The purpose of the One Day Milking Competition is for your doe to earn her ST Milking Star. It is based on points earned from volume, days past freshening, and butterfat. It is not easy to earn a star this way. The only other way to earn a star is to milk and test for 8 months. Stars carry through the generations. If a doe's dam (2*M) and grand dam (1*M) all have stars, when she earns her star, she will be a 3*M. That shows that you have a goat with good milking lineage. The does have proven themselves to be good milkers.

 

You can read about the One Day Milking Competition in the ADGA Handbook on page 76. There are about one million words and you'll still have no idea how to do it!

​

Here is a link to a calculator for this test to help you determine if your doe might possibly earn her star this way.. http://nigeriandwarfgoats.net/StarCalculations.php

 

Fill out the form (more info on that below) and submit to the ADGA. https://adga.org/forms/official-milking-competition/

​

I suggest emailing it to performanceprograms@adga.org. You can mail it, but if you do, make sure you keep a post office receipt. The USPS is terrible. If the ADGA doesn't receive the form, you can't do your competition. If you submit your form more than 30 days before the competition, it costs $25. If less than 30 days, it costs $50. Also, if you know anything about the ADGA, then you know that if you need to call them, you will most likely be on hold for 1-2 HOURS. Yes, HOURS.

​

You need to find a lab, which is called a "Regional Affiliate."

https://adga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/REGIONAL-AFFILIATES6-22-22.pdf

You don't have to use the one in your state. Some of these "affiliates" are horrible about answering the phone, returning calls, or helping you out. The "regional affiliate" is the same person as your "Supervisor" and they might help you find your "Tester." You might also be able to find a tester through other goat owners in your area who are on test or possibly ag extension.

​

You will need to schedule the date with your tester, get his information, and add that to your form.

Once your form is submitted and approved, the ADGA will remove the $25 fee from your online account and send you the forms to print out for your tester.

​

You will need a scale that is DHIA approved. It cannot be over one year old, so save the receipt. If your scale is more than one year old it must be re-calibrated. In my area the cost to re-calibrate is more than the cost to buy a new one.

https://hambydairysupply.com/hanging-weigh-scale-110-lbs/

​

Your tester will come out in the evening and watch you milk out your goats on test. (Take the kids off the doe)

He will return in the morning, take measurements, and collect samples.

He will return in the evening, take measurements, and collect samples.

Your tester will send your samples to the lab.

The lab will send the results to the ADGA.

You will need to pay your tester and the lab.

​

(You could do the test: Morning, Evening, Morning)

Tips:

1. Most of the points come from volume. They don't really get that much for days past freshening. So, you need to be getting about a quart per milking to make the score.

2. First fresheners give less milk, so your doe may perform better on her 2nd or 3rd freshening.

3. Does make more milk if they have more than one kid.

4. Does make less milk when it is hot.

5. Study the lactation curve.

6. Does test better if their kids are nursing. Of course, you have to take the kids off for the test.

​

​

​

I hope this helps! Good Luck!!

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​