Genetic Testing for Goats: What to Test, Labs & How to Use Results

DNA testing has become an increasingly accessible and valuable tool for goat breeders. What was once reserved for large commercial operations is now available to any breeder willing to pull a hair sample and mail it to a lab. From confirming parentage to identifying disease carriers to predicting milk protein genetics, DNA testing provides concrete data that eliminates guesswork from your breeding program.

Types of Genetic Tests

Parentage verification

Confirms that a kid's registered parents are its actual biological parents. Essential for:

• Pen breeding situations where multiple bucks may have had access to does
• Verifying pedigree accuracy when purchasing animals from other breeders
• Resolving disputes about parentage
• ADGA now allows DNA-verified parentage, and it strengthens your pedigree records

Cost: approximately $25 to $40 per animal. Both parents should also be on file at the lab for comparison.

Alpha-s1 casein genotyping

This is one of the most impactful tests for dairy goat breeders. Alpha-s1 casein is a milk protein that significantly affects cheese yield, milk flavor, and allergenic properties.

Each goat carries two alleles (one from each parent). A goat with genotype A/F produces intermediate levels. For cheesemaking, you want at least one high allele (A, B, or C). For drinking milk with mild flavor, F or N alleles are desirable.

G6S (beta-mannosidosis) testing

G6S is a lethal genetic disease found in Nubian and Nubian-cross goats. Kids that are homozygous for the mutation (carry two copies) develop severe neurological symptoms and die, usually within the first few months of life.

• Carriers (one copy): Completely normal and healthy. No symptoms. But they can pass the gene to 50% of their offspring.
• Affected (two copies): Fatal. Kids fail to thrive, develop tremors, seizures, and die young.
• Carrier rate in Nubians: Estimated at 25% or higher. This means roughly 1 in 4 Nubians carries the gene.
• Breeding rule: Never breed two carriers together. Carrier x clear = safe (50% carrier, 50% clear, no affected kids). Carrier x carrier = 25% chance of affected kids.

Cost: approximately $10 to $25 per animal. Every Nubian and Nubian-cross in your breeding program should be tested.

Scrapie genotyping

Scrapie is a fatal prion disease of sheep and goats. While relatively rare in goats, the USDA Scrapie Eradication Program encourages genotyping. Certain genotypes at the prion protein gene (PRNP) are associated with increased susceptibility or resistance.

• Genotyping identifies whether your goats carry susceptible or resistant alleles
• Useful for herds participating in the USDA Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program
• Some states require scrapie genotyping for certain sales or movements
• Cost: approximately $10 to $20 per animal

Coat color genotyping

DNA tests can now identify which color gene alleles a goat carries, including recessive alleles that are not visually expressed. Available tests include:

• Agouti locus (pattern)
• Extension locus (black vs red)
• Brown locus
• Polled/horned status

This removes the guesswork from color prediction. If a DNA test shows a black doe is a/a, E⁺/e, B/b, you know she carries recessive red and recessive brown — information invisible from her appearance alone.

How to Submit Samples

Sample types

Major labs

What to Test and When

Minimum recommended testing

• All breeding bucks: Parentage, alpha-s1 casein, G6S (if Nubian genetics). A buck influences every kid crop — knowing his genetics is the highest-ROI testing you can do.
• Retained doe kids: Parentage verification before investing years of feed and management into an animal whose pedigree may be incorrect.
• Any Nubian or Nubian-cross: G6S test. Non-negotiable.

Nice-to-have testing

• Alpha-s1 casein on all milking does (especially if you make cheese)
• Color genotyping on breeding stock if you breed for specific colors
• Scrapie genotyping if participating in the SFCP or selling to flocks that require it
• Polled genotyping to determine heterozygous vs homozygous before breeding polled to polled

Using Results in Your Breeding Program

• Record everything. Store test results on each goat's profile alongside pedigree, production, and health data. This creates a complete picture for breeding decisions.
• Share results with buyers. Genetic test data adds value to every animal you sell. Buyers increasingly expect tested animals, especially at higher price points.
• Plan matings with data. Once you know your herd's casein genotypes, carrier status, and color genetics, you can plan breedings that avoid problems and maximize desirable outcomes.
• Build your herd's reputation. Breeders who test, share results, and make data-driven decisions build trust in the community. It signals that you take your breeding program seriously.