Interbull Centre

What Interbull Centre does

Interbull Centre, founded in 1994, is a permanent subcommittee of the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) and operates as a section of the Department of Animal Biosciences at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. It is the globally recognized provider of independent international genetic and genomic evaluations for dairy cattle, producing 360 million breeding values per year across six major breeds (Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Jersey, Red Dairy Cattle, Simmental). The Centre holds formal status as the European Union Reference Centre for Zootechnics under EU Regulation 2016/1012 and is ISO 9001 certified.

Its core technical stack comprises three proprietary evaluation systems: MACE (Multiple-trait Across Country Evaluation), a linear multi-trait model that computes cross-country conversion coefficients for dairy bull breeding values; GMACE (International Genomic Evaluation of Young Bulls), which uses a parameter-space approach to compute Mendelian Sampling deviations for genomic evaluation of pre-progeny-tested bulls; and InterGenomics, an iterative nonlinear Bayes A model (curve parameter 1.05) for direct genomic value prediction. Supporting infrastructure includes the IDEA data exchange platform, GenoEx genotype management database, PREPdb (a knowledge base of national evaluation procedures), and specialized validation software (GEBV Test, TrendTest).

The business model is member-funded: ICAR member organizations subscribe annually and appoint National Genetic Evaluation Centres (NGECs) to provide national evaluation data. Revenue derives from tiered annual service fees — a €4,455 base MACE fee plus variable per-daughter fees, separate genomic evaluation fees (€52.55 down to €5.25 per 1,000 milk-recorded cows depending on herd size), and per-trait fees (e.g., 30% of production fee for conformation, 15% for udder health, longevity, calving). Services are distributed three times per year (April, August, December) with test runs in January, May, and September, delivered via secure FTP and web platforms directly to participating NGECs across 26+ countries.

Name

Interbull Centre

Legal name

Interbull Centre

Website

https://interbull.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Interbull Centre is the permanent ICAR subcommittee and EU Reference Centre for Zootechnics that computes international genetic and genomic evaluations for dairy cattle, serving National Genetic Evaluation Centres across 26+ countries through MACE, GMACE, and InterGenomics services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Cattle Genetic Evaluation Services

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (112120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Genomic Testing & Genetic Evaluation Services (AFAEAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genetic Testing & Genomic Profiling Services (Parentage, Trait Testing) (AFACAEAE), Genetic Trait Selection (e.g., polled, disease resistance) Services (AFAEAJAJ), Dairy Breeding & Genetics (AI, Embryo Transfer) (AFAEACAD)

Keywords

• International genetic evaluation
• Dairy cattle genomics
• Breeding value estimation
• Animal recording services
• Zootechnical reference centre

Headquarters

HQ city

Uppsala

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual MACE Service Fees: Annual service fees based on 5-Year Increase in Milk Daughters. Fees include a basic fee of €4,455 plus variable fees tiered by daughter count: €54.65 per 1,000 daughters (≤100), €20.84 (101-300), €7.80 (301-1,000), €5.24 (1,001-2,400), €0.29 (>2,400). For service users with multiple data providers, 10% multiplier added per additional NGEC.
2. Trait-Specific Evaluation Fees: Tiered fees based on percentage of production evaluation: Conformation traits 30%, Udder Health/Mastitis 15%, Longevity 15%, Calving traits 15%, Female Fertility 20%, Workability 5%, GEBV validation 15%.
3. Genomic Evaluation Fees: Stratified fees per 1,000 cows in milk recording scheme: €52.55 for 50,000-100,000 cows, €21.00 for 100,001-200,000, €10.50 for 200,001-400,000, €5.25 above 400,000.
4. Truncated MACE Evaluation: Fixed fees: €1,545 for single breed NGECs, €2,575 for 2+ breed NGECs. Additional 10% multiplier per extra data-providing NGEC.
5. Genetic Traits Exchange Service: Fee for exchanging genetic traits information: €1,030 per breed, €515 per additional breed. Offered for Holstein and Brown Swiss.
6. GenoEx-PSE Service: Subscription fee of €1,060 for participating in GenoEx-PSE service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Interbull Centre provides international genetic and genomic evaluation services for dairy cattle, computing standardized breeding values and conversion coefficients across countries and breeds using proprietary methodologies (MACE, GMACE, InterGenomics). Services are delivered to participating National Genetic Evaluation Centres (NGECs) three times per year (April, August, December) with additional test runs in January, May, and September, via proprietary databases (IDEA, GenoEx, PREPdb) and FTP distribution. As a permanent subcommittee of ICAR hosted at SLU and the EU Reference Centre for Zootechnics, it operates a member-funded model serving the global dairy cattle breeding industry.

Product overview

Interbull Centre operates a suite of international genetic and genomic evaluation services for dairy cattle, centered on MACE (Multiple-trait Across Country Evaluation) for conventional breeding values and GMACE for young bull genomic evaluations. Supporting platforms include IDEA for data exchange, GenoEx for genotype management, PREPdb for documenting national evaluation procedures, and specialized validation tools (GEBV Test, TrendTest). The Centre holds EU Reference Centre for Zootechnics designation and publishes the Interbull Bulletin journal. Services are provided three times yearly (April, August, December routine runs; January, May, September test runs) to participating National Genetic Evaluation Centres worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MACE (Multiple-trait Across Country Evaluation): International genetic evaluation service for dairy bulls using linear multiple-trait across country model analysis
• GMACE (International Genomic Evaluation of Young Bulls)
• InterGenomics
• IDEA (Interbull Data Exchange Area)
• GenoEx
• PREPdb
• EURC for Zootechnics

Products and services

• MACE (Multiple-trait Across Country Evaluation) International genetic evaluation service computing cross-country breeding value conversions using a linear multi-trait model. Provides conversion coefficients (a- and b-values) between participating countries and supports dairy breeds including Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Jersey, Red Dairy Cattle, and Simmental. Results delivered to participating National Genetic Evaluation Centres (NGECs).
• GMACE (International Genomic Evaluation of Young Bulls) International genomic evaluation service for young bulls without progeny information, using Mendelian Sampling deviations computed as national GEBV minus MACE Parent Average. Enables genomic predictions for bulls up to 7 years of age across participating countries.
• InterGenomics (International Genotype-based Evaluation) International genomic evaluation using an iterative, nonlinear model with heavy-tailed prior for marker effects (analogous to Bayes A). Computes Direct Genomic Values (DGV) combined with polygenic effects for genomically enhanced breeding values (GEBV).
• IDEA (Interbull Data Exchange Area) Web-based platform for participating NGECs to upload pedigree files, predicted genetic merit files, and parameters. Includes the AnimInfo module for exchanging genetic traits information including breed percentages, genetic trait codes, and Holstein Red type classifications.
• GenoEx (Genomic Exchange Database) Platform for NGECs to upload and exchange genotype data used in international genomic evaluations. Genotypes are processed through InterGenomics and GMACE services.
• PREPdb (PREP Database) Database for NGECs to document and share national genetic evaluation procedures, trait definitions, genetic models, and methodology changes. Provides standardized forms for describing evaluation systems.
• GEBV Test Validation Software Software for validating national genomic breeding value evaluations before inclusion in international GMACE evaluations. Tests for bias in GEBV through time-oriented cross-validation comparing reduced-data predictions against progeny performance.
• TrendTest Software Software implementing three trend validation methods (and Mendelian Sampling Variance Test) to verify consistency of genetic trends in national evaluations before data inclusion in international MACE evaluations.
• European Union Reference Centre (EURC) for Zootechnics Official designation as European Union Reference Centre for Zootechnics providing validations, publications, and challenge responses related to zootechnical and breeding operations across EU member states.
• Interbull Bulletin (peer-reviewed journal) Peer-reviewed journal publishing proceedings of Interbull annual meetings, technical workshops, and research on genetic evaluation methodology. Published annually through journal.interbull.org.
• Interbull Forum Online discussion platform for the Interbull community to share information, discuss evaluation procedures, and facilitate communication among participating NGECs.
• Genetic Traits Exchange Service Service for exchanging direct genetic test results for recessive traits, including BLAD, CVM, DUMPS, bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency, and other genetic defects. Currently available for Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 360 Million Breeding Values computed and distributed annually across participating countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterbull is a permanent subcommittee of ICAR, receiving its responsibilities and authority from ICAR. The Letter of Agreement between ICAR and SLU defines the mandate for providing international genetic evaluation services. ICAR members are required for service participation.
• SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Interbull Centre is a section of the Department of Animal Biosciences of SLU in Uppsala, Sweden. SLU provides institutional hosting, research capabilities, and academic framework. The Letter of Agreement between ICAR and SLU formalizes this relationship.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterbull Centre holds formal status of European Union Reference Centre for Zootechnics as defined by REGULATION (EU) 2016/1012. This regulatory designation provides official recognition for EURC functions including validations, PREPdb, reports, and challenges related to zootechnical matters.
• Qualitas AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualitas AG (Switzerland) participates in Interbull services. Its CEO Urs Schnyder serves as Interbull Steering Committee Chair (2025-). Represents Swiss breeders in international genetic evaluations.
• ADSA (American Dairy Science Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual joint conference collaboration. 2025 Interbull Meeting held in conjunction with ADSA annual meeting in Louisville, KY, USA. Includes joint sessions on genetic diversity and sustainability.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• CRV: Dutch-Flemish cooperative providing cattle breeding and herd improvement services, including genomic evaluations. CRV is an Interbull service user and a notable regional player with deep Dutch and international dairy genetics expertise.
• AHDB Dairy (Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board): UK levy-board-funded dairy improvement organization providing genetic and performance data, including UK national evaluations feeding into Interbull. A regional player rather than an international-evaluation platform.

Others

• EAAP (European Federation of Animal Science): European scientific association covering animal science including genetics and breeding. EAAP provides an academic/scientific community adjacent to Interbull's research collaboration model and annual meeting circuit, but is not a direct evaluator of breeding values.
• World Holstein Friesian Federation (WHFF): International body for Holstein-Friesian breed standards and harmonization. WHFF interacts with Interbull on breed definitions and international classification, making it a thematically adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
• ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording): Interbull's parent organization and permanent subcommittee host. ICAR sets animal recording standards globally and is the governance counterpart under which Interbull operates, providing institutional continuity but also concentrating governance dependency.

Broad incumbents

• Neogen (Animal Genomics): Global animal genomics and food safety testing provider with genomic profiling services comparable in technology to Interbull's InterGenomics pipeline. A broad incumbent rather than a focused international-evaluation specialist.
• Zoetis (Genetics / Clarifide): Large animal-health and genetics company offering commercial genomic testing and breeding services (e.g., Clarifide for dairy). Overlaps with Interbull at the genomic-prediction layer but as a broad incumbent across many species and geographies rather than specializing in international dairy evaluation.

Direct peers

• Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB): CDCB runs the US national genetic evaluation system for dairy cattle and supplies data into Interbull's MACE/GMACE services. It is the most direct functional peer, performing the same type of genetic evaluation work at national level that Interbull does internationally.
• VikingGenetics: Nordic cattle genetics cooperative providing international dairy and beef genetics evaluation services across Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Comparable to Interbull in operating across countries, but at the breeding-program level rather than the international-evaluation reference level.
• Lactanet: Canadian network for dairy herd improvement and genetic evaluations, including the former Canadian Dairy Network. Lactanet is a participating NGEC and provides Canadian data into Interbull, while also producing national genomic evaluations using comparable methodologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interbull-centre

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Interbull Centre