Performance Programs
This section is specifically geared towards dairy goats.
DHIR (Milk Testing)
DHIR (Dairy Herd Improvement Registry) is a program that tests the quantity and quality of milk regularly produced by a specific doe. The program also collects genetic data. Sires can also win awards based on the production data of daughters. Registries like the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and the American Goat Society (AGS) have specific requirements to participate and to win awards based on production. For specific requirements visit ADGA or AGS.
Linear Appraisal & AGS Classification
Both ADGA and AGS have a system for scoring a doe or buck against the ideal breed standards. In each, an appraiser comes to evaluate each animal in your herd and apply a scorecard to the animal to come up with a number which represents the percentage points an animal earns when scored against the ideal dairy goat. A perfect score is 100, which has never and will never happen, because there is no such thing as a perfect goat. Visit ADGA to learn about Linear Appraisals, and visit AGS to learn more about AGS Classification programs.
DNA & Typing
The DNA typing service is a permanent record of identification of individual animals. Collection of hair follicles creates a DNA record of a specific animal. For some breeds, there are typing programs such as G-6-S and Alpha S-1 Casein typing, which can provide information that may be important to your breeding program with regard to milk and cheesemaking properties.
ADGA Genetics
ADGA provides a website where you can see all the accumulated data on animals, try out breedings (on paper) to see how breeding might go based on accumulated data, and access USDA and production records of registered animals. You can look up any ADGA registered animal at www.adgagenetics.org
Now let's learn about how to read pedigrees...
This section is specifically geared towards dairy goats.
DHIR (Milk Testing)
DHIR (Dairy Herd Improvement Registry) is a program that tests the quantity and quality of milk regularly produced by a specific doe. The program also collects genetic data. Sires can also win awards based on the production data of daughters. Registries like the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and the American Goat Society (AGS) have specific requirements to participate and to win awards based on production. For specific requirements visit ADGA or AGS.
Linear Appraisal & AGS Classification
Both ADGA and AGS have a system for scoring a doe or buck against the ideal breed standards. In each, an appraiser comes to evaluate each animal in your herd and apply a scorecard to the animal to come up with a number which represents the percentage points an animal earns when scored against the ideal dairy goat. A perfect score is 100, which has never and will never happen, because there is no such thing as a perfect goat. Visit ADGA to learn about Linear Appraisals, and visit AGS to learn more about AGS Classification programs.
DNA & Typing
The DNA typing service is a permanent record of identification of individual animals. Collection of hair follicles creates a DNA record of a specific animal. For some breeds, there are typing programs such as G-6-S and Alpha S-1 Casein typing, which can provide information that may be important to your breeding program with regard to milk and cheesemaking properties.
ADGA Genetics
ADGA provides a website where you can see all the accumulated data on animals, try out breedings (on paper) to see how breeding might go based on accumulated data, and access USDA and production records of registered animals. You can look up any ADGA registered animal at www.adgagenetics.org
Now let's learn about how to read pedigrees...
Go To Understanding Pedigrees or Choose From the Menu Below