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:
The Lifetime Net Merit (NM$) index ranks dairy animals based on their combined genetic merit for economically important traits. The 2025 NM$ update revises some methods to estimate trait values and many income and cost variables, such as milk prices, feed requirements, and reproductive options. The 2025 revision does not include genetic evaluations for any new traits.
| 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. |
Access CDCB genetic evaluation results for individual animals and explore national genetic trends
Access CDCB Redmine files and documentation
Genotypes in National Cooperator Database (Dec 2024)
percent of genotyped animals are female (Sep 2024)
Animals receiving CDCB evaluations (Dec 2024)
Traits calculated by CDCB
CDCB will implement revisions to the lifetime merit indices and a genetic base change in the April 1, 2025, genetic evaluations.
