In this post we take a look at how to complete first milk test paperwork and test day procedures. The first time you test your herd as an owner/sampler I suggest filling out the goat information paperwork a day or two before you actually collect milk samples. I made a few mistakes and had a lot of questions, so I am going to share based on what I did wrong and what I learned with a video.
How to Complete First Milk Test Paperwork
On the initial paperwork you will list each doe on milk test along with their registration numbers and the registration numbers of their sire and dam. This paperwork goes in with the first milk sample and only goes in one time.
As you can see in this example you list the registration number of doe on test, the date of birth, the sire and dam registration numbers and her barn name. because this is a bit tedious in my opinion, I suggest you fill this out a day or two ahead of when you actually complete your first test.
The video below covers the basic test day paperwork you will fill out each time. Below you will see a picture of the additional paperwork you will fill out the first time your herd is on test. This is not annual, rather it has been one time only based on my experience. After every collection and milk samples are submitted you will receive new sheets to fill out for the next test.
Test Day Procedures Milking, Weighing and Collecting Samples
On test day you will collect milk samples from the morning milking and the evening milking or from an evening miking and morning miking. These are up to you but the 2 samples collected need to be back-to-back milkings. I find it easiest to collect all samples on one day and collect first in the morning and second in the evening.
Needed materials for test day.
- Milk bucket
- Calibrated official scales*
- Ladle
- Labeled collection vials
- Paper and pen to record weights and times
- Official paperwork to fill out
- an ink pen
*Your calibrated scales will come from your affiliate associate. Also note: the collection vials contain a small orange bead to preserve the milk sample. This is toxic to cats and other animals.
Collection Procedure
Prior to beginning the milking and collection, label each vial with the corresponding number of the goat. I like to use a separate notebook to record the goats barn name, and number with two columns to record am and pm weights. Either above or below I document start and stop times, am or pm.
I like to keep this separate documentation in the event I need to reference in the future, and it keeps the official paperwork clean. Later, I transfer this information to the official paperwork later before mailing in the samples. I use a barn notebook where I document all the barn happenings. I reserve some space in that book just for milk testing documentation.
Once these are set up and the vials are in a safe place nearby, I proceed with the following steps:
- Milk the goat
- Weigh the milk with the calibrated scale
- Record the weight
- Stir/Mix the milk
- Scoop out the milk sample
- Pour milk into the sample vial
There are nice lines on the plastic sample vials to help. Store until next milking or mailing. (1/2 for first milking and fill it for the second milking).
I then proceed to the next goat until all are milked.
The samples do not go in a refrigerator, and should not be in extremely warm temperatures exposed to direct sunlight.
The day of your verification test you will not be recording weights or collecting the samples your VT will do those steps. Your only job that day is to milk the goats, handing the milk to the certified verification tester. That person will keep the milk samples in his or her possession at all times.
Before mailing the samples be sure to fill out the official paperwork recording the weights and other information using an ink pen.
Mailing the Samples
Indiana Dairy Association gives milk testers the option to prepay for mailing labels through the UPS. I have always used this option. One it saves money and two the convenience of attaching a label and only needing to drop off the box.
The milk sample vials are returned to the box in order. The first vial needs your herd code written on the side of the bottle. The milk samples are mailed to a lab along with the official paperwork you filled out. A copy of the paperwork is sent to the state dairy association. Here in Indiana, you have the option to email or snail mail the paperwork to the associate. I prefer email as it is faster and gets you the results faster.
Your affiliate associate will provide you with material explaining details of what milk test day includes. Be sure to read through all their provided instructions. Especially if you are working with a different affiliate than I am, they may have slightly different policies and ways of carrying out the paperwork and mailing. But either way read through all the information provided to you.
Again, when your herd is on a Verification Test the certified tester will mail the official sheets and samples to the lab along with the information that goes to the affiliate associate.
This wraps up what a test day entails. Generally, within 1 to 3 days after sending the samples to the lab you will have your test results. Look for a post on reading and understanding lab results in a future post.
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