Premier Dairy Genetic Information Services and Collaboration

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) manages the National Cooperator Database, calculates and distributes the U.S. genetic evaluations and genomic predictions, and aggregates dairy cattle data.

Welcome to CDCB

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) collaborates with U.S. and global partners to produce premier dairy genetic evaluations and data services. These CDCB results benefit dairy farmers worldwide as they work to improve the health and productivity of their cattle. CDCB stewards the National Cooperator Database – the world’s largest animal database – that integrates genomic information and more than 80 years of recorded U.S. dairy animal performance data. Through strategic partnerships with USDA-Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory and universities across the country, CDCB works to move the dairy industry forward with new genetic selection traits and evolving methodologies.

CDCB strives to embody its key values:

Dairy-driven
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Cooperative
Science-based
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Data-driven

How CDCB Supports Dairy Farmers

1.Provides premier dairy genetic information services, genetic and genomic evaluations, and management performance benchmarks.
2.Manages the National Cooperator Database of dairy phenotypic and genomic data, the world’s largest animal database.
3.Leverages cutting-edge research, working with USDA AGIL to produce quality genetic evaluations and indexes as Net Merit $.
4.Expands the foundation of more than a century of recorded U.S. dairy cattle performance and research.
5.Empowers continuous improvement and sustainability progress in dairy herds worldwide.

CDCB by the Numbers

11 million

genotypes in National Cooperator Database (June 2025)

93%

percent of genotyped animals are female (Sep 2024)

90 million

animals receiving CDCB evaluations (Aug. 2025)

50

traits calculated by CDCB


Latest News from CDCB

CDCB Integrates Genotyping-by-Sequencing

This is the first time the technology will be used in a national dairy cattle genetic evaluation system anywhere in the world.

2025 Evaluation Schedule and Deadlines

See deadlines and timelines for CDCB genetic evaluations, released weekly, monthly, and triannually.

10 Million Genotypes in National Database

A remarkable milestone – 10 million animal genotypes in the National Cooperator Database – was recorded on December 14, 2024.