EAST EARL, Pa. — More than 200 dairy farmers, industry partners and advisors gathered on Dec. 10th at Shady Maple Smorgasbord for Lancaster Dairy Herd Improvement Association’s (DHIA) annual meeting. It’s an annual look at how the cooperative continues to evolve while remaining focused on its core mission of supporting dairy farms through testing, records, and trusted service.

In his annual report, General Manager Don DeHart reviewed steady growth in core services, expanded laboratory capabilities, and a growing network of research and industry partnerships aimed at helping members get more value from the data collected on their behalf.

At the close of the organization’s fiscal year on Sept. 30, Lancaster DHIA had 236,453 cows on test, up roughly 9000 cows from the prior year. The organization served 2409 herds, with average herd size increasing to 98 cows, reflecting continued consolidation while maintaining strong participation among small and mid-sized dairy operations.

The DHIA laboratory processed more than 2.8 million milk samples during the fiscal year, serving members while also providing lab services for United DHIA and other DHI organizations nationwide.

“This is a rolling snapshot,” DeHart said, “but it shows steady engagement and trust in the services we provide.”

He highlighted Lancaster DHIA’s role in national data and research efforts, including participation in the FACTORS Project, a multi-partner data calibration effort involving USDA, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB), National DHIA and Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS). Lancaster DHIA was the fourth DHI organization nationally to join the project, contributing data from one of the study farms.

The effort focuses on improving the accuracy and consistency of DHI test data used for genetic evaluations, research and herd-level decision-making.

“There’s an enormous amount of information going into this data lake,” DeHart said. “This work is going to benefit the entire industry moving forward.”

Other collaborations include a subclinical ketosis study with Penn State Extension and DRMS, along with work to better incorporate fatty acid testing results into DRMS reports.

Lancaster DHIA is also monitoring development of a next-generation sampler meter, expected to be available to DHI organizations in early 2026.

A major focus over the past year has been expansion of Lancaster DHIA’s microbiology and diagnostic testing. The lab now tests bulk tank and individual cow milk samples for fatty acids, conducts A2 milk testing on milk and blood samples, and offers PCR testing targeting Strep agalactiae and Mycoplasma, alongside full contagious mastitis panels.

Lancaster DHIA has brought BVD testing in-house for bulk tank samples and is preparing to expand Johne’s testing, reducing reliance on outside laboratories while improving turnaround time and cost efficiency.

“Our goal is to keep as much testing as possible right here,” DeHart said. “That strengthens the lab and improves service.”

The IDEXX milk and blood pregnancy tests remain an affordable option available through Lancaster DHIA, helping producers identify open cows earlier when paired with timely herd records.

Beyond testing, Lancaster DHIA continues to emphasize education and outreach, hosting robotic milking workshops, supporting Penn State Extension programs such as FeedSense, and participating in Milk Matters workshops across southern Pennsylvania. Staff training around herd management tools such as DART, PocketDairy and HerdHQ helps farmers and advisors better interpret DHIA records and apply them on farm.

To better serve members across its 10-state service area, Lancaster DHIA also piloted a regional annual meeting in Vermont this fall.

DeHart acknowledged recent staffing changes, including the departure of longtime employee Darryl Garvin, while emphasizing service continuity. “This is a season of transformation,” he said, “but our commitment to members is not changing.”

Board President Jeremy Martin, of Mountain View Dairy near Bethel in Berks County thanked members for their continued support and emphasized the Board’s focus on financial stability and service quality. The Board includes Tony Brubaker, Darren Charles, Kevin Fahnestock, Robert Fox and Dale Zimmerman, with Chad Hoover of western Pennsylvania joining in January. Outgoing Board member Dennis Weaver was also recognized.

A major milestone in 2025 was the purchase of Lancaster DHIA’s office and laboratory property at Old Line Road, Manheim, securing permanent control of its facilities following a transaction with Jay and Carol Mylin.

The meeting concluded with three fascinating presentations that tied closely to Lancaster DHIA’s mission. Look for more on that in future Farmshine editions.