April 2026 Evaluation Changes: What’s New?

The April triannual evaluations will include the annual Breed Base Representation (BBR) reference population update.

This routine update refreshes the reference population using the current eligibility rules, incorporating newly qualifying animals and removing those that no longer meet the criteria. These eligibility rules were updated in 2025. To be included, bulls must meet certain criteria, including having four or more generations recorded in the pedigree. If less than four generations are recorded, there is an exception for some bulls.

Bulls born before 2000 with more than 1,000 daughters in Holstein or more than 200 daughters in other breeds are exempt from the pedigree completeness rule. This accommodates older but influential bulls with partially complete pedigrees.

Jerseys were previously excluded from this exception, per an agreement with the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). This exception to the business rules has been removed in the April 2026 evaluations, and moving forward, upon request from AJCA. Jersey bulls who were previously excluded due to a lack of pedigree completeness can now be included if they were born before 2000 and have more than 200 daughters.

The BBR reference population update is expected to have minimal impact on the overall population, with only a small number of animals receiving updated BBR values. The animals most likely receiving updated BBR values are those genotyped at low density, with incomplete pedigrees, not well connected to the U.S. population, or those that were excluded from the 2025 reference population.