dwarfs.
Standard size does need 18 points to earn a milk star and Nigerian Dwarfs need 7 points.
How do I schedule a one day test?
- Decide on a location. This can be your own farm. All does on test must stay on premise for the entire 24 hours of the test. The test must be open to anyone who wants to participate, but you don't have to advertise it.
- Find a certified milk tester. Ask around in local goat groups. Someone should know someone who is a tester. There are a lot of us out there! It is considered standard practice to give the tester gas money.
- Pick a date that works for everyone and submit your form (and $25) to ADGA at least 30 days before that date.
- NOTE: The online form hasn't worked since the switch to NG. The workaround is to fill out the PDF form and email it to performanceprograms@adga.org
AGS
Overheight Nigerian Dwarfs can earn a milk star but an "OH" notation will be added to their registration certificate.
Point Calculation:
- 5.55 points for each pound of milk.
- 1.11 points for each pound of butterfat.
- 0.0555 points for each day since the doe last kidded with a maximum of 19.98 points.
Standard size does need 100 points to earn a milk star and Nigerian Dwarfs and Pygmys need 35 points.
MDGA
Heights are measured but there are no disqualifications.
Point Calculation:
- 5.55 points for each pound of milk.
- 1.11 points for each pound of butterfat.
- 0.0555 points for each day since the doe last kidded.
Miniature Breeds need 70 points to earn a milk star and Nigerian Dwarfs need 55 points.
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