Why Did The ADGA Decide to Require DNA on All Registered Bucks?
The ADGA originally was going to implement a plan to have all bucks DNA'ed if you wanted to register their offspring in 2023. They have postponed this plan until 2024 due to the issues with their computer system and how far behind on awarding stars and championships. There are many clients of theirs that are upset with this plan, so why did they do it? Dishonesty in breeders is the short answer. Unfortunately, several breeders (including some top breeding lines) were dishonest with who the sire was when they registered and sold offspring. Could you imagine if you paid top dollar for a buck, grew your entire herd on that buck, only to find out that buck's sire wasn't who they said it was. This would leave you without a way to register your kids unless you could find the "real" sire and get him DNA'ed. This happened to more then one farm in the US. In 2019, the ADGA Premier Sire's lineage also wasn't who they said he was! So, since breeder's chose not to DNA when they were in doubt, or they were just plain dishonest in order to sell their kids for higher prices, they now are making everyone DNA the bucks that are going to have registered kids in order to prevent more of this mess.
Are there any other reason's DNA'ing buck kids was approved? Yes, quality. Especially in the Nigerian Dwarf breed. There are so many breeders that just sell everything registered because they can. These can be very poor quality "pet" bucks that should be wethered. When you have to invest in DNA'ing each buck sold - this will weed out many of the "pet" bucks getting registered. I will say, when I first started breeding, there were acouple bucks I regret registering. If I knew then what I know now, they would have been wethered. If I would have had to DNA these bucks though - I never would have sold them registered - so that helps even new comers make wiser decisions based on their pocket book alone. Hopefully this decision will help clear out some of the Nigerian Dwarf "pet" breeders out there that do not care about bettering the breed (which is the purpose of breeding). That is why you have Nigerian Dwarf's that produce 1/2c of milk and some that produce 2 quarts of milk. With all the "pet" breeders out there, the 1/2c milk is a common sight, but this should be lessoned greatly by this decision.
So How Do I DNA My Goat?
Step #2: Scroll down to the "Performance Program's Section" and you will see the option "DNA Order Form - Online". Click that.
Step #3: Fill out your information.
Step #4: Pick payment option. If you are an ADGA Plus member you will get three discounted DNA a year. You will also want to select what year you are applying the discounted to if you are an ADGA member.
Step #5: Enter the goat's information. If you know the sire of the goat, register that animal online first, once you get their registration number , request the DNA to be complete. You will get the animal's registration paper's quicker this option. If you do not know the sire then you will need to enter the tattoo, date of birth, sex, and breed of the goat you are DNAing. When you get the results back you will want to mail that in with the registration papers for that animal.
Test Requested: You will want to check DNA. There are other options that are listed and I will give a brief description of each incase they are option you would like to add in.
G-6-S is for Nubians. It is a genetic condition that if carried the animal should not be bred.
Alpha S1 Casein. This is a great option for cheese makers and those more sensitive to milk. It lets you know what type Casein your goat produces.
Scrapie Variant: This lets you know if your goat is more susceptible to scrapies. Some goat's are genetically more immune to scrapies.
Check if you have already completed a DNA before. My guess is this one is for those whose sire of the animal was not in the DNA system but now it is. That is a guess as I am not sure the purpose to DNA twice beside's that.
A Buck Collection is when a buck has had straws collected they take a DNA sample to verify it is indeed who they say it is before it is banked and can be used.
You will want to keep the "hair" sample clicked.
Step #6: Within a few day's you should receive an email from the ADGA with the DNA Form. You will want to print that out. One will say to mail into the ADGA, but you no longer have to do that. The other form (shown below) is for the DNA lab and should not be written on. I have received two different form's. One is shown in the video below. The other is the picture attached below. This sample is a goat that I did not know the sire (even though I am 99% who the sire is I still DNA - because it is right) so the information for this animal is it's tattoo, DOB, etc.
Step #7: Collect the DNA, mail in, and wait for results
Step #8: Result's will come in an email. Right now they are out 5-6 weeks but it took many many months before to get results. If your animal is already registered, you need to do nothing. If it is not, then print results and attach with their paper's to be registered and mail into the ADGA.
***Disclaimer: We are simple farmers and not veterinarians. This is for informational purposes only. What we do on our farm may not be what is best for your farm so please do your own research. This is not intended to replace professional veterinary and/or medical advice. We disclaim all liability in connection with the use of these products and/or information.