Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding

What Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding does

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is a U.S. non-profit organization founded in 2013 that calculates and distributes the official genetic and genomic evaluations for the American dairy industry. CDCB stewards the National Cooperator Database — the world's largest animal database — integrating more than 80 years of phenotypic records with genomic information contributed by roughly 10,000 U.S. dairy herds and genotypes from 76 countries. Through a Non-funded Cooperative Agreement with USDA, CDCB assumed evaluation and database responsibilities that USDA previously held, while USDA AGIL continues to lead underlying research. CDCB calculates triannual and monthly genetic evaluations for 50 traits and 4 lifetime merit indexes (Net Merit $, Cheese Merit $, Fluid Merit $, Grazing Merit $) across six dairy breeds plus dairy goats, and serves as the global distribution channel for U.S. dairy genetics to more than 120 countries.

Name

Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding

Legal name

Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding

Website

https://uscdcb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is a U.S. non-profit that stewards the National Cooperator Database — the world's largest dairy animal database — and calculates official U.S. genetic and genomic evaluations for dairy producers, AI organizations, breed associations, and 60+ industry partners across 120+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Genetic Evaluation Services

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (112120), Goat Farming (112420)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Genomic Testing & Genetic Evaluation Services (AFAEAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD), Dairy Farm Data, Monitoring & Precision Dairy Operations (AFAEACAO), Genetic Testing & Genomic Profiling Services (Parentage, Trait Testing) (AFACAEAE), Breeding Stock & Genetics (Rams/Bucks, Stud Services, AI/ET Programs) (AFAEAFAE), Livestock Precision Monitoring Software (Herd/Flock Analytics, Health Alerts) (AFAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Dairy genetic evaluations
• Genomic selection services
• Animal breeding data
• Selection index calculations
• Dairy herd analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Genetic Evaluation Services: CDCB provides genetic evaluation services for dairy cattle and goats. Fees are associated with genetic evaluations, genomic testing nominations, and service fees for CDCB results. The organization operates as a non-profit stewards the National Cooperator Database.
2. Nomination and Certification Fees: Genomic nominators and genotyping laboratories must be certified by CDCB before participating. Fees are associated with bull nomination fees, genomic testing, and lab certification processes.
3. Data Usage Fees: CDCB provides data from the National Cooperator Database to research institutions for approved uses through an external data request process. Fees may apply for commercial and research data applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CDCB calculates and distributes U.S. dairy genetic evaluations and genomic predictions for 50 traits and 4 lifetime selection indexes across 6 dairy breeds and dairy goats, stewarding the National Cooperator Database—the world's largest animal database with 13M+ genotypes and 93M+ evaluated animals. Services are delivered through WebConnect and a certified partner ecosystem of 60+ Dairy Records Providers, Processing Centers, breed associations, and genomic nominators. The organization also issues trait documentation (haplotypes, genetic conditions) and certification marks (Powered by CDCB, QTurn by CDCB) for evaluation quality assurance.

Product overview

CDCB offers a comprehensive suite of genetic evaluation products centered around the National Cooperator Database—the world's largest animal database integrating genomic and phenotypic data. The core offerings include triannual and monthly genetic/genomic evaluations for 50 production, health, fertility, conformation, and feed efficiency traits across 6 dairy breeds and dairy goats. Four lifetime merit selection indexes (Net Merit $, Cheese Merit $, Fluid Merit $, Grazing Merit $) combine multiple traits into single dollar values for ranking animals. Access is provided through WebConnect platform and Collaborator Portal. Brand marks include 'Powered by CDCB' for certified evaluations and 'QTurn by CDCB' for quick turnaround genomic predictions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Genetic Evaluations Triannual (April, August, December) genetic evaluations plus weekly and monthly genomic evaluations for 50 traits and 4 selection indexes used by dairy producers worldwide. U.S. breeding values are presented on six breed bases.
• Genomic Evaluations Genomic selection product enabling accurate selection decisions at young ages before actual performance can be measured. One million animal genotypes are submitted annually to CDCB, with more than 90% being females.
• National Cooperator Database The world's largest animal database stewarded by CDCB, integrating genomic information with more than 80 years of recorded U.S. dairy animal performance data. Contains phenotypic, genotypic, and pedigree data from 10,000+ dairy herds and 76 countries.
• Net Merit $ (NM$) Selection Index The primary U.S. national selection index combining nearly 40 traits including yield, conformation, health, fitness, fertility, and feed intake into a single dollar value representing expected lifetime profit difference.
• Cheese Merit $ (CM$) Selection Index Selection index designed for herds selling milk for cheese production, placing additional economic value on fat and protein production using cheese yield pricing and emphasizing low somatic cell score.
• Fluid Merit $ (FM$) Selection Index Selection index for farms selling into the fluid milk market, placing considerably more weight on PTA Milk with no economic influence from protein.
• Grazing Merit $ (GM$) Selection Index Selection index created for pasture-based herds using intensive grazing, with 2.5 times more emphasis on fertility than other indices and economic values reflecting grazing management.
• Haplotypes & Genetic Conditions Service Genetic variant and haplotype documentation for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Jerseys, and Holsteins including recessive disorders (BLAD, CVM, DUMPS, Brachyspina, etc.), polled conditions, color genetics, and fertility haplotypes.
• Health Trait Evaluations Genetic evaluations for six direct health traits for resistance to Milk Fever, Displaced Abomasum, Ketosis, Mastitis, Metritis, and Retained Placenta, plus Cow Livability and Heifer Livability.
• Feed Efficiency Trait Evaluations Feed Saved (FSAV) and Residual Feed Intake (RFI) evaluations measuring genetic variation for feed efficiency. FSAV represents expected pounds of feed saved per lactation; RFI is independent of production level.
• Fertility Trait Evaluations Female fertility traits including Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR), Cow Conception Rate (CCR), Heifer Conception Rate (HCR), Early First Calving (EFC), and Sire Conception Rate (SCR).
• Production Trait Evaluations Genetic evaluations for milk yield, fat yield, fat percent, protein yield, protein percent, and Milking Speed (MSPD) for dairy cattle.
• Dairy Goat Evaluations Genetic evaluations for dairy goats covering 9 breeds (Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen, Sable, Toggenburg, plus crossbreds). Yield traits include Milk, Fat, Protein; type traits include 13 linear type traits plus final score.
• WebConnect Platform Web-based platform for accessing CDCB genetic evaluation results for individual animals and exploring national genetic trends, performance metrics, and genetic trends.
• Collaborator Portal (Redmine) Access to CDCB Redmine files and documentation for data partners, genomic nominators, and industry collaborators.
• Powered by CDCB Certification Mark Brand mark denoting genetic evaluations derived from producer-owned data in the National Cooperator Database, signifying collaboration providing reliable and independent genetic evaluations.
• QTurn by CDCB Service Genetic evaluation produced utilizing Quick Turnaround service - a snapshot of genomic predictions for traits of high importance. Results are not stored in the National Cooperator Database as ancestry verification is not completed.
• National Performance Metrics Service Aggregate real cow phenotypes and benchmarking data available to the industry for free, expanding the foundation of more than a century of recorded U.S. dairy cattle performance and research.
• Conformation Trait Evaluations Genetic evaluations for 18 linear type traits expressed as Standard Transmitting Abilities (STAs) for Holsteins and as percentage point deviations for other breeds, plus Udder Composite (UDC), Feet and Legs Composite (FLC), and Body Weight Composite (BWC).
• Data Usage Request Service Data from the National Cooperator Database provided to research institutions for approved uses through an external data request process. Fees may apply for commercial and research data applications.
• New Calf Health Traits (DIA, RSP, FSC) New calf health traits and reproductive performance trait revisions including Resistance to Diarrhea (DIA), Resistance to Respiratory Problems (RSP), and First Service to Conception (FSC), integrated into the August 2026 evaluation cycle.

Quantifiable outcome

• 62% of fat plus protein yield increase in U.S. Holsteins attributed to genetic improvement over 50 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and research.

• USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDCB's most critical partnership with USDA AGIL for research and development of genetic and genomic methodologies. AGIL scientists perform world-renowned research supporting top-quality evaluations. This collaboration is foundational to the success of the U.S. dairy genetic system. Until 2013, USDA performed the database and evaluation functions; CDCB assumed this responsibility in 2013 while USDA focuses on research.
• National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAAB unites organizations engaged in artificial insemination and marketing of U.S. genetics for over 75 years. Manages the dairy cross reference database linking AI bulls to genetic evaluations through unique NAAB code identifier.
• Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPDCA is a federation of seven U.S. dairy breed registry associations representing over 60,000 members. Provides animal identification, ancestry documentation, and classification data for the integrated system.
• Dairy Records Providers (Multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState and regional Dairy Records Providers including NDHIA, AgSource, DairyOne, Idaho DHIA, and others that gather on-farm data and operate the U.S. national milk recording program.
• Dairy Records Processing CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRPCs including AgriTech Analytics, Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS), and Amelicor that standardize farm data and transfer to CDCB database.
• Genomic Nominators (Multiple)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 20 certified genomic nominators including ABS Global, Zoetis, Neogen, Select Sires, ST Genetics, Semex, CRV, Eurofins Genomics, and others that collect DNA samples and submit genotypes to CDCB.
• Genotyping LaboratoriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified genotyping labs including Zoetis, Neogen, IFN Schoenow, VHL Genetics, and others that analyze biological samples to determine genetic makeup.
• International CooperatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple international organizations including ADHB (UK), ANAFIJ (Italy), Interbull, Intergenomics, Lactanet (Canada), CRV (Netherlands), CONAFE (Mexico), and Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation for global data exchange and genetic information dissemination.
• Greener Cattle InitiativestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDCB is a founding member of the Greener Cattle Initiative consortium formed in 2021 that funds research to develop solutions for beef and dairy cattle producers to mitigate enteric methane emissions and support climate action.
• University of MinnesotaresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on mobility and hoof health data pipeline project with Dr. Gerard Cramer.
• University of Wisconsin-MadisonresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on enteric methane emissions research, feed efficiency studies, and single-step genomic methodology with researchers including Dr. Francisco Peñagaricano, Dr. Heather White, and Dr. Kent Weigel.
• North Carolina State UniversityresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on genetic evaluation methods and research through the Genetic Evaluation Methods Group (GEM) chaired by Dr. Christian Maltecca.
• University of GeorgiaresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on single-step genomic methodology development with researchers including Dr. Daniela Lourenco, Dr. Matias Bermann, and Dr. Ignacy Misztal.
• Michigan State UniversityresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on enteric methane emissions and feed efficiency research with Dr. Robert Tempelman and Dr. Michael VandeHaar.
• Iowa State UniversityresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on enteric methane emissions research with Dr. James Koltes and Dr. Ranga Appuhamy.
• University of FloridaresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on enteric methane emissions research with Dr. José Santos and Dr. Kwang Jeong.
• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA ARS divisions partner with CDCB including the Dairy Forage Research Center for enteric methane research and Economic Research Service for economic analysis.
• USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIFA provides research funding support for dairy genetic improvement initiatives.
• American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADGA provides type and pedigree data for dairy goat genetic evaluations and collaborates on breed improvement programs.
• Holstein Association USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest U.S. dairy breed association providing animal identification, type classification, and distributing genetic evaluations. Represented on CDCB Board of Directors and DERT.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Select Sires: U.S. farmer-owned cooperative providing AI and dairy genetics services. Select Sires is a CDCB-certified genomic nominator, with overlapping customer bases in U.S. dairy producers and parallel interests in proprietary genetic evaluations.
• ABS Global (URUS Group): Major AI organization and producer of cattle genetics, part of the URUS Group. ABS Global is a certified CDCB genomic nominator and partner, but as an integrated cattle genetics company it increasingly competes in adjacent dairy genetic services and data products.

Direct peers

• CRV: Dutch cooperative providing dairy cattle genetic evaluations, AI services, and herd management software. CRV is both an international cooperator with CDCB and a competing national genetic evaluation system, directly comparable as a member-driven dairy genetics organization.
• Lactanet: Canada's national dairy cattle improvement organization providing genetic evaluations and herd management data services. Operates as the Canadian counterpart to CDCB, exchanging genotypes and evaluations through Interbull and serving as a direct competitor for international market share in dairy genetics.
• Interbull Centre: International genetic evaluation service operated under ICAR, providing across-country comparisons of dairy bulls. CDCB's evaluations are validated through Interbull, and Interbull services create both a dependency and a competing framework for international genetic information delivery.
• CONAFE: Spanish national dairy cattle breeding organization that computes and distributes dairy genetic evaluations for Spain and Latin America. Comparable to CDCB as a national genetic evaluation body and listed international cooperator.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Genomics: Major global genotyping laboratory certified by CDCB to submit genotypes. Operates at scale in agricultural genomics services and is both an upstream data contributor to CDCB and a potential adjacent competitor in evaluation-adjacent services.
• Zoetis: Global animal health company with significant dairy genetics and genomic testing offerings. Zoetis is both a CDCB-certified genotyping lab and an integrated competitor offering dairy genetic services to producers, creating both partnership and competitive overlap.
• Neogen (GeneSeek): Major agricultural genomics and animal safety testing laboratory, formerly GeneSeek. Neogen is a CDCB-certified genotyping lab and a meaningful industry partner, providing genotypic data that flows into the National Cooperator Database.
• Holstein USA: Largest U.S. dairy breed association providing animal identification, type classification, and registry services. While not a direct evaluation competitor, Holstein USA is a core distribution partner for CDCB evaluations and a coordinating entity with overlapping data and customer relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CDCBgenetics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/council-on-dairy-cattle-breeding
• Facebookfacebook.com/councilondairycattlebreeding

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding