DNA TYPING PROGRAM
ADGA’s DNA TYPING PROGRAM is an opportunity to identify specific genetic information about individual goats at a cost benefit arranged for ADGA members.
Starting January 1, 2024, all bucks that are born must have DNA on file before any of their own offspring can be registered with the American Dairy Goat Association. DNA typing is not required prior to registration of the buck himself. You can find out more here.
Benefits of DNA typing
- The DNA typing service is a permanent record of identification of individual animals and if parents are tested then the record also includes parent qualification information. Breed improvement and selection programs require accurate pedigree information which can assist in avoiding extreme inbreeding and increasing production profit.
- Registry integrity can be maintained through the random sampling programs as a benefit to members as the registry incurs costs.
- If you have a doe or buck you are breeding replacements from, a buck that you hope will become a sire of daughters in other herds, an elite sire, or one that may become ‘famous’, a DNA profile could be invaluable for identifying later progeny.
- It is also useful to have a record of the DNA profile for all natural mating sires that you are using with first fresheners and can be particularly useful if the bucks are going off-farm at the end of the breeding season, as you may not have another chance to get a sample for testing such bucks.
- DNA typing can provide parentage verification for sales, or breeding/kidding situations that may not result in an assured sire or dam.
- DNA typing can increase an animal’s worth as well as the value of the herd and extends assurance in business transactions.
- DNA typing on file could potentially be used to trace stolen animals or could be used for future genetic testing for valuable economic traits or different animal disorders.
- G-6-S , Alpha S-1 Casein typing, and Scrapie variant testing, can provide information that may be important to your breeding program.
- DNA Typing is not currently being used to identify breed. DNA tests are being used to identify parentage from a few known possibilities and for pedigree verification. They are also being used to identify disorders.
- Genetic Conditions Policy
Sampling Options
- Information on providing the sample can be found at Sampling Instructions
- Owners will be notified by the ADGA office regarding the results of the DNA typing tests. All information concerning the DNA types of specific individuals is confidential and remains the property of ADGA.