National DHIA

What National DHIA does

National DHIA (National Dairy Herd Information Association) is a US non-profit trade association established in 1965, headquartered in Verona/Fitchburg, Wisconsin, that serves as the governing body for the Dairy Herd Information (DHI) System in the United States. The organization coordinates national standards and infrastructure across the entire DHI ecosystem: it administers unique herd codes to prevent duplication across providers, publishes standardized DHI Test Plans and Uniform Operating Procedures, manages premises identification (PIN) and animal identification (LID/840-series tags) coordination with USDA-APHIS, and connects DHI data to the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) for national genetic evaluations. It has approximately 5 full-time staff and operates through two key subsidiaries — DHIA Services Inc. (which sells visual tags, electronic animal ID readers/indicators, milk meters, and the Ori-Collector milk sampler certified for DeLaval, Galaxy, and Lely robotic milking systems) and Quality Certification Services Inc. (QCS), which certifies meter technicians, ELISA technicians, and milk meters and conducts annual Meter Technician Training Schools.

The organization's customer base is structurally tiered. State and regional DHI affiliate organizations (e.g., Dairy One Cooperative, CentralStar Cooperative, AgSource Cooperative, Eastern WI DHIC, Minnesota DHIA, Idaho DHIA, Kings County DHIA, Lancaster DHIA) are the direct membership customers; individual dairy farmers access DHI testing services through these affiliates rather than directly from National DHIA. DHI laboratories, robotic milking operators, and dairy goat producers constitute additional service segments. Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues, certification and training fees, and product sales through DHIA Services at member-discount pricing. Engagement with members occurs through the Annual Business Meeting (the 61st was held in Savannah, GA in March 2026), Leadership Sessions, QCS training schools, and a website-anchored content model.

Governance is exercised via a Board of Directors, a DHIA Services Board, and the QCS Advisory Committee, with members drawn from the cooperative and producer base. National DHIA participates in international standards-setting through ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording) and in the iDDEN international dairy data exchange network. The organization is governed separately from, but partnered with, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB), which processes DHI data for genetic evaluations, and with the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB). Management services are provided externally by ReQuest, Ltd.

Name

National DHIA

Legal name

National Dairy Herd Information Association

Website

https://dhia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

National DHIA is a US non-profit trade association, established in 1965 and headquartered in Wisconsin, that coordinates national standards, herd codes, certification, premises/animal identification, and product distribution for the US Dairy Herd Information (DHI) System serving affiliate cooperatives, dairy farmers, laboratories, and robotic milking operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Herd Information Services

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (112120), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Dairy Farm Data, Monitoring & Precision Dairy Operations (AFAEACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Herd Management Software & Identification (RFID, EID, Data Platforms) (AFAAAIAH), Automatic Milking Robots (AMS) (AFAAAIAB), Milk Quality Testing & Sampling Equipment (SCC, Conductivity, Analyzers) (AFAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Dairy herd information
• Milk recording services
• Animal identification
• Milk meter certification
• Dairy industry association

Headquarters

HQ city

Verona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and certification services: National DHIA operates as a membership organization for DHI (Dairy Herd Information) affiliates at the state/regional level. Revenue is derived primarily from membership dues and fees for certification and training services (QCS Meter Technician Training Schools, certification programs). DHIA Services, a subsidiary, sells visual tags, electronic animal identification (EID) readers, indicators, and milk meters to member organizations and dairy farmers at discounted member prices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

National DHIA is a non-profit trade association that governs the U.S. Dairy Herd Information (DHI) System by setting standardized test plans, assigning unique herd codes, managing premises and animal identification, and providing member services. Through its subsidiary DHIA Services, Inc., it distributes identification tags, electronic ID readers, milk meters, and the Ori-Collector milk sampler for robotic milking systems. Through Quality Certification Services (QCS), it certifies meter technicians and milk metering equipment and conducts Meter Technician Training Schools.

Product overview

National DHIA serves as the governing body for the Dairy Herd Information (DHI) System in the United States, overseeing standards, certification, and testing protocols for dairy herd improvement. The organization operates through two key subsidiaries: DHIA Services Inc., which provides physical products including visual tags, electronic animal identification, milk meters, and the Ori-Collector milk sampler for robotic milking systems; and Quality Certification Services Inc. (QCS), which certifies meter technicians and equipment. National DHIA also provides herd code management, premises and animal ID services, DHI test plans, and scholarship programs for students in the dairy industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DHIA Services Wholly-owned subsidiary of National DHIA that delivers DHI program products including visual tags, electronic animal identification (EID), EID readers, indicators, and meters for milk yield measurement and sampling for dairy cows and dairy goats, available at member-discounted prices through DHI affiliates.
• Quality Certification Services (QCS) Certification service that evaluates and certifies portable milk meters, ELISA technicians, and meter technicians used across the U.S. DHI System. Coordinates Meter Technician Training Schools and maintains the official list of certified providers at qcs.us.
• Premises and Animal ID Services Service that assigns premises identification numbers (PIN) and location identifiers (LID) for dairy herd locations and facilitates ordering of official USDA-APHIS 840-series animal identification tags for DHI participants.
• DHI Test Plans Standardized dairy herd improvement testing protocols that provide guidelines and charts for milk recording and testing procedures used by DHI affiliates and laboratories.
• Herd Code Management National-level service that assigns unique herd codes to U.S. dairy herds, working with DHI Field Service Providers to prevent duplication of herd identifiers across providers and collaborators.
• Ori-Collector Milk Samplers Milk samplers certified for use with DeLaval, Galaxy, and Lely robotic milking systems, providing representative milk samples for component analysis and diagnostic screening tests at DHI laboratories; distributed through DHIA Services.
• QCS Meter Technician Training School (MTTS) Hands-on training and QCS certification program for meter technicians serving DHI field service providers, conducted annually with 2026 registration at $360 per attendee including manual, breaks, lunches, and dinners.
• Scholarship Program Scholarship awards for undergraduate and veterinary students who are family members or employees of herds on DHIA test or DHIA affiliates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ori-Collector milk samplers certified with DeLaval, Galaxy, and Lely robotic milking systems, providing representative milk samples for component analysis and diagnostic screening at DHI laboratories.

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Quality Certification Services Inc. (QCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCS is a closely aligned certification body for National DHIA. QCS certifies milk meters, ELISA technicians, and meter technicians used in the DHI System. It conducts annual Meter Technician Training Schools (MTTS) and maintains lists of certified providers. QCS and National DHIA hold joint annual meetings and collaborate on training and certification programs.
• DHIA Services Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHIA Services is a subsidiary of National DHIA that delivers products integral to the DHI program including visual tags, electronic animal identification (EID), EID readers, indicators, milk meters, and Ori-Collector milk samplers for robotic milking systems.
• Dairy One Cooperative Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDairy One Cooperative hosts the 2026 QCS Meter Technician Training School (July 28-30, 2026) at its facilities in Ithaca, NY. Dairy One Cooperative also serves as a DHI affiliate and member organization of National DHIA.
• ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational DHIA participates in ICAR congresses and conferences, which develop international standards for milk and dairy recording. National DHIA promotes ICAR certification and standards within the US DHI System. ICAR 2026 was held in Verona, Italy; ICAR 2025 was in Anand, India.
• CentralStar Cooperative Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentralStar Cooperative hosts the Midwest Robotic Training School (October 7-8, 2025) in Kaukauna, WI. Kevin Haase from CentralStar serves as Chair of the QCS Advisory Committee. CentralStar is a member DHI affiliate.
• AgSource CooperativeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgSource Cooperative arranged visits to robotic dairy operations for the Midwest Robotic Training School (2025). AgSource is a DHI affiliate member.
• Eastern WI DHICminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEastern WI DHIC arranged visits to robotic dairy operations for the Midwest Robotic Training School (2025). Eastern WI DHIC is a member DHI affiliate.
• EarTagCentral.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEarTagCentral.com is the portal for ordering official animal identification tags (840 series). National DHIA and DHIA Services link to EarTagCentral.com as a resource for premises ID and animal ID needs.
• Datamars (DML)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDatamars is a sponsor of the National DHIA Leadership Sessions and Annual Business Meeting. The company provides livestock technology including EID and milk metering solutions.
• Bentley InstrumentsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBentley Instruments is a sponsor of National DHIA events. The company provides analytical instruments for dairy testing.
• FOSS AnalyticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFOSS Analytics is a sponsor of National DHIA events. The company provides analytical solutions for the food and feed industries, including dairy testing.
• Y-Tex CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerY-Tex Corporation is a sponsor of National DHIA events. The company manufactures livestock identification products.
• Eurofins DQCIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEurofins DQCI is a sponsor of National DHIA events, providing dairy quality testing and laboratory services.
• Brolis Sensor TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrolis Sensor Technology is a sponsor of the 2026 National DHIA Leadership Sessions. The company presented on new technology for data generation.
• Paramount Group, LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParamount Group, LLC is a sponsor of the 2026 National DHIA Leadership Sessions. The company presented on manufacturing excellence.
• CDCB (Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDCB processes DHI data for national genetic evaluations of US dairy cattle. National DHIA works with CDCB on data standards and initiatives. Joint presentations on Animal ID usability in DHI/CDCB programs were featured at the 2026 Leadership Sessions.
• iDDEN (International Dairy Data Exchange Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartneriDDEN is an international data exchange initiative. Jay Mattison (CEO of National DHIA) presented on iDDEN at the 2026 Leadership Sessions.
• NAAB (National Association of Animal Breeders)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAAB provides updates at National DHIA annual meetings. NAAB representatives present on national animal breeding programs and their relationship to DHI data.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Afimilk: Israel-based provider of dairy cow monitoring, milk yield, and component sensing technology. Comparable as an emerging precision dairy technology player whose on-farm sensors could partially overlap with traditional DHI sampling workflows.
• Allflex Livestock Intelligence (MSD Animal Health): Global provider of livestock electronic identification (EID), visual tags, and herd monitoring technology. Comparable as an emerging player in the livestock identification space where DHIA Services also operates, particularly around official 840-series animal ID.

Direct peers

• DRMS (Dairy Records Management Systems): Processes DHI dairy records and provides data infrastructure for many DHI affiliates in the US. Directly comparable as a peer organization handling DHI data pipelines that ultimately feed into national genetic evaluations.
• CDCB (Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding): Processes DHI data for national genetic evaluations of US dairy cattle and is a close strategic partner of National DHIA. Directly comparable as a peer organization handling downstream DHI data with shared mission of dairy genetic improvement.
• Dairy One Cooperative Inc. Major DHI affiliate member of National DHIA providing on-farm milk recording, DHI testing, and laboratory services to dairy farmers across multiple US states. Directly comparable as a DHI service delivery organization operating under National DHIA's standards.
• CentralStar Cooperative Inc. DHI affiliate member providing DHI testing, milk laboratory services, and reproductive services to dairy producers. Sits on National DHIA's QCS Advisory Committee and is directly comparable as a DHI service affiliate.
• AgSource Cooperative: DHI affiliate member offering milk analysis, herd testing, and laboratory diagnostic services to dairy farmers. Directly comparable as a regional DHI service organization affiliated with National DHIA.

Broad incumbents

• Holstein Association USA: Largest US dairy breed registry that relies on DHI data for herd classification and pedigree programs. Comparable as an adjacent incumbent organization whose products and services integrate with National DHIA's data infrastructure.
• ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording): International governing body that sets standards for animal recording and certifies DHI systems globally. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the dairy herd information space that National DHIA aligns with through participation in congresses and standards adoption.
• NAAB (National Association of Animal Breeders): US trade association for artificial insemination and animal breeding that depends on DHI data for sire evaluations. Comparable as an adjacent incumbent in the dairy data ecosystem with overlapping mission and stakeholder base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-federation-of-dhia
• Xx.com/nationaldhia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National DHIA