How to get started and what to expect

Upon application, you will be sent supplies and information to continue.  You will also have a small test to take, along with your tester, to show that you understand the testing procedure to be certified as able to do the testing. 

You will need a scale that weighs in .0 (tenths of a pound)  A digital postage scale can be used although a regular dairy scale would be better.

After your doe freshens, you milk into a clean bucket and weigh the milk.  After writing down the weight on the form, you would take a sample of milk and put in one of the supplied bottles to be sent to the lab for testing. 

After you have milked all the does, and added their milk to the bottles, you would then prepare the milk samples to be mailed to the lab.  The lab will test the milk and send the results to MDGA.  We will figure the amounts and send you a report showing what your animals have done.

Complete instructions and procedures will be sent to the herd owner after the herd is registered to be on test.

MDGA Milk Testing Rules

1.  Fees and forms must be sent to MDGA prior to beginning testing. Application must be made at least two weeks prior to beginning test.  Does with official milk test results completed prior to 2003 may fill out the application paperwork and send it in with the appropriate fees and the does individual test sheets for a star. 
2.  Does must be registered with MDGA.
3.  Paperwork will be sent monthly.
4.  No products or devices designed to enhance production or butterfat may be used, except those that are a part of normal daily care. (Example: adding sunflower seeds to the diet on a regular basis is normal daily care, adding a hormone before the test is not normal daily care).
5.  A Production Certificate will be issued to any doe qualifying for a production award.
6.  A test year is 305 days or less.
7.  A Production Star (*P) will be earned according to the Chart below.
8.  MDGA will recognize the Top 10 production records each year, provided minimum production is met.  All breeds will be combined unless there are more than 20 does of a breed on test.  If more than 20 does of a single Mini breed are on test, the Top 5 of that breed will be recognized separately.
9.  All Top 10 does (or Top 5) will have a verification test conducted by a different supervisor.  The rules for a verification test will be the same as for a one-day test.
10.  All does will need to be measured by your tester; the measurement will be included on the form sent to MDGA.
11.  Cost is $15.00 for a herd application plus $1.00 per doe for a new herd going on test.  Or $10.00 plus $1.00 for each doe for a renewing herd.
12.  Types of Testing
    1.  The following testing types are approved by MDGA:
         a. Standard test - A certified Supervisor tests herd each month, taking AM and PM weights and samples (Tester will be certified by MDGA).
         b. Group test - Conducted like a Standard test except the Supervisors one of a group of at least 3 people who test each other's herd.  All Supervisors must be certified testers.
         c. EOM - Owner tests and samples one month, Supervisor test and samples on alternating months.  Samples are taken as in Standard Test.    
        d. AMPM - Owner and Supervisor share testing and sampling, alternating AM and PM each month.
         e. Owner - Owner weighs and samples milk each testing. Owner must be certified as a tester.
    2.  All plans except Standard and Group require a verification test.  All verification testing is done at owners expense.
    3.  If verification test results deviate more than 5% from the previous month, a 2nd verification may be required.

 This is the lab that has agreed to do our testing.       Where to send samples (more information as well as supplies will be sent to you when you sign up for the program):

Northwest Labs/ Genex
150 Bridon Way
Jerome, ID 83338-6131

Click here for the Standard Test form for milk testing with MDGA

Following is a list showing the amount of milk required for a doe to earn a *P. 

AGE    MILK (lbs)   BUTTERFAT (lbs)

2.00<     990                 44.5
2.01       994                 44.7
2.02       998                 44.9
2.03      1002                45.1
2.04      1006                45.3
2.05      1010                45.5
2.06      1014                45.7
2.07      1018                45.9
2.08      1022                46.1
2.09      1026                46.3
2.10      1030                46.5
2.11      1034                46.7
3.00      1038                46.9
3.01      1042                47.1
3.02      1046                47.3
3.03      1050                47.5
3.04      1054                47.7
3.05      1058                47.9
3.06      1062                48.1
3.07      1066                48.3
3.08      1070                48.5
3.09      1074                48.7
3.10      1078                48.9
3.11      1082                49.1
4.00      1086                49.3
4.01      1090                49.5
4.02      1094                49.7
4.03      1098                49.9
4.04      1102                50.1
4.05      1106                50.3
4.06      1110                50.5
4.07      1114                50.7
4.08      1118                50.9
4.09      1122                51.1
4.10      1126                51.3
4.11      1130                51.5
5.00>    1134                        

One day milk testing

1.  Only certified testers may preside over a one-day test. (Check with  MDGA for a list of testers in your area)
2.  The doe must be on the premises where the test is held during the entire period of the test.
3.  Three milk outs will be conducted.  The first is a check with no samples taken.  Weight will be recorded, but not used to figure final score.
4.  Samples and weights will be taken from the second and third milk outs.  These will be used to figure final score.
5.  Weights and samples must be sent to High Desert Dairy Lab for butterfat testing.
6.  The original result sheet from the lab will be sent directly to MDGA after the butterfat has been added. 
7.  Each milk out will be 12 hours apart.
8.  Each doe will be officially measured by the tester. 
9.  A score of 45 points (figured to the thousandth place, rounded to the nearest whole number) will be required to receive a Production Star.(*P)
10.  Scores will be figured on the following formula:
   a.  Multiply pounds of milk by 5.55
   b.  Multiply pounds of milk by butterfat, times 1.11
   c.  Multiply days since freshening by .0555.
   d.  Add totals for final score.
   Example:  a doe fresh 43 days with 5.6 pounds of milk at 4% fat:
       a.  5.6 x 5.55 = 31.080
       b.  5.6 x 4.0 x 1.11 =  24.864
       c.  43 x .0555 =  2.3865 (rounded to 2.387)
       d.  31.080 + 24.864 + 2.387 = 58.332 (rounded to 58); Doe receives a Star.
11.  Fill out the One Day Test application and send with $10.00 herd fee to the coordinator prior to test date.
12. A certificate will be sent for any doe earning a Star after all fees and reports have been received.