News

CDCB delivers the latest news on genetic improvement, research and U.S. evaluations through its monthly newsletter, dairy media, and events.

August 2024 Evaluations: What’s New?

CDCB and USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory

July 11, 2024

CDCB and USDA AGIL detail changes implemented for the triannual genetic evaluations on August 13, 2024, including 305-AA as the new standardized yield measurement, full implementation of Constructed IDs, Heifer Livability updates, Brown Swiss Rear Teat Placement trait, new SNP list, annual BBR update and inclusion of HH6 and JNS gene tests in haplotype calculations.


April 2024 Evaluation Changes: What’s New?

CDCB and USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory

March 7, 2024

CDCB and USDA AGIL announce enhancements in the U.S. dairy genetic evaluations on April 2, 2024.


December 2023 Evaluation Changes: What’s New?

CDCB and USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory

November 16, 2023

Changes for the December 5, 2023, CDCB evaluations include updated imputation results for all breeds, new haplotype calls for early onset muscle weakness syndrome in Holsteins, and update to the haplotype calls for cholesterol deficiency in Holsteins.


Brown Swiss Fertility Haplotype BH14

USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory

March 7, 2023

BH14 has been added to the list of genomic haplotypes reported in the U.S., following USDA AGIL analysis of records in the CDCB database. Routine publication of BH14 status will support breed fertility improvement by allowing appropriate selection and mating of males and females.


Constructed ID’s: Eliminating Pedigree Dead Ends

Lillian Bacheller and José Carrillo and Ezequiel Nicolazzi and George Wiggans

February 1, 2023

Knowing an animal’s ancestry several generations back is certainly the goal for breeders; however, there are instances where animals have a gap in their pedigree. To fill in more pedigree gaps, CDCB is implementing a new solution starting in February 2023.


December 2021: Changes to Evaluation System

Kristen Parker Gaddis and Paul VanRaden

December 1, 2021

Genetic evaluations for Residual Feed Intake (RFI) were improved using variance adjustments and a higher estimated heritability. The RFI records are now adjusted to have equal variance across herds and across first versus later parities.


August 2021: Changes to Evaluation System

Mahesh Neupane and Kristen Parker Gaddis and Paul VanRaden and Rob Tempelman

August 1, 2021

The new Lifetime Net Merit (NM$) including Feed Saved (FSAV), Heifer Livability (HLIV) and Early First Calving (EFC), along with a number of new parameters and assumptions, will be introduced in the August 2021 evaluation.


April 2021: Changes to Evaluation System

Jana Hutchinson and Paul VanRaden

April 1, 2021

Several small adjustments to fertility traits editing will be introduced with the April 2021 evaluation to better account for late-term abortions. Fertility credits for traits Heifer Conception Rate (HCR) and Cow Conception Rate (CCR) now treat the last service as a failure instead of success if the next calving is coded as an abortion.


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