The American Goat Society (AGS) is a purebred registry for dairy goats. The AGS was created in 1935 to maintain the "pedigrees and production records on purebred dairy goats." The purebred breeds accepted by the AGS are: French Alpine, Lamancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Pygmy, Saanen, Sable, Toggenburg. There are no "American" or "Experiment" grade goats in the AGS breed books.
Some of the services that the AGS provides are: registration, transfer, classification standards, dairy herd improvement (DHI) programs, show sanctions, annual shows and judges training and certification.
The AGS opened a herd book for Dwarf Nigerian in 1984 to distinguish the West African Dwarf (WAD) into two distinct breeds; pygmy goats (accepted as the 6th AGS breed in 1975) and Dwarf Nigerians. More AGS history is available here.
AGS provides a gestation calculator for standard and miniature breed of goats: Gestation Calculator
Below is a chart of AGS Milk Titles or Awards and their definitions, much of the information is taken from the following link: http://www.americangoatsociety.com/milkpail/dhi_rules_procedures.php
Some of the services that the AGS provides are: registration, transfer, classification standards, dairy herd improvement (DHI) programs, show sanctions, annual shows and judges training and certification.
The AGS opened a herd book for Dwarf Nigerian in 1984 to distinguish the West African Dwarf (WAD) into two distinct breeds; pygmy goats (accepted as the 6th AGS breed in 1975) and Dwarf Nigerians. More AGS history is available here.
AGS provides a gestation calculator for standard and miniature breed of goats: Gestation Calculator
Below is a chart of AGS Milk Titles or Awards and their definitions, much of the information is taken from the following link: http://www.americangoatsociety.com/milkpail/dhi_rules_procedures.php
| Award or Title | Definition |
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Grand Champion
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Awarded during an AGS sanctioned show, the winner of the class of all first place animals in that breed (A. K. A. Best of Breed).
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MCH
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A three time Grand Champion according to AGS guidelines.
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AR
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Advanced Registry recognition of dairy goats that have
met minimum production requirements by means of official DHI or DHIR
production testing. Advanced Registry = the cream of the AGS Registry (pun intended)
|
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ARMCH
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A title awarded to an AGS Master Champion with a DHIR AR program production title
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AR*D
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(AR Star Dam) A doe that has earned a star and AR title on 305 day (DHIR) test by meeting AR Star
Requirements for milk only, butterfat only or for both milk and butterfat. An AR *D used for a buck to inherit a star, must be for both milk and butterfat. |
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*D
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Three ways for a doe to recieve a "Star Dam":
1. Owner Sampler Testing-Does meeting the AGS AR Production Requirements while participating in the AGS owner/sampler program will earn a *D. This is through a Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) progam. 2. One Day Milk Test-By meeting the Star Program point requirements while participating in an AGS sanctioned One Day Test or an ADGA or CGS sanctioned One Day Test/Competition. 3. Progeny-A doe can earn her star through her progeny by one of the following means: A. The doe has produced three *D or AR *D daughters, B. The doe has produced two sons that earned their title of +S through either the AR or Star program or, C. The doe has produced two *D daughters that have earned their stars through either the AR or Star program, and one son that has earned his plus (+S) through either the AR or Star program. |
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*S
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A Star Sire is an inherited star and is:
1. A buck whose sire is a *S, +S, ++S, or ++*S and dam is a *D or an AR*D in both milk and butterfat or, 2. A buck whose dam is a *D or an AR *D in both milk and butter fat, and the sire’s dam is a *D or an AR *D in both milk and butter fat. |
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AR+S
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AR Herd sire is:
1. A buck that has three AR *D daughters out of three different dams or, 2. A buck that has 2 AR+S sons. |
|
+S
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A Plus Sire is earned by progeny.
1. A buck that has 3 *D out of three different does or, 2. A buck that has 2 +S sons or, 3. A buck that has 2 AR *D or *D daughters and 1 +S son |
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AR+*S
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An AR buck with an inherited star and a plus for 2 AR sons, or 3 AR daughters out of different dams.
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+*S
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A Plus Star Sire is both an inherited star and earned by progeny:
1. A buck whose sire is a *S, +S, ++S, or ++*S and dam is a *D or an AR*D in both milk and butterfat or, 2. A buck whose dam is a *D or an AR *D in both milk and butter fat, and the sire’s dam is a *D or an AR *D in both milk and butter fat. and 1. A buck that has 3 *D out of three different does or, 2. A buck that has 2 +S sons or, 3. A buck that has 2 AR *D or *D daughters and 1 +S son |
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AR++S
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AR plus Herd Sire is:
A buck that has earned one plus for 3 AR *D Daughters out of 3 different dams AND a plus for 2 AR +S sons. Bucks are limited to two pluses, one for daughters and one plus for sons. Both do not have to be earned at the same time. |
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++S
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A Plus Plus Sire is earned by progeny.
1. A buck that has 3 *D daughters out of three different does and 2 +S sons 2. A buck can only earn two pluses, one for sons and one for daughters. Both do not have to be earned at the same time. |
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AR++*S
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An AR buck with an inherited star and one plus for sons, and one plus for daughters out of three different dams.
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++*S
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A Plus Plus Star Sire is both an inherited star and earned by progeny:
1. A buck whose sire is a *S, +S, ++S, or ++*S and dam is a *D or an AR*D in both milk and butterfat or, 2. A buck whose dam is a *D or an AR *D in both milk and butter fat, and the sire’s dam is a *D or an AR *D in both milk and butter fat. and 1. A buck that has 3 *D daughters out of three different does and 2 +S sons 2. A buck can only earn two pluses, one for sons and one for daughters. Both do not have to be earned at the same time. |