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:
CDCB’s newest trait, Milking Speed, will debut in the August 2025 triannual evaluations. Available for Holsteins, it estimates how fast a cow milks in pounds per minute. MSPD differs from other milking speed traits because it is based off of actual in-line milk meter data that monitors a cow’s milk production. MSPD is estimated to have a heritability of 42%.
The routine five-year base change implemented for all other traits in April 20205 was delayed for calving traits calculated by CDCB for Holsteins and Brown Swiss because of unanticipated results. Those calculations have now been confirmed, and the four calving traits (SCE, DCE, SSB, and DSB) will undergo phenotypic and genetic base changes in August.
| 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
This is the first time the technology will be used in a national dairy cattle genetic evaluation system anywhere in the world.
