Photo from Andrea Haines

National Cooperator Database

CDCB manages the National Cooperator Database of phenotypic and genotypic data from dairy herds across the U.S. and 81 countries.

Foundation for U.S. Genetic Evaluations

The National Cooperator Database has set the gold standard worldwide, combined an unmatched quantity of data with robust quality standards. This database delivers value to dairy herds through genetic evaluations, management reports and performance benchmarks that are derived from the data.

Accurate prediction of genetic values is possible through integration and analysis of various data types, like test-day milk yield, days open, health events, pedigree information, type classification, and now, genotypes. With our partners in the U.S. and globally, CDCB continues to add significant phenotypic and genotypic data that improves accuracy of evaluations and allows development of new traits.

CDCB Dairy Database Stats

CDCB’s database is the world’s largest devoted to dairy cattle, with over 95 million female phenotypic records and 6.5 million animal genotypes.

Lab & Nominator Certification

CDCB administers a robust quality assurance process and certification to submit pedigree and genomic data into the CDCB Database.

Collaborative Commitment

The National Cooperator Database was built over several decades through cooperation by dairy producers, industry collaborators, international partners, and the U.S. government.

Dairy producers play a pivotal role, providing quality phenotypic and genotypic data to the national database.

Genotypic and pedigree data from genotyping labs and genomic nominators – like breed associations and genetic companies – combines with phenotypic (performance) data from the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) system, breed associations, international partners and research institutions.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the database, which was transferred to CDCB in 2013. USDA remains a key partner through world-renowned research at the Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL).

Dairy Animal Identification

Unique identification for each female and male dairy animal is essential for accurate genetic evaluation. The U.S. follows the guidelines by the International Committee of Animal Recording (ICAR) to optimize data flow and global pipelines.

Photo from World Wide Sires

Animal ID and Codes

Learn more about official animal ID, NAAB uniform semen codes, and official country codes