About CDCB
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding is the main gear of the U.S. dairy cattle genetic engine.
Who We Are
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding 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.
Services and genetic evaluations sourced from CDCB are designated primarily by the Powered by CDCB logo.
CDCB Values
Dairy-driven
Science-based
Cooperative
Transparent
Data-driven
CDCB Mission
To drive global dairy cattle improvement by using a collaborative database to deliver state-of-the-art genetic merit and performance assessments for the herd decision making.
CDCB Vision
To be the leading source of genetic information for dairy improvement.
CDCB Core Value
Providing premier dairy genetic information services and industry collaboration.
Four Collaborating Sectors
Dairy Records Providers
Dairy Records Providers are state or regional organizations that gather on-farm data in an accurate, credible and uniform manner, for herd management, research and genetic evaluations.
Dairy Records Processing Centers
DRPCs develop computerized software to normalize data coming from farms and transfer to the CDCB cooperator database for research and genetic evaluations.
National Association of Animal Breeders
For over 75 years National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) has united organizations and individuals engaged in artificial insemination (AI) and marketing of U.S. genetics.
Purebred Dairy Cattle Association
Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, Inc. (PDCA) is a federation of the seven U.S. dairy breed registry associations representing over 60,000 members.
USDA Research Partnership
CDCB and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) work closely to research and develop genetic tools that have benefitted dairy herds worldwide.
USDA is the federal department that provides leadership on agriculture, food and related topics based on public policy and the best available science. World-renowned scientists at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL) perform rigorous research to develop and test new genetic and genomic methodologies. This research supports top-quality evaluations, data integrity and implementation of technology and new scientific learnings.
Until 2013, USDA also performed the service functions related to the U.S. database and genetic evaluations. A Non-funded Cooperative Agreement first implemented on March 27, 2013, clarified that USDA would focus on world-class research. CDCB assumed full responsibility to maintain the national cooperator database, compute results and distribute genomic and genetic evaluations.
This collaboration is foundational to the success of the U.S. dairy genetic system.