Ultrasound
Scanning Procedure
CUP
Schedule for Submitting Ultrasound Data
Herd
Inventory and Application for Registration worksheet submitted
to Canadian Angus Association
↓
205 day
worksheet generated and sent to member
↓
Completed
205 day worksheet submitted to Canadian Angus Association for
genetic evaluations
↓
·
Member receives a
weaning report
·
Member receives
ultrasound barn worksheets
·
Member receives
365 day weight worksheet
Determine age at scanning:
Bulls: 320 – 440 days
Heifers: 320 – 460 days
↓
Schedule a
scan date with ultrasound technician
↓
Prepare for
ultrasound scan: provide a dry area with electricity and a
squeeze chute to weigh and to clip cattle. Determine management/contemporary
groups.
↓
Ultrasound
technician collects images
↓
Images, barn
worksheets, payment sent to the lab
↓
Lab reports
the interpreted data to Canadian Angus Association
↓
Canadian
Angus Association returns ultrasound report to member
↓
Ultrasound
data used in bi-annual genetic evaluations
Ultrasound
Scan Procedure
-
Ultrasound worksheets (barn worksheets) are mailed with the
365 day worksheets, or are available on our website for
online users. Animals not listed on the barn worksheets may
be filled in by hand using the tattoo of the scanned calf.
(Let your technician know if the animal was missing from the
barn worksheet). Barn worksheets are to be given to the
technician on the day of scanning.
-
Schedule an appointment with an
approved certified technician
at least one month in advance.
-
205 day
weights must be sent to the Canadian Angus Association office prior to ultrasound
scanning.
-
Weigh
all cattle the same day as the ultrasound scan. The scan
weight should be collected when the animal is empty.
-
The fee
for scanning is set by the technician. It is recommended
that smaller herds in close proximity coordinate their
scanning times to reduce per head costs.
-
After the
herd is scanned, the ultrasound images, the technicians COR
Form and the barn worksheet are sent to a certified lab,
either
-
Images
are interpreted by certified lab technicians at the
ultrasound processing lab. Data is interpreted by one
technician and then cross-checked by another, ensuring a
high level of accuracy. If two lab technicians agree that an
image does not meet image quality standards then that image
is rejected, which may mean the animal does not receive data
for that particular trait. Image quality often depends on
optimum scanning conditions, outlined in the table below.
-
Interpreted data is then sent electronically to the Canadian
Angus Association office. Staff will contact the breeder if
further information is needed (for example, an incorrect
tattoo or a missing 205 day weight). We create an ultrasound
report, with ultrasound measurements adjusted to a common
365 days of age for bulls and 390 days for heifers. Lean
meat yield is calculated and the cattle are ranked within
their contemporary groups.
-
The
ultrasound report is posted on the download area of the
website for authorized users or mailed to the breeder.
-
EPDs
are calculated twice a year during the genetic evaluation.
If both parents of the scanned animal have an ultrasound EPD,
then the calf can immediately receive an ultrasound pedigree
estimate.
Breeder
responsibilities: Producers must provide the technician with
adequate conditions for scanning in order to prevent rejected
images. Cattle must be dry in the region of scanning and out of
direct or bright sunlight to allow for the images to be seen
clearly on the monitor. Supplemental heat must be provided in
cold weather for the equipment and oil. A squeeze chute with
side panel doors to allow access to the region of scanning is
needed. Also, a safe electrical supply with a grounded 110-volt
outlet is required.
Responsibilities
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