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How to Send DNA through ADGA
Per ADGA, any bucks born after Jan 1, 2024 must have DNA on file before any of their kids can be registered. It is important to have ALL bucks on file if possible to prevent parentage issues many years down the road, which could affect generations and generations of goats. Nigerian Dwarfs have no grading up process so if there was an issue that couldn't be resolved ALL descendants could lose their registration papers, unfortunately. Accidents can always happen. DNA is also required if you have a split litter with multiple fathers. Some people like to have their does on file as an extra precaution. Since it is so important (and now required), here is a summary on how to do it!
1. Submit a Jotform on ADGA here
Using the jotform on ADGA, fill out your information, make sure you have funds in your account (currently $35 per sample) or have ADGA plus DNA's available, and enter the information for each animal you are testing. You can DNA test unregistered goats by following the included instructions. The only required DNA is the "Individual Only but parents checked if on file" option. Some may want to check their goats milk caseins or for Scrapie's, etc.
2. Receive DNA Kit Information to your email
A few days after your Jotform is sent, you will receive your DNA kits in your email with their Sample IDs and sample label you will need. If you're goat has a parent already on file, you will receive both an individual typing and a parentage verification kit. You will use the parentage verification form if available. These forms and labels will need to be printed.
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Individual Typing Form
Parentage Verification Form
Label to affix to envelope
3. Collect Hair Samples!
You will need to collect hair samples from your goat. We like to place them in a smaller envelope that will be labeled and put into the 9x4 envelope later. Some may prefer to fold the hairs into a small piece of aluminum foil. Do not put them into a plastic baggy or something that may attract humidity and impact the quality of the samples. To collect the samples you can use tweezers or plyers. We prefer plyers to get it over with at once, rather than plucking repeatedly with tweezers. You must pull 20-40 hairs with the hair bulb still intact. It is best to pull in areas where the hair is longer such as along the back, rump, tail, or the back of the rear legs. The area can be combed to make sure it is free of debris before plucking. Make sure there are no hairs from previous goats left on your tweezers or plyers, but do not use chemicals to clean them between goats. They could degrade the sample. You may want to wear gloves. Try not to touch the hairs with your fingers.
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Ensure the majority of the balls (bulbs) at the base of the hairs are intact.
4. Label the sample envelope
We place our hair samples in a smaller envelope that can fit inside a 9x4. The smaller envelope is then labelled with the animal's name, ADGA registration number, Sample ID Number (Use parentage if available, individual if not), and their tattoo number.
5. Prepare 9x4 Envelope
The smaller envelope is placed in a 9x4 envelope along with a printed DNA kit form you received through email. Again, only the parentage verification form is needed if you received one because a parent is on file. If one is not on file, you will only receive the individual typing form which is what you will place in the envelope. Then, the label you received under the forms are affixed to the outside of the envelope.
Form that goes into 9x4 envelope
Labeled envelopes
5. Prepare For Mailing
Place all of your 9x4 envelopes for your goats into a larger manila envelope and label the envelope with your information and the mailing information included on the DNA forms. DNA is mailed to UC Davis, not ADGA.
6. Mail and Get Your Results!
After mailing you will receive your DNA results after about 3-6 weeks or it could take up to several months. It is a good idea to complete DNA long before you will need it for kidding season to account for wait time. You will receive the results by email confirming or denying parentage verification if available, or confirming individual typing is on file. Please note you may not receive results at the same time for all samples sent at the same time. You are done. Yay!
Storage: Don't need to send the DNA right now?
You can store hair samples for future DNA for many years using envelopes and/or a paper file folder in a dry, dark area. Do not use plastic baggies as they attract moisture. This is good to have on all of the goats you have owned, particularly on any male goats that have lived on your property, even if you think you won't need it. Here is a link to a good file folder for this purpose.
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