tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522808723968491976.post727691816875236515..comments2023-11-05T01:17:10.380-07:00Comments on Kinder® Communique': Milk Testing Kinder Communique'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10340449473498506229noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522808723968491976.post-35827277546905498622013-03-11T13:19:48.040-07:002013-03-11T13:19:48.040-07:00Sue is right that Official Milk Test is the surest...Sue is right that Official Milk Test is the surest way to prove what our Kinder does can do -and I participated for 19 years. What you now have to consider, however, is just how much information you want the USDA to have on your herd. I stopped milk test for only one reason - several years ago DHIA made an agreement with the USDA to turn over all information collected from participating herds to the USDA. The announcement of the agreement was published in our county's Annual DHIA Report. I was not willing to be that 'sharing' with all the details of my herd.<br /><br />Be aware of that, right up front, if you choose to participate in official milk test. If that is not a concern for you, by all means, do participate. The information that you gather will be invaluable. Keeping your daily barn records is an excellent idea as well, and a collection of consistent records is usually enough to 'sell' your production if you have established the reputation of being honest and reliable. It is possible to get periodic lab testing done (through a DHIA Lab)to determine butterfat and protein without being enrolled in the full milk test program.<br /><br />My tests were all submitted through the DHIA lab in Provo, Utah (I'm in WA)<br /><br />Pat S. - WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com