Vermont DHIA

Other non-standard or labor-efficient test plans are also available. Such plans may include combinations of owner-sample and technician-assisted testing. Such combinations may occur by alternating use of Technician Services and Owner-Samples services each test-day or using Technician Services for one or more milkings and Owner-Sample Services on one or more milkings during the same test-day.

Herds may choose to take milkweights every test-day, but sample for butterfat and protein and/or SCC less frequently.

Herds testing using the AM/PM option can choose to test either all AM or all PM milkings instead of alternating on consecutive test-days.  This option can skew component (fat and protein) and production results, since "factors" used to estimate the milking not tested assume milkings will be alternated on each test-day.

Each of these options may have different costs associated with them and may or may not negatively affect DCR values, as compared to more traditional test plans. Please contact us if you are interested in a non-standard test plan.