Author: Elizabeth Henning, Chair  ADGA Genetic Advancement Committee This article will focus on the steps a breeder needs to take to obtain the genetic information on his/her own goats that will enable use of the numbers to make genetic progress. Two terms used in genetics that are important to understand are “phenotype” and “genotype.”  Put […]

By learning to use Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) you can effectively plan breedings to improve specific traits in a dairy goat’s progeny. Learn how this works and how you can begin using this valuable information.

 ADGA – Helen Staver Foundation Website The Name The Foundation is named after Helen Staver who was a founding member of the Southern Vermont Dairy Goat in 1945. Helen was an enthusiastic dairy goat breeder raising a herd of Nubians in Marlboro, Vermont.  She, along with co-founder Harlen Covey, helped establish the Southern Vermont Dairy […]

The base date for computing the age of the animal shall be the day the animal is to be judged unless otherwise stated by a Fair board in its rules governing livestock.  JUNIOR DIVISION – (JUNIOR DOE Show OR Junior Division of COMBINED JR./SR. DOE Show) The Junior Division consists of does under 24 months […]

1. Always fill out the Report of Awards in its entirety for each breed at the time of the judging of that breed, even though there may not be ten animals competing. Never write “not enough competing” across that section of the report as it is important that we have all the information required on the report. We […]

 Goat Product Recipes   Food Recipes: Chevre Balls Cajeta Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Quick Vegetable Pasta Apple-Cinnamon Pastry Kefir and Lemon Cookies Chevre and Crab Poppers Strawberry Cheese Bruschetta   Soap Recipes: Goat Milk Soap

ADGA is pleased to be a member of a number of organizations and provide representation on behalf of the ADGA membership and the dairy goat industry.  Below are current affiliations.  You will be leaving ADGA.org when you visit the websites linked to learn more about the organizations. American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners American Cheese Society […]

ADGA Genetics is a website developed by Gene Dershewitz in cooperation with ADGA. Below are some tools provided on that site. You will be leaving ADGA’s main website when you go to the ADGA Genetics site. Production Search through Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) data modeled by CDCB from years of DHI production test records for […]

The Purebred Sable Herd Book Sire and Dam are both Purebred Saanen and the animal meets Sable breed standard. Sire and Dam are both Purebred Sable and the animal meets Sable breed standard. In addition, the purebred herd book will be open, just as the LaMancha purebred herd book is. This means that when an […]

To re-register your AGS or CGS animals with ADGA, you will send their original AGS/CGS certificates, any transfer records (which you can obtain from AGS) & an ADGA application, with the correct fee, to the ADGA office.

This information is provided as a guideline/faq to members and other interested persons using artificial insemination in an ADGA breeding program.  These requirements will be of interest to: Purchasers of frozen semen Breeders using artificial insemination practices Marketers of frozen semen Semen processors It is the responsibility of anyone planning to register ADGA dairy goats […]

Listing a parent as “unknown” is acceptable in some situations, such as a doe from the sale barn being recorded as a Native on Appearance and the animal conforms to one of the breeds currently registered by the American Dairy Goat Association. It is also acceptable if a doe has been exposed to multiple bucks […]

Johne’s (“YO-knees”) disease is a fatal gastrointestinal disease of goats and other ruminants (including cattle, sheep, elk, deer, and bison) that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Also known as paratuberculosis, this infection is contagious, which means it can spread in your herd.       Johne’s Disease Q&A for Goat […]

Deciding to turn a hobby goat herd into a working dairy can seem like a daunting task. On the other hand, by contacting the right people the job can become easier. The first place you should go is your state’s dairy division. They have the rules and regulations to live by as well as great […]

Success in securing a lasting tattoo mark depends entirely upon the operator. A few simple rules must be observed: Halter or muzzle the animal, if necessary. Cleanse the area to be tattooed with alcohol to remove dirt, grease, and wax. Insert the correct symbols in the pliers and press the thin rubber sponge pad down […]

On a worldwide basis, more people drink the milk of goats than any other single animal. A dairy doe should be milked in the same manner as a dairy cow, using good dairy hygiene. Does may be milked by hand or machine. The milk requires the same careful attention to cleanliness and cooling as any […]

Helen (Cummings) Hunt: Exemplary Dairy Goat Breeder Helen Hunt remains, even after her death, one of the finest of examples for other breeders of dairy goats in America and especially so for all members of the American Dairy Goat Association. The ADGA Distinguished Service Award was re-established in her name in 1995 as the Helen […]

The Mary Farley Award By Shari Reyna While most ADGA members are aware of the Mary L. Farley Award that is occasionally bestowed upon individuals or groups who have contributed very significantly to the dairy goat industry, many are not aware of the reason she was honored, only a month after her death, by creation […]