Every sire proof and index dairy producers use depends on one thing: data. Milk weights, health records, and genomic samples from farms across the country all feed into the U.S. genetic evaluation system. More than 60 organizations work together to turn those records into tools farmers use for breeding and herd management.
That collaboration was in focus last week in Milwaukee, where the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) held its second National Cooperator Database Workshop. Over 100 participants gathered to discuss how to make evaluations more accurate and useful on farms.
Key Priorities for Genetic Progress
Stronger data contribution
Each herd record added to the database improves the accuracy of genetic predictions. By sharing production and health data, farmers help build better proofs and indexes for the entire industry.
New tools for herd records
Projects such as the Herd Portal and new data pipelines aim to cut paperwork and simplify record sharing.
Single-step evaluations
This new approach combines pedigree, performance, and genomic information into one calculation. The result should be more reliable predictions for traits like fertility, health, and production.
Net Merit updates
With farm economics shifting, Net Merit $ is being updated to reflect today’s costs and priorities, including feed and fertility.
On-Farm Benefits Producers Will See
Breeding programs: More reliable proofs mean fewer surprises when heifers freshen.
Record-keeping: Simpler data systems reduce paperwork and duplication.
Profit focus: Net Merit revisions ensure indexes stay aligned with current farm economics.
As CDCB CEO João Dürr noted: “The fact that our community here is not afraid of change makes progress possible.”For producers, that progress means better tools, stronger data, and more confident breeding decisions.
