Milk Recording & DHIA Programs

What Are Milk Recording Programs?

Milk recording programs, often called DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association), provide official measurement and recording of individual cow milk production, components (fat, protein, SCC), and other metrics. These programs use certified sampling and laboratory analysis to generate reliable data for genetic evaluations, herd management, and benchmarking.

Why Participate in Milk Recording?

Official milk records serve multiple purposes beyond basic production tracking. They provide the foundation for genetic improvement programs, help identify management opportunities, and offer benchmarking against other herds.

Key Benefits

• Genetic improvement: Official records contribute to national genetic evaluations and genomic predictions
• Individual cow management: Identify high and low performers for breeding, culling, and grouping decisions
• Quality monitoring: Track SCC trends at the cow level to manage udder health
• Benchmarking: Compare your herd's performance to regional and national averages
• Breeding proof: Required for registered cattle and performance documentation

Types of Testing Programs

Official DHIA Testing

The gold standard for milk recording. Certified technicians collect samples on scheduled test days. Data is processed through approved labs and contributes to national databases. Required for breed registry programs.

Owner-Sampler Programs

Farm personnel collect samples following DHIA protocols. Lab analysis is still official, but collection is on-farm. Lower cost than supervisor testing but requires proper training.

Component Testing Only

Some farms test only for components (fat, protein, SCC) without recording individual cow production. Useful for quality monitoring and payment verification.

Testing Frequency Options

• Monthly testing: Most common; 12 tests per year provide comprehensive data
• 6x testing: Every other month; reduces cost while maintaining reasonable accuracy
• 4x testing: Quarterly; minimum for useful production records

Do You Need Milk Recording?

Consider official milk recording if:

• You sell breeding stock and need production documentation
• You participate in breed association programs
• You want accurate data for genetic and culling decisions
• You're interested in benchmarking against other herds
• Your herd management software benefits from official data

Cost Considerations

DHIA testing costs $3-8 per cow per test, depending on program type and services included. Annual costs for a 100-cow herd range from $3,600-9,600 for monthly testing. Many farms find the value in management insights and genetic improvement justifies the expense.