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CDCB fee for A.I. bulls that are marketed on U.S. genomic values
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that is responsible for protecting animal health, animal welfare, and plant health.
aAa is a breeding tool that analyzes the structural make-up of an animal considered for mating. aAa focuses on identifying the structural problems of an animal that may cause poor performance, such that mating to a recommended animal can make improvements in the resulting offspring. aAa was founded by Bill Weeks.
The Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that performs world-renowned research to develop and test new genetic and genomic methodologies. This research supports top-quality evaluations, data integrity and implementation of technology and new scientific learnings.
The proprietary total merit index for the U.S. Ayrshire breed that is owned and managed by the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders’ Association
The U.S. dairy genetic evaluation publishes PTAs on six different bases. There is a base for each of the six breeds – Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn, Ayrshire . Any dairy animal that goes through the U.S. genetic evaluation process will have its PTAs published on one of the six bases. Animals of dairy breeds that differ from the breeds mentioned above will have PTAs published on one of the six main bases. PTAs for crossbred animals will be published on the base that is most appropriate given their Breed Base Representation (BBR). The breed of evaluation is published with the PTAs on industry lists and should be published alongside the PTAs on published marketing material.
One of the caseins in milk protein that occurs in two variants: A1 and A2. Also the name of the gene that regulates whether an animal produces milk of the A1, A2 or mixed A1 and A2 variety. The A2 casein has one more amino acid in its structure compared to the A1 casein. Beta Casein does not affect lactose or lactose intolerance.
One of the genes affecting whey content in milk protein. Animals can have one of three possible genotypes for beta lactoglobulin: AA, BB, or AB
BBR was introduced in 2016 as an estimate of the percentage of DNA contributed to an individual animal by each of the 5 dairy breeds evaluated in the U.S.: Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, and Guernsey. BBR values are used to determine the breed base for which the individual animal’s evaluation will be reported. Crossbred animals are reported on the breed base with the highest BBR value. BBR is calculated by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB).
Proprietary total merit index for the U.S. Brown Swiss breed that is owned and managed by the Brown Swiss Association
Cross reference bull status codes are one letter codes that are owned and managed by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) and identify the activity status and/or semen availability status of an A.I. bull. Active bull status codes include A, F, G and P. Inactive bull status codes are I, C and N.
Certified Semen Services, or CSS, is the organization that controls the health testing protocols in the U.S. All large U.S. A.I. companies and numerous smaller collection centers are members of CSS. CSS works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is recognized as the industry expert by international import markets. CSS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB).
Four-digit number that identifies the business or the qualifying marketing organization listed as the Controller of a bull in the NAAB cross reference databases. All NAAB marketing codes are linked to specific Controller numbers.
A non-profit organization that calculates and distributes the U.S. genetic evaluations and genomic predictions, analyzes dairy performance data and manages the world’s largest database of genotypes and phenotypes for dairy cows.
Database managed and owned by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), which cross references animal information of active and historic A.I. sires with NAAB Uniform codes and provides sire identification information to the CDCB for genetic evaluations
Genomic predictions for animals that have ancestors of more than one of the 5 main U.S. breeds are calculated as a blended average of the respective single-breed marker effects. The predictions are weighted by the estimated portion of the animal’s DNA that came from each of the 5 breeds (Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, and Guernsey).
The U.S. organizations that aggregate, normalize and distribute milk testing data and provide herd management information. DRPCs standardize and submit animal records for lactation, reproduction, health, calving, herd, test day, and yearly average to the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) database for genetic evaluations.
The field service organizations and milk testing laboratories that operate the U.S. national milk recording program. DRPs often cover a regional area, and they work together on national issues and data quality standards through National Dairy Herd Improvement Association (NDHIA).
DMS is a breeding tool to achieve a mating to strengthen the next generation. DMS focuses on three major parts of the animal. Each animal is visually analyzed to determine strengths and weaknesses that may be passed on to offspring, and that analysis is then used to make mating decisions.
Dairy Wellness Profit Index. Proprietary index owned and managed by Zoetis and calculated as part of the Zoetis Clarifide® genomic test.
Twice the estimated difference of a parent animal’s offspring from average, due to the genes transmitted from that parent. EBV = 2 x PTA
Used as a term to categorize traits that are not quantitatively evaluated but rather expressed by a single genetic variant. Examples are genetic defects and conditions such as polled and red factor.
Measures the actual homozygosity and percentages of genes in common of an animal. The genomic inbreeding is obtained from the diagonal of the genomic relationship matrix and is related to the portion of an animal’s markers that are homozygous, which is more precise than calculating pedigree inbreeding.
A scientifically-advanced method used by Interbull to calculate International Genomic Evaluations. International Genetic Evaluations are across-country measures of genetic merit of dairy for individual traits. The USA is not an active participant of GMACE.
Organizations responsible for collecting DNA samples from the animal owner, providing CDCB with information about the animals sampled, and transferring the DNA samples to the genotyping laboratory. Nominators must meet CDCB quality certification guidelines before they are permitted to participate, and their performance is audited on an annual basis.
A genomic-enhanced PTA (Predicted Transmitting Ability)
A form of marker-assisted selection in which genetic markers that cover the entire genome are used in combination with pedigree and performance information to evaluate the genetic merit of an animal
Evaluation of an animal’s genetic merit through means of a biological sample, DNA extraction, genotyping and subsequent genomic evaluation.
Assessing the genetic constitution of an animal through means of DNA extraction and determination of allele status of genetic markers distributed across the genome
Laboratories that extract DNA from samples, prepares single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes, provides summary information back to the genomic nominator, and transfers the genotypes to the CDCB. Laboratories must meet CDCB quality certification guidelines before they are permitted to participate, and their performance is audited on an annual basis.
Proprietary total merit index for the U.S. Guernsey breed that is owned and managed by the American Guernsey Association
Sequence of DNA markers, most often SNPs. Currently used as a tool to analyze carrier status of a genetic condition, most often when the causal variant is unknown or not on a commercial genotyping chip.
A permanent sub-committee of the International Committee For Animal Recording (ICAR). Interbull is the worldwide network that provides genetic information services for improvement of livestock. Interbull is mostly known for across-country evaluations that allow the evaluation of a foreign bull on a local scale. The Interbull Center is located in Uppsala, Sweden.
Large international consortium that established and manages the international genomic evaluation for the Brown Swiss breed
An international non-governmental organization that aims to promote the development and improvement of animal identification, performance recording and evaluation in farm animal production
Commonly referred to a IRegs, these are the bilateral agreed regulations for export of livestock and their germinal products. US IRegs can be found on the USDA APHIS site.
System owned and used by US Jersey to identify the purity status of Jersey animals. Jersey registered animals will have their generation count listed at the end of their registered name via a number flanked by { }. A higher number indicates a higher proven purity status. Generation counts range from 0 to 6 and factor into the registration eligibility of Jersey animals.
Proprietary total merit index for the U.S. Jersey breed that is owned and managed by US Jersey.
Proprietary index for udder-related traits in the U.S. Jersey breed that is owned and managed by US Jersey.
One of the genes affecting casein content in milk protein. Animals can have one of six possible genotypes for Kappa Casein: AA, AB, AE, BE, BB or EE. Animals with the BB genotype for Kappa Casein have a slightly higher Kappa Casein content in milk, which can be beneficial for cheese making.
A sequence of repetitive DNA in which certain DNA motifs are repeated, which is often used as genetic markers for parent verification
Used as a term to categorize traits that are not quantitatively evaluated but rather expressed by a single (mono) genetic variant.
A scientifically-advanced method used by Interbull to calculate International Genetic Evaluations. International Genetic Evaluations are across-country measures of genetic merit of dairy for individual traits.
Three-digit code owned and allocated by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB). The Marketing Code is used in place of the NAAB-ICAR Stud Location Code in the NAAB Uniform Code on the straw when the NAAB-ICAR Stud Location Code of the semen production and/or processing organization is also printed on the straw separate from the NAAB Uniform Code and standing alone. Marketing codes are assigned for a specific permitted purpose, such as the identification of a different semen product or commercial or research purposes. The NAAB Uniform Codes on a bull can therefore differ in marketing codes and will often demonstrate if the semen in the straw is of the conventional or sex-sorted variety.
Three-digit code owned and allocated by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB). The Stud Location code identifies the semen-producing business and applicable subsidiary production or secondary processing locations. The code is printed on semen straws that are produced by Certified Semen Services (CSS) participants following CSS guidelines.
Also referred to as the “NAAB code.” This 10-digit code is owned and managed by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) to identify bull used for A.I. The code is printed on semen straws that are produced by Certified Semen Services (CSS) participants following CSS guidelines. NAAB Uniform Code consists of a three-digit marketing code, a two-digit breed code and a five-digit bull number. The Uniform Code is used to cross reference breedings to animal information, sire identification, traceability purposes and the US genetic evaluation.
Trade association that represents the U.S. A.I. industry. NAAB manages the dairy cross reference database which links A.I. bulls to the genetic evaluations through their unique NAAB code identifier. NAAB also owns Certified Semen Services (CSS), the authority responsible for monitoring and auditing U.S. collection centers to ensure semen quality and safety.
The national selection index in the U.S., which combines 36 individual traits following the most recent update in 2018. Net Merit includes traits for milk yield, conformation, health and fitness. Selection indices are essential tools in dairy cattle breeding because they enable information about many traits to be combined into a single value for ranking animals and making selection decisions.
The predicted difference of a parent animal’s offspring from average, due to the genes transmitted from that parent. Each PTA is expressed in the units used to measure the trait. For example, the PTA for Milk is reported in pounds or kilograms, and the PTA for Productive Life is reported in months. EBV = 2 x PTA since a PTA describes the transmission of one singular parent which is 50% of the total – estimated by the Estimated Breeding value (EBV).
Genetic conditions that are expressed in homozygous form. Recessives can be positive or negative; they are most often referred in the context of a genetic defect.
Assessing the genetic constitution of an animal by DNA extraction and determination (‘reading’) of the animals’ entire genome (all base pairs)
Recessive genetic variant that is expressed in the form of a smooth coat with correlated advantages for heat resistance
A substitution of a single nucleotide at a specific position in the genome that is present in a sufficiently large fraction of the population. Present in abundance and used as a genetic marker in genomic selection.
Genetic evaluations for linear type traits are often expressed as STAs. Standardized values for linear traits are used because each trait has a different average PTA and the PTA ranges vary within traits. As a result of the standardization, linear type traits have an average of 0. Both extremes for each trait are approximately 3 STA units from the average.
The proprietary total merit index for the U.S. Holstein breed that is owned and managed by Holstein Association USA
Federal Department of Agriculture, part of the United States federal government
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