April 2026 Evaluation Changes: What’s New?
The April triannual evaluations will include the annual Breed Base Representation (BBR) reference population update.
Premier Dairy Genetic Information Services and Industry 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
Cooperative
Science-based
Transparent
Data-driven
See How Data Fuels Genetic Improvement
How CDCB Supports Dairy Farmers
| Genetic Evaluations | National Cooperator Database | Research | National Performance Metrics | Genetic Trends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provides premier dairy genetic information services, genetic and genomic evaluations, and management performance benchmarks | Manages the National Cooperator Database of dairy phenotypic and genomic data, the world’s largest animal database | Leverages cutting-edge research, working with USDA AGIL to produce quality genetic evaluations and indexes as Net Merit $ | Expands the foundation of more than a century of recorded U.S. dairy cattle performance and research | Empowers continuous improvement and sustainability progress in dairy herds worldwide |
WebConnect Service
Access CDCB genetic evaluation results for individual animals and explore national genetic trends
Collaborator Portal
Access CDCB Redmine files and documentation
CDCB by the Numbers
12,000,000+
genotypes in National Cooperator Database (December 2025)
93%
percent of genotyped animals are female (September 2025)
93,047,168
animals received a genetic evaluation (April 2026)
50
traits calculated by CDCB