Each dairy breed has established breed standards for type.  Classification is the means of measuring how close an animal comes to the ideal.  Like all things, classification has evolved over the years as breed goals and the environment in which the cow lives change.  Classification is performed by a small group of well-trained individuals who meet on a regular basis to ensure the quality and uniformity of the program. Classification information has two primary purposes, breeding and marketing.
As a breeding tool, the breeder can look at the linear scores to see where his cow needs improvement and select matings accordingly. The linear scores from each daughter go into the UDSA sire summary information and describe the type traits of a bull’s offspring.
As a marketing tool, the breakdowns and final score appear on pedigrees and in advertising.  The final score is used the most to promote the animal and her offspring with the mammary breakdown score the second most used classification score in advertising.
 
Application for Classification       Rules ​    Linear Type Traits

*Classification rates will increase by $2 per head as of April 1, 2021.  

2021 Regular Type Classification Schedule        

​January
PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA
Classification Apps Due
November 1, 2020
 
February
KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, MO, OK, TX
Classification Apps Due
December 1, 2020
 
March
WI
Classification Apps Due
January 1, 2021
 
April
CA, NV, AZ, NM, WA, OR, MT, WY, ID, UT, CO 
Classification Apps Due
February 1, 2021
 
May
IN, MI, OH, WV
Classification Apps Due
March 1, 2021
 
June
NY, CT, MA, RI, ME, NH, VT
Classification Apps Due
April 1, 2021
 
July
IL, IA, MN, ND, SD, NE, KS
Classification Apps Due
May 1, 2021
 
August
PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA
Classification Apps Due
June 1, 2021
 
September
KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, MO, OK, TX
Classification Apps Due
July 1, 2021
 
October
WI
Classification Apps Due
August 1, 2021
 
November
CA, NV, AZ, NM, WA, OR, MT, WY, ID, UT, CO 
Classification Apps Due
September 1, 2021
 
December
IN, MI, OH, WV
Classification Apps Due
October 1, 2021
 
---------2022----------
 
January
NY, CT, MA, RI, ME, NH, VT
Classification Apps Due
November 1, 2021
 
February
IL, IA, MN, ND, SD, NE, KS
Classification Apps Due
December 1, 2021