Frequently Asked Questions
Who can ultrasound my cattle for carcass data?
Only certified Ultrasound Guidelines Council technicians can scan your cattle for carcass evaluation and EPD's. Technicians are required to attend and pass a four day training and qualification program before allowed to scan cattle. The technician and the ultrasound equipment must be re-certified every two years in order to remain active.
What traits are measured?
There are four measurements taken when we ultrasound cattle for carcass evaluation. They are Rump Fat, Rib Fat, Ribeye Area (REA) and Intramuscular Fat (%IMF) which are heritable and can be passed down to the cattle progeny.
What age should an animal be scanned?
Cattle are scanned as yearlings and must fall within the age requirements as described by the Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC). The normal average range in 320-440 days or about 13 months of age but refer to the All Breed Age Chart. It is recommended to wait later in the age range as possible but your breeding and/or sale dates may dictate when you must have your cattle scanned.
How should I manage animals that are to be scanned?
Bulls should be placed on a high energy ration after weaning and should be gaining well. Heifers should be on a normal heifer development program using a moderate to high energy ration. Both sexes should be in good body condition at time of scanning.
What paperwork do I need prior to scan day?
A barn sheet should be sent to the breeder after the weaning weights have been submitted to the breed association. A list of animals eligible to be scanned should be on the barn sheet which can also be downloaded from the breed association website. The barn sheet MUST accompany the images when they are sent into the lab.
What kind of facilities are needed?
A squeeze chute is very important in order to obtain quality images. A covered facility works best so that the images can be seen clearly on the computer but it is not mandatory. Tarps, tent, or a temporarily cover works well. Electricity is a must as well but a gas generator will work.
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