---
title: Set Animal Breed (CBRD)
slug: help/en-us/dairycomp/animal-breed
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-01-26T11:43:17.943Z
---

<font color="#67854E">**Question**</font>: How do I set the breed for an animal? Is there a way to set a default breed for the system? What about new calves?

<font color="#67854E">**Answer**</font>: In DairyComp, the breed of an animal is indicated by the CBRD (Cattle Breed) item. You can set the default CBRD for the system, or you can change the CBRD item for individual animals. You can also configure the system to prompt for a new calf's CBRD when a FRESH event is entered.

Expand the topics below to learn more about each option:

::::ExpandableHeading
## Set the Default CBRD

To set the default CBRD item that's assigned to new animals in DairyComp, enter SETUP in the command line to open the SETUP window, then select the Preferences tab.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/VHRx2KYHhknLzf9W9Jqcq_setupbreed.png" size="32" width="1190" height="508" position="flex-start" darkWidth="1190" darkHeight="508" showCaption="false"}

In the **Default Breeds** field, enter the breed code you want to set as the default. When you're done, click **OK**.

:::ExpandableHeading
### What codes can I enter for the different breeds?

The following codes are commonly used in DairyComp for cattle breeds:

- <font color="#67854E">**H**</font> for Holstein
- <font color="#67854E">**J**</font> for Jersey
- <font color="#67854E">**G**</font> for Guernsey
- <font color="#67854E">**B**</font> for Brown Swiss
- <font color="#67854E">**A**</font> for Ayrshire
- <font color="#67854E">**M**</font> for Milking Shortrun
:::
::::

:::ExpandableHeading
## Change the CBRD for an individual animal

To change the CBRD item for existing animals, enter CBRD in the command line, then enter the desired animal's ID.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/mtX0cTgGICcPnw51lOi7E_cbrdchange.png" size="32" width="1197" height="496" position="flex-start" darkWidth="1197" darkHeight="496" showCaption="false"}

Then enter the new CBRD breed code.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/Rj3GZDz9tCR0x4pytI5zO_cbrdindiv.png" size="32" width="968" height="347" position="flex-start" darkWidth="968" darkHeight="347" showCaption="false"}

The system automatically prompts you for the next ID. If you want to change the CBRD for another animal, enter its ID code. If not, press the ESC key.
:::

:::ExpandableHeading
## Prompt for CBRD for New Calves

You can set DairyComp to automatically prompt you to enter the CBRD for new calves when entering a FRESH event:

1. Enter ALTER in the command line to open the ALTER options window. Select **Fresh event items**, and then select **Items prompted for each calf**.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/MdIGrFa5qEi7EJ3cJO0wf_alterfresh2.png" size="32" width="646" height="360" darkWidth="646" darkHeight="360" position="flex-start" showCaption="false"}
2. The Fresh table opens showing all of the items currently configured for prompting when a FRESH event is entered. To add the CBRD item, click the **Add** button.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/qo-NV0zeZmp5OpoAF4TSj_freshtable.png" size="32" width="1126" height="410" position="flex-start" darkWidth="1126" darkHeight="410" showCaption="false"}
3. From the list of items, select CBRD from the list and then click **OK**.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/AijTJ2rMOUP64a4JU2kmN_cbrditem.png" size="32" width="715" height="426" position="flex-start" darkWidth="715" darkHeight="426" showCaption="false"}
4. The CBRD item now displays on the Fresh table. Click **OK** to save the new configuration.
:::