Sampling Codes

Sampling codes provide the dairy industry with information regarding the type of program through which a bull has been sampled. At the end of 1998, the NAAB Board of Directors acted to change the program. The new coding system is more informative. It tells a user about the size of the original progeny test and who did the proving.

Starting February, 1999, NAAB is only reporting “S” and “O”codes.

S indicating Standard sampling, i.e. progeny tested in 40 or more herds.

O indicating Other sampling, i.e., progeny tested in less than 40 herds or not reported to NAAB by three years of age.

There are no longer any “M” codes. Bulls previously recorded as “M” have been changed to “S”. The original controller number identifies the organization responsible for the initial proving of the bull.

An example of the NAAB data block information for the bull COYNE-FARMS PRELUD BOSCO-ET is:

BOSCO is a bull originally proven by the Chautauqua Breeders, Clymer, NY (controller number 2121) in 40 or more herds. He is an ACTIVE AI bull being marketed by ABS (stud code 29). The bull block is much more informative than the simple sampling code.