Published vs. Non-Published
All Vermont DHIA members have the option of being "published" or "non-published". There is no fee associated with either option and neither option has any impact on your DCR.Published herds have their current rolling herd average (including milk, fat, and protein) published in the Country Folks - a regional agricultural newspaper/magazine - monthly. Country Folks lists are published by state and show the top 40 herds in each county, determined by rolling herd average protein. Published herds are also eligible for year-end awards and recognition if they meet certain production levels. All "published" herds with herd averages will be published at their annual regional meeting.
Herds that do not wish to have their herd averages published, may choose the Non-Published option. Non-Published herds are not eligible for year-end awards or other recognition.
Herds may choose to switch between published and non-published options on test-day. Ask your DHIA Technician to make the switch and also contact our main office to alert us of the change.
Disclosure
All herds must decide how their records are used outside of their farm by choosing a disclosure method - Open, Limited, or No Disclosure. There is no charge for any of these three disclosure methods. Herds that choose "No Disclosure" will not have any records shared and no DCR values for their animals.Full/Open Disclosure is defined as unrestricted access by any party interested in viewing the Herd and Cow Pages. All DHI Records produced under this option are provided to the Genetic Evaluation Program.
Limited Disclosure restricts access of Herd and Cow Pages to allied partners for defined purposes. These purposes may include validating the records and/or conducting appropriate research. All DHI records produced under this option are provided to the Genetic Evaluation Program. (Allied partners include the National Association of Animal Breeders, Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, USDA-ARS-AIPL, National DHIA and member Affiliates.)
No Disclosure - DHI records are for your own use only and will not be provided to the Genetic Evaluation Program.
Herds may switch between disclosure methods at any time by signing a new Records Disclosure Policy Agreement. Contact our main office for a copy of the agreement.
