Getting Started With Your Herd on DHIR MILK TEST Through ADGA

You see it all the time…Folks say, “I want to sign up for DHIR, but I am so overwhelmed by all the information! I tried reading the guides and I am more confused than when I started!”

Let’s simplify. There’s no sheet that could teach you all the finer points of DHIR in a readily digestible form. You’re going to get a bunch of data and that data can help you make decisions about breeding and management. But as every set of data, every owner, every doe, every property, every lactation, and every test will have it’s own factors the learning curve associated with your new data is just one ride you have to get on - hang on - and enjoy.

The goal of this page is to help you take the first steps. Let’s get you to your first test because your first test gets you to your first batch of data. The steps below do not need to be done in any specific order except for becoming an ADGA member. You can do the rest of them in any order you like, or generally all at once.

Sign Up With ADGA

Before you sign up for DHIR you do need to have an ADGA membership if you’re intending to have your milk records shared with ADGA for the purposes of earning ADGA awards - such as stars and Top Ten - for your does. Got your membership squared away? Great! Next step.

Pick A Lab/DHIA

Here is a list of DHIA’s who are affiliated with ADGA that you can use as your lab. I personally use Central Counties DHIA. This is where you will send your milk samples and your test day paperwork. Reach out to the lab you choose and let them know you’re just getting started, that you are doing DHIR through ADGA, and that you would like to obtain a herdcode. Your lab assigns your herdcode. Your lab also sends you the test day forms you need as well as the empty milk test tubes you will use for sending your milk samples. There is typically a process to join a DHIA, such as a form and an annual fee.

Pick a Record Processing Center

You’ll need to choose a DRPC who is responsible for processing all of your milk records. They will communicate between ADGA, your lab/DHIA, and the CDCB and USDA database. There are 4 to choose from. AgSource, Amelicor (DHI Provo), DRMS Raleigh and AgriTech Analytics. Once again, make contact and just let them know you’re new to DHIR through ADGA and you plan to use them as your DRPC. Years and years ago when I first got started, I sent a quick email to AgriTech Analytics and the rest was history.

Pick a Test Type

There sure are a lot of them, aren’t there? This is more individual as far as the required choices go. You can start off by figuring out if you’ll be group testing - having multiple herds each test one another in a round-robin sort of fashion, or if you’ll be doing owner sampler testing where you yourself will do the majority of your weights and samples, with a verification tester conducting your verification test, or if you will have a regular tester and an additional verification tester. I have a regular tester and an additional verification tester, I also am the regular tester for other herds, and the verification tester for yet other herds. My herd is on ITP 02 also labelled as 02 DHI-APCS. This is a very standard and easy test that allows my does to qualify for all milk reward programs through ADGA provided they meet the criteria. Take some time to review the test types and select the one that works best for your herd.

Signing Up For DHIR With ADGA

You will go ahead and sign up for DHIR with ADGA. Hop on over to their online form and fill it out. You’ll need to know a few things to complete this form.
There is a field for a Herdcode. If you don’t have one - either contact your lab or leave it blank. Totally fine to leave it blank. You’ll need to have chosen a lab and a DRPC to complete the ADGA sign up form - however - you do not need to have already contacted your lab or processing center to complete the ADGA form! As long as you know who you will be using, you’re good to go on completing this step.

That’s it! Right? We’re done!?

Okay, maybe a few more things…

Get a scale, and get it calibrated by your lab. Here is a simple $20 scale that is easy to use. Save the box it comes in so you can ship it to your lab for calibration before your first test.

Now ship it to your lab and get it calibrated - and do that once a year. Contact your lab ahead for any form or fee associated with scale calibration.

It’s good to have a stainless steel bucket with a handle for transferring and weighing milk as well as a ladle for stirring and for collecting milk samples.

Ask your lab for milk sample tubes, if they have not already mailed you some, and how they would like your samples packed and shipped to them.

Do you need to be a certified tester? Not all herd owners on DHIR need to be certified testers, but you may need to be one if you are on Owner Sampler or your plan calls for you to take weights or submit samples. You likely need to be a certified tester if you are in a group test and it’s your responsibility to perform tester duties for another herd in your group. Contact your lab/DHIA about their tester certification protocol and become a certified tester, make sure to renew your tester status every other year. Even if you don’t have to be a certified tester, I strongly encourage that you request the tester learning material to study just for good measure! The more you know ;)

Helpful link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbvEMQ2Fjkk