Heart's In Dixie maintains a CAE and CL negative herd which is tested annually. All of our bucks have been tested G6S normal. Majority of our does are G6S normal by parentage with only a few remaining does left to be tested. Our does are working girls and are expected to produce. Our does are production tested earning their milk stars in their first lactation. We feed dairy quality alfalfa hay in addition to a 16% dairy ration. We offer loose minerals, sodium bicarbonate, and kelp free choice. Our animals are monitored for worms and treated only when necessary. We vaccinate against Clostridium Perfringens types C & D with tetanus along with Pasteurella for prevention of pneumonia. Twice a year we give each animal supplemental copper boluses and BoSe. Our expectant does are monitored with six barn cameras installed throughout our doe barns. All births are attended by us and kids are removed immediately. Kids are fed heat treated colostrum and started on a bucket feeding system with pasteurized goat milk.
Production testing is obtained through membership in the ADGA Dairy Herd Improvement Registry (DHIR). The program involves statistically measuring a lactation by obtaining monthly milk weights and sampling the milk for components. Milk stars are awarded when a doe has qualified at the end of 305 days of testing or less based on her milk volume, butterfat and/or protein.
Production testing is obtained through membership in the ADGA Dairy Herd Improvement Registry (DHIR). The program involves statistically measuring a lactation by obtaining monthly milk weights and sampling the milk for components. Milk stars are awarded when a doe has qualified at the end of 305 days of testing or less based on her milk volume, butterfat and/or protein.