NAAB Cross Reference Program

What is it?

The NAAB Cross Reference Program maintains identification information on dairy bulls which have been assigned NAAB uniform codes. This information is then made available to the industry for improving the level of sire identification.

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is a key cooperator in this program. They check the information against the breed associations' pedigree files to ensure the bulls are accurately identified. When verified, this information is incorporated in the CDCB files and distributed to the industry along with the genetic evaluations.

The Dairy Record Processing Centers also use this information to process DHIA production records. When they encounter a production record for a cow whose sire is identified with an NAAB uniform code, they use the information supplied by NAAB to cross reference this code with his correct registration number. This is where the program received its name.

Therefore, the NAAB Cross Reference Program provides, to cooperating organizations, important identification information for computing genetic evaluations.

The NAAB Uniform Code

The NAAB Uniform Code conveys three useful pieces of information:

• A one to three digit numeric code indicating where the semen was processed.
• A two letter alpha code designating the breed of the bull (HO = Holstein)
• A one to five digit numeric code identifying the bull which produced the semen.

All NAAB Uniform Codes assigned to dairy or beef bulls by a semen production or processing business must be reported to NAAB and enrolled in the dairy or beef cross reference database.

Enrolling a bull's code in the NAAB Cross Reference Program makes his NAAB uniform code a useful identification tool throughout the dairy industry.

Why Participate?

Proper identification of a bull's eligible daughters is the most important reason to participate. Because the NAAB code is conveniently available at the time of insemination, it is a common form of sire identification. However, before a cow's production record can be used for genetic evaluations, her sire needs to be identified with a registration number. Enrollment in the cross reference program enables a sire's NAAB code to be converted to his registration number.

If you are planning to progeny test a bull in multiple herds, you will have little control over how a bull's daughters will be identified. Many production records are not used in genetic evaluations because the sire is not properly identified. By listing your bull in the NAAB Cross Reference Program you will make his NAAB uniform code a proper form of identification. This will increase the chances that all of a bull's daughters will get properly identified. He will then receive an earlier and more complete genetic evaluation.

Participation in the Cross Reference Program is open to any bonafide owner or lessee of a dairy bull with an NAAB code.

How does it work?

The NAAB Cross Reference Program operates on a cycle corresponding with the CDCB genetic evaluations. To initially enroll in the program, simply contact NAAB and we will supply the necessary forms and information. For a bull to be included in the genetic evaluation, he needs to be enrolled by the data due dates listed below.

After the initial enrollment, you may request a login from NAAB. This will allow you to update your bulls before each triannual evaluation.

Participants pay a one-time enrollment fee. They also pay for each NAAB uniform code enrolled in the program. For the exact amounts, contact Donna Craig at NAAB (dcraig@naab-css.org).

Cross Reference Calendar