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
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Cooperative
Science-based
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Transparent
Data-driven

August 2026 Evaluations

These evaluations will include three new traits and revisions to four existing female reproductive performance traits. Find everything you need to know here.

See How Data Fuels Genetic Improvement

How CDCB Supports Dairy Farmers

Genetic EvaluationsNational Cooperator DatabaseResearchNational Performance MetricsGenetic Trends
Provides premier dairy genetic information services, genetic and genomic evaluations, and management performance benchmarksManages the National Cooperator Database of dairy phenotypic and genomic data, the world’s largest animal databaseLeverages 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 researchEmpowers continuous improvement and sustainability progress in dairy herds worldwide

CDCB by the Numbers

13,000,000+

genotypes in National Cooperator Database (June 2026)

94,827,036

animals received a genetic evaluation (August 2026)

93%

percent of genotyped animals are female (September 2025)

50

traits calculated by CDCB


The Latest CDCB News

August 2026 Evaluation Recap

The August genetic evaluations introduce three new traits and revise four more. See how these traits and more performed.

CDCB Launches First National Genetic Evaluations for Calf Health

New PTAs give producers another tool for long-term calf health selection.

Reproductive Traits Get a New Look

In 2024, CDCB started researching what farm management changes meant for the industry’s genetic selection tools.