Those Confusing Symbols!
Symbols relating to milk production.
There is no greater or lesser value between ADGA and AGS production awards, and no additional value accrues to having both ADGA and AGS awards. The two are interchangeable because the registries cooperate in recognizing each other's awards.
Only the letters change, with ADGA using M and B, while AGS uses D and S.
In each case below, I have given the ADGA designation first, with the eqivalent AGS term in brackets.
ADGA PRODUCTION AWARDS
Link to the ADGA Guidebook: DGA Official Testing Rules start on Pg 47, and designations are explained on Pg 61.
AGS PRODUCTION AWARDS
Link to the official AGS Production Awards site
*M (*D) - a doe who has earned an award for:
#*M (#*D) - a doe who has an unbroken matrilineal line of * awards for production.
*B (*S) - buck, an inherited designation:
+B (+S) - buck, earned through progeny:
++B (++S) - earned through progeny:
There is no greater or lesser value between ADGA and AGS production awards, and no additional value accrues to having both ADGA and AGS awards. The two are interchangeable because the registries cooperate in recognizing each other's awards.
Only the letters change, with ADGA using M and B, while AGS uses D and S.
In each case below, I have given the ADGA designation first, with the eqivalent AGS term in brackets.
ADGA PRODUCTION AWARDS
Link to the ADGA Guidebook: DGA Official Testing Rules start on Pg 47, and designations are explained on Pg 61.
AGS PRODUCTION AWARDS
Link to the official AGS Production Awards site
*M (*D) - a doe who has earned an award for:
- Meeting specific levels of production on approved, official DHIR test based on volume or butterfat
- has produced three or more daughters have earned a *M (*D), or
- has produced two or more +B (+S) sons, or
- has produced two *M (*D) daughters and a +B (+S) son
#*M (#*D) - a doe who has an unbroken matrilineal line of * awards for production.
- For instance, Gryphon ST Morning Dew is a 7*M because her dam was a 6*M, and Joyful Hearts DS Tiger Tracks is a 3*D because her dam was a 2*D.
*B (*S) - buck, an inherited designation:
- a buck whose dam has earned her milking star and whose sire is also a *B, +B, ++B (*S, +S or ++S)
+B (+S) - buck, earned through progeny:
- a buck who has produced three or more daughters out of at least three dams that have earned their *M (*D)
- has produced two or more sons that have earned their +B (+S)
++B (++S) - earned through progeny:
- a buck who has produced three or more daughters that have earned their *M (*D)
- has produced two or more sons that have earned their +B (+S)
SUPERIOR GENETICS AWARD [ADGA ONLY]
Link to the ADGA Guidebook: Pg. 133
SG - To qualify for Superior Genetics (SG) the animal must be in the top 15% (85th percentile ranking or higher) and have a Production Type Index value of 0 or greater for their breed according to the Production/ Type Index (PTI) ranking at least once during the life of the animal. The ranking may be either in one area (PTI 2: 1 or PTI 1:2) or in both areas.
Link to the ADGA Guidebook: Pg. 133
SG - To qualify for Superior Genetics (SG) the animal must be in the top 15% (85th percentile ranking or higher) and have a Production Type Index value of 0 or greater for their breed according to the Production/ Type Index (PTI) ranking at least once during the life of the animal. The ranking may be either in one area (PTI 2: 1 or PTI 1:2) or in both areas.
SHOW AWARDS
Earned by winning at official ADGA and AGS shows, provided enough animals are shown to meet the minimum entry numbers.
Lnk to the ADGA Guidebook: Show rules start on Pg, 71, and ch legs are outlined starting on Pg. 78
CH - Champion: awarded to a doe or buck that has earned three official wins at shows sanctioned by ADGA or AGS. One leg may be earned as a junior animal.
GCH (MCH): a Champion who has also earned a production award as outlined above
SGCH: a champion who has also earned a Superior Genetics (SG) designation [ADGA only]
Earned by winning at official ADGA and AGS shows, provided enough animals are shown to meet the minimum entry numbers.
Lnk to the ADGA Guidebook: Show rules start on Pg, 71, and ch legs are outlined starting on Pg. 78
CH - Champion: awarded to a doe or buck that has earned three official wins at shows sanctioned by ADGA or AGS. One leg may be earned as a junior animal.
GCH (MCH): a Champion who has also earned a production award as outlined above
SGCH: a champion who has also earned a Superior Genetics (SG) designation [ADGA only]
LINEAR APPRAISAL (ADGA)
ADGA Linear Appraisal Rules and Guidelines
When listing an LA (Linear Appraisal) score, the following rules apply:
DS - Dairy Strength
BC - Body Capacity
MA - Mammary System
Example: Yoot's overall score was EX90, but it should appear as: 3-02 VEEE90
CLASSIFICATION (AGS)
AGS Classification Information
Classification scores are generally listed in short form using the final score, i.e. E90.
As scores cannot be lowered with subsequent classifications, the age does not need to be included.
SCORES (same ranges for both ADGA and AGS programs):
Although Linear Appraisal and Classification use different methodologiesm they both evaluate goats against the ideal for each breed, as compared to the national average. The scores are reasonably equivalent in most minds, although some debate occurs.
E - Excellent: 90+
V (VG) - Very Good: 85-89
+ (GP) - Good Plus: 80 - 84
A (G) - Acceptable or Good: 75 - 79
F - Fair: 60 - 69
P - Poor: 59 or lower
ADGA Linear Appraisal Rules and Guidelines
When listing an LA (Linear Appraisal) score, the following rules apply:
- The most recent score must be used, unless the doe had a previous score at over five years of age.
- The animal's age should published with the score.
- The score should contain the overall score and the four categories:
DS - Dairy Strength
BC - Body Capacity
MA - Mammary System
Example: Yoot's overall score was EX90, but it should appear as: 3-02 VEEE90
CLASSIFICATION (AGS)
AGS Classification Information
Classification scores are generally listed in short form using the final score, i.e. E90.
As scores cannot be lowered with subsequent classifications, the age does not need to be included.
SCORES (same ranges for both ADGA and AGS programs):
Although Linear Appraisal and Classification use different methodologiesm they both evaluate goats against the ideal for each breed, as compared to the national average. The scores are reasonably equivalent in most minds, although some debate occurs.
E - Excellent: 90+
V (VG) - Very Good: 85-89
+ (GP) - Good Plus: 80 - 84
A (G) - Acceptable or Good: 75 - 79
F - Fair: 60 - 69
P - Poor: 59 or lower