The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) team is working full speed ahead to ensure continuity so that none of our services, including U.S. genetic evaluations, will be impacted by COVID-19 or related measures. We expect to execute the weekly genomic evaluations and April 7 tri-annual evaluations as planned.

CDCB has worked proactively to mitigate risk and ensure business continuity, with top priorities given to the well-being of our colleagues, public health and seamless continuation of services.

All CDCB staff is teleworking until further notice, in line with recommendations from Maryland authorities, effective the evening of March 16. Our work obligations and standard working hours remain unchanged during this home office period. Our systems and processes are designed to be seamlessly conducted from remote locations.

Best ways to contact

Collaborators, please continue to use Redmine, the CDCB customer service system. Redmine provides faster response time, real-time interaction, and documentation and tracking of discussions and activity.

Email is the best way to reach our staff. Emails will be constantly monitored. The general email [email protected] is monitored by multiple people.

Be aware the CDCB office phone line is not responsive.

Our website, uscdcb.com, data queries and other online functions remain available 24/7. As always, if and when there is system downtime for updates, maintenance or network issues, we will send notice as soon as possible.

As previously communicated

CDCB has also taken these actions, effective immediately until further notice:

• CDCB’s Genomic Nominators and Laboratories workshop (originally scheduled for May) and internal all-staff events are postponed to a later date to be announced.
• All staff trips are canceled until further notice. Our team will participate in events through remote means to maintain external networks and provide support.
• The Board of Directors will meet virtually rather than in person.

As always, please reach out to your contacts at CDCB with any questions or comments.

The CDCB team recognizes our important role for your businesses and dairy farms worldwide. Our staff and systems are on track to implement the U.S. genetic evaluations and provide the service you expect. We will continue to monitor the evolving environment and inform you of relevant changes.

Be safe.

Sincerely,

João Dürr

Chief Executive Officer
Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding