Animal database
3 min read
The Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD) is a database that holds data for every recorded dairy cow in New Zealand. The DIGAD project is involved in building a database, animal evaluation models, and developing systems for certified herd testing providers to submit data. Access to the data held in DIGAD can be requested through DairyNZ, and data standards are in place to maintain the quality of data.
StandardsNZ are leading a public consultation on a review of the 2015 Dairy Herd Testing Standards. Find out more and have your say here: NZS 8100 Dairy herd testing - Standards New Zealand - Citizen Space. Comments close 13 December 2023.
The proposed new standard is modernised and aligns with current practices. It has undergone a large-scale refresh and now identifies a broader range of management practices and variable milking regimes. Farmers can now account for differing treatments and accurately record milking regimes. The proposed changes will set new data quality standards. High-quality data is important for accurate animal evaluation and identifying elite animals.
The DIGAD CDP interface specification – which outlines how certified herd record providers supply data to DIGAD (Dairy Industry Good Animal Database) - would also need to be updated in line with the Herd Test Standard.
The Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD) holds pedigree and performance data for every recorded dairy cow in NZ.
This database contains all the data required to operate Animal Evaluation (AE) and was established within DairyNZ on the 1 December 2014.
The key outcome of this project will be to transition the operation and maintenance of NZ’s dairy cattle animal evaluation system from LIC’s Animal Evaluation Unit to NZAEL, a wholly owned subsidiary of DairyNZ.
Achieving ongoing genetic gain has been a cornerstone of the New Zealand dairy farmers’ competitiveness. It has been estimated that genetic improvement of dairy cattle contributes $300 million in profit, to the economy per annum. The DIGAD (Dairy Industry Good Animal Database) project is designed to help lift that contribution even further.
The DIGAD work is one of the most substantial database projects undertaken since herd records were first computerised (in the mid-1980s). It was initiated following recommendations in the Anderson Report in 2008, which provided a review of the New Zealand herd improvement industry.
The project has allowed us to identify a better method of processing fertility and body condition score data, which increases the accuracy of the corresponding breeding values (these benefits were realised in 2016).
Industry collaboration is significantly contributing to the seamless transition of a dairy farmer’s perspective, given the complexity of the data and systems involved.
Background of DIGAD
In 2008, DairyNZ established a committee headed by Professor Robert Anderson, to undertake a comprehensive review of the New Zealand dairy industry’s animal database.
The Committee sought and considered submissions from a range of organisations and individuals, and released a range of recommendations in a report titled the New Zealand Dairy Herd Improvement Database Review.
Two recommendations in this report were to transfer the Core Database and the animal evaluation function from LIC to an industry good body.
In August 2013, DairyNZ and LIC signed a formal agreement setting out the terms of the transfer of the Core Database and the licensing of the Animal Evaluation Intellectual Property to enable DairyNZ to operate and develop the New Zealand Animal Evaluation system.
DIGAD contains both core and non-core data, and there are separate regulations or conditions which control the use and distribution of each data set.
The core data comprises of 46 fields of raw data prescribed in the dairy industry (Herd Testing and New Zealand Dairy Core Database) Amendment Regulations 2014. The data is generated through herd recording (calvings/matings etc.) and herd measurement (herd testing, herd weighing). Data is initially collected by herd recording providers, who then pass it on to the DIGAD. There are regulations which restrict the use of core data, click here for further details set out in the regulations 2014.
Non-core data is also supplied by herd recording providers and includes information about body condition score, and traits other than production (such as udder support and cow temperament) which are collected and assessed by Participating Breed Society inspectors. The distribution of this data is governed through an agreement with the supplier and there are conditions around data use. Anyone requiring access to this data should discuss their requirements with the DIGAD Administrator.
The primary use of core and non-core data is to calculate the Breeding Worth of animals through the animal evaluation function. This function is currently performed by LIC on behalf of DairyNZ.
Core data is available through DairyNZ for industry good purposes, and access is granted through the core data access panel.
DairyNZ as the custodian of the core database is governed by the Dairy Industry (Herd Testing and New Zealand Dairy Core Database) Regulations 2001.
Regulation 25 (Confidentiality) requires DairyNZ to keep confidential:
Requests and subsequent data access is confidential. Details of the applicant, the intended use of data and the scope of data provided will not be disclosed outside DairyNZ or the access panel.
Access to data held in the DIGAD can be formally requested through DairyNZ.
The governance process for accessing data ensures industry good data is protected from misuse and inappropriate distribution. All requests and data provisioning (including the intended use) will be tracked and monitored.
Requests and subsequent data access is confidential. Details of the applicant, the intended use of data and the scope of data provided will not be disclosed outside DairyNZ or the Access Panel.
How to request data
1. Complete the form below: The database administrator will discuss the following:
To make an inquiry regarding data access, please complete the form below.
If you prefer to send your inquiry by fax or post, please download and complete this form.
Requested data output
Data standards are put in place to help maintain and enhance the quality of animal data entering DIGAD as this data is used for research and animal evaluation purposes.
All data requests are reviewed by the Access Panel, and the success of the application depends on the intended use of the data. Data will be supplied to applicants if it is determined to be for the benefit of the dairy industry.
The table below summarises the costs associated with data requests:
Description | Cost |
Application fee (payable to Core Database Panel) | $179.31 per request ($200 including GST) |
Administration fee | $500 per request |
Base programming fee | $600 per approved data extract |
Additional programming fee | $150 per hour (or part thereof) |
Extract fee | $0.33 per animal per season of Core Data |
Maximum cost per extract | $80,000 |
Additional extracts fee | $500 per extract and $0.03 per animal |
Herd testing is available to all dairy farmers, providing the herd test standard can be met.
Key points covered by the Standard released in July 2015:
To find out how herd testing can be carried out in your herd, please contact your preferred certified herd tester.
Name | Contact Details | Certified by | Date certified |
CRV AmBreed New Zealand Ltd | www.crv4all.co.nz Ph: 0800 262 733 |
Telarc SAI Ltd | 11 March 2011 |
Livestock Improvement Corporation | www.lic.co.nz Ph: 0800 264 632 |
Telarc SAI Ltd | 28 November 2013 |
To become a Certified Herd Tester, contact the certification body listed below:
Telarc SAI Ltd: www.telarc.co.nz
Email: info@telarc.co.nz
Ph: 0800 004 004
A full version of the Herd Test Standard may be purchased on-line from the Standards New Zealand website: (Keyword: NZS 8100:2015)
The following supplementary information is available free of charge:
A contemporary group is a group of animals within a herd who are the same age, and who calved in the same season (i.e. Spring calving).
All lactating cows in a contemporary group must be tested on the same day, with the exception of cows that are not fit for testing (sick/injured). More info available.