Want to become a member
To become a NDGA member please click New Member Application.
If you have never been a member of another registry here are some important steps to ensure your paperwork will not have any preventable delays at the office.
FIRST
Fill out a Membership Application.
If the breeder your goat came from is an NDGA member, they should have given you forms to send in for Registering. If the goat is registered with another registry, you will need to send in a completed New Animal Registration Form
and a Transfer (Bill of Sale). Note; if your children will be showing in 4-H or FFA, many states require the goat to be registered in the child's name. NDGA requires the goat be in the youth's name if they will be showing in any youth shows or the NDGA National Youth Show. Anyone may show a goat in an Open Show no matter who owns the goat.
If you are currently a member of another registry then you are familiar with the process.
*Please note that if you'd like to register your goats with all 3 Registries: NDGA, ADGA & AGS, you will need to choose a Herd Name and Tattoo Prefix that is available in all 3 organizations. The easiest way to do that is to contact all 3 BEFORE submitting paperwork. Your Herd Name and Tattoo must match for all 3. Once you know your info will work, you can fill out all the other forms.
NEXT
You will need Herd Name. It can be a combination of your kids names, your family name, a landmark close by, an area you live in or one you make up. It's up to you. You will have to choose three (3) Herd Names just in case someone else got there before you with your first and/or second choice.
Something to remember: When choosing a Herd Name, it will appear on the registration papers for any kids/offspring you will be registering, so keep in mind there are 35 characters allowed for letters and spaces. You must be a NDGA Member to request a Herd Name.
THIRD
Next is a Tattoo prefix. It will consisting of 3-4 letters and/or a letter/number combination that you will be putting in the goats right ear. An example: RNE for Roc N Ewe or KH1 for Kay Hollaway 1. This prefix will be assigned to your Herd only. You will need three (3) choices. It's also call it a Herd Tattoo. It may be the Initials of your Herd Name or your personal initials with/without a number. So make sure it is easy to read.
There are only 4 spaces for a herd tattoo.
The left ear will be tattooed with the letter for the year they were born, IE. 2015 is "F" plus whatever number you assigned to that kid.
You may number the kids as they are born during the kidding season. Example: Susie was the first to kid and she had 4 kids numbered F1,F2,F3,F4. Sunshine kidded next with 2 kids so her kids would be F5,F6, etc.. The numbers are not gender specific, so they can be used for either doe or buck kids.
TIPS
Tattoo's can be applied anytime. Some kids need a little more growing time to insure their ears are big enough.
They change so much the first couple of months it is a good idea to tattoo as soon as possible and very important to keep good records so you know who the parents are of each kid. You can always refer back to your list and identify the kids by their tattoos when it comes time to register.
Tattoo Process tips
Make sure you use a tattoo kit that works for the size of your goats. Green ink works best and is easily seen in dark colors. You'll want help holding the goat tight, but not too tight you hurt them. There are tattoo boxes to hold kids as you tattoo there is no one around that can help. Test your tattoo on a piece of paper to make sure your letters are not backward
before putting them in the ears. Make sure you are between the veins in the ears.
The biggest complaints on tattoos:
Unable to read for any of the following reasons:
Didn't clamp down hard enough to make holes deep enough to contain/hold the ink.
Didn't rub the ink into the holes well enough. Either one of these will allow the tattoo to fade or disappear quickly. If you need help to get the first few done, ask a seasoned breeder to give you a hand or if you have the funds your vet may be able to show you how, or do it for you.
The first tattoo is always the hardest. And remember: it hurts you way more then it hurts them
Microchips
Microchips will work just as well, and many breeders are switching to them. We also have a business partner, Pro-ID, who gives our members a discount on microchips and readers. It is always a good idea to check your microchips before a show just as it is to check a tattoo.
No matter which way you go, if you are going to show your goats, make sure their ID's are legible or readable before you leave home. It is not fun having black or green ink all over the goat and yourself when you walk into the ring and very disappointing to loose a well deserved leg due to an unreadable tattoo or a failed micro chip.
We do hope this information will help you get through the process of joining our NDGA goat family.
All the forms you will need to become a member, register your herd name and attain a Herd prefix are on located on Membership button on the left.
Welcome aboard!
If you have never been a member of another registry here are some important steps to ensure your paperwork will not have any preventable delays at the office.
FIRST
Fill out a Membership Application.
If the breeder your goat came from is an NDGA member, they should have given you forms to send in for Registering. If the goat is registered with another registry, you will need to send in a completed New Animal Registration Form
and a Transfer (Bill of Sale). Note; if your children will be showing in 4-H or FFA, many states require the goat to be registered in the child's name. NDGA requires the goat be in the youth's name if they will be showing in any youth shows or the NDGA National Youth Show. Anyone may show a goat in an Open Show no matter who owns the goat.
If you are currently a member of another registry then you are familiar with the process.
*Please note that if you'd like to register your goats with all 3 Registries: NDGA, ADGA & AGS, you will need to choose a Herd Name and Tattoo Prefix that is available in all 3 organizations. The easiest way to do that is to contact all 3 BEFORE submitting paperwork. Your Herd Name and Tattoo must match for all 3. Once you know your info will work, you can fill out all the other forms.
NEXT
You will need Herd Name. It can be a combination of your kids names, your family name, a landmark close by, an area you live in or one you make up. It's up to you. You will have to choose three (3) Herd Names just in case someone else got there before you with your first and/or second choice.
Something to remember: When choosing a Herd Name, it will appear on the registration papers for any kids/offspring you will be registering, so keep in mind there are 35 characters allowed for letters and spaces. You must be a NDGA Member to request a Herd Name.
THIRD
Next is a Tattoo prefix. It will consisting of 3-4 letters and/or a letter/number combination that you will be putting in the goats right ear. An example: RNE for Roc N Ewe or KH1 for Kay Hollaway 1. This prefix will be assigned to your Herd only. You will need three (3) choices. It's also call it a Herd Tattoo. It may be the Initials of your Herd Name or your personal initials with/without a number. So make sure it is easy to read.
There are only 4 spaces for a herd tattoo.
The left ear will be tattooed with the letter for the year they were born, IE. 2015 is "F" plus whatever number you assigned to that kid.
You may number the kids as they are born during the kidding season. Example: Susie was the first to kid and she had 4 kids numbered F1,F2,F3,F4. Sunshine kidded next with 2 kids so her kids would be F5,F6, etc.. The numbers are not gender specific, so they can be used for either doe or buck kids.
TIPS
Tattoo's can be applied anytime. Some kids need a little more growing time to insure their ears are big enough.
They change so much the first couple of months it is a good idea to tattoo as soon as possible and very important to keep good records so you know who the parents are of each kid. You can always refer back to your list and identify the kids by their tattoos when it comes time to register.
Tattoo Process tips
Make sure you use a tattoo kit that works for the size of your goats. Green ink works best and is easily seen in dark colors. You'll want help holding the goat tight, but not too tight you hurt them. There are tattoo boxes to hold kids as you tattoo there is no one around that can help. Test your tattoo on a piece of paper to make sure your letters are not backward
before putting them in the ears. Make sure you are between the veins in the ears.
The biggest complaints on tattoos:
Unable to read for any of the following reasons:
Didn't clamp down hard enough to make holes deep enough to contain/hold the ink.
Didn't rub the ink into the holes well enough. Either one of these will allow the tattoo to fade or disappear quickly. If you need help to get the first few done, ask a seasoned breeder to give you a hand or if you have the funds your vet may be able to show you how, or do it for you.
The first tattoo is always the hardest. And remember: it hurts you way more then it hurts them
Microchips
Microchips will work just as well, and many breeders are switching to them. We also have a business partner, Pro-ID, who gives our members a discount on microchips and readers. It is always a good idea to check your microchips before a show just as it is to check a tattoo.
No matter which way you go, if you are going to show your goats, make sure their ID's are legible or readable before you leave home. It is not fun having black or green ink all over the goat and yourself when you walk into the ring and very disappointing to loose a well deserved leg due to an unreadable tattoo or a failed micro chip.
We do hope this information will help you get through the process of joining our NDGA goat family.
All the forms you will need to become a member, register your herd name and attain a Herd prefix are on located on Membership button on the left.
Welcome aboard!