A “farm name” may be the informal or incorporated name for your farm. However, “farm name” is not a term used by the American Dairy Goat Association regarding your account, membership, or dairy goats. When becoming a member of ADGA you will be deciding on a “membership name” and possibly a “herd name.” Every membership that includes member rates for registrations will also be choosing or receiving a tattoo for goats born on their farm, sometimes referred to as a “herd tattoo.”
FARM NAMES AND MEMBERSHIPS
If your goats are owned by individuals, you will be choosing a membership which will be in your personal name or the names of the individuals in the membership. If your goats are owned by a business and not individuals, your membership could be a Joint Business account in the name of your farm or business if the name is available. Creating a membership in a name other than personal names is automatically considered a Joint Business membership.
Before choosing a membership, you should be aware of the privileges and limitations of each ADGA membership type. If you are creating a Joint Business membership in the name of your farm, ADGA will refer to it as your “membership name.”
See “How to Choose an ADGA Membership” to learn more about membership type privileges and limitations.
FARM NAMES AND HERD NAMES
A herd name is available for purchase in addition to membership and identifies the one who owned the dam at the time of breeding. The person who owned the dam at the time she was bred is considered the breeder and it is always the breeder’s herd name that becomes part of the kid’s names.
That herd name may or may not be the same as a name you use to identify your farm. Chances are, some of your first choices may already be in use. Once you establish a reputation as a quality breeder through show wins, milk production records and Linear Appraisal scores, the herd name takes on its own importance. Having a herd name that matches the name of your farm is far less important than breeding quality goats that are documented to be exceptional through ADGA programs.
See “How to Name a Dairy Goat” to learn more about herd names.
FARM NAMES AND HERD TATTOOS
Every dairy goat must be tattooed before it will be accepted for registry or recordation. A specific tattoo may be requested when a membership application is completed or a tattoo of ADGA’s choice will be assigned. Your tattoo used on all dairy goats born on your farm is sometimes referred to as a “herd tattoo.”
While a “membership” and a “herd name” are composed of names, your tattoo will be a combination of letters and numbers. Your tattoo is valid while your membership is current. If your membership is not renewed, your tattoo may be given to a new member.
For more details and instructions for tattooing see “ADGA Tattoo Policy & How to Tattoo a Dairy Goat.”