Scanning Information

CUP is presently working with sixteen breed associations. The research has indicated that breeders can scan yearling bulls and heifers for carcass traits and have this information included for National Cattle Evaluation ultrasound EPDs. Ultrasound EPDs are equivalent to carcass EPDs and may someday completely replace carcass EPDs. CUP certified ultrasound technicians collect the images and then send them to CUP where the images are interpreted for rump and 12-13th rib fat thickness, ribeye area and percent intramuscular fat (marbling). The measurements are sent to the appropriate breed association for database storage and for preparation of the performance records to be sent back to the breeder.

Procedures for Breeder Participation

• Breeders should either receive barnsheets standardly or must request barnsheets from their respective breed association. If the breeders association does not print barnsheets then a CUP barnsheet must be submitted. This would be the case for unregistered cattle. Barnsheets must be completely filled out by the breeder and returned to the CUP lab with the ultrasound images.
• Select a CUP certified technician to do the scanning. A list of certified technicians can be acquired from the National CUP Lab or any participating breed association. The National CUP Lab will only process images submitted by certified technicians.
• Breeders need to plan ahead to insure that scanning is done early enough if the information is to be included in a sale catalog. Processing time will require an average seven (7) working days. In some instances, it could take more than seven days if errors are found.
• It is suggested that all animals be scanned in a squeeze chute and it is required that all animals have hair clipped to 1/2 inch or less in scanning area to ensure image quality and ease of scanning.

Processing Fees and Scanning Costs

• CUP processing fees are assessed on a per animal basis at $4.25 per head. A $0.25 per head discount is applied to scan sessions paid for with cash or check and an additional $0.20 per head discount is applied to scan sessions that arrive with the barn sheet information already completely filled out via UICS. Payment is required from the breeder or technician at the same time the images are sent to the CUP laboratory for processing. Images will not be processed if the payment is not received with the images.
• Scanning fees are set individually by ultrasound technicians. The fee structure is established by each individual technician and can vary depending on the number of head to be scanned and other circumstances. The technician will bill the breeder directly for the scanning fee.

What the Breeder Receives

• After interpretation, the measurements are forwarded to the appropriate breed association for processing. Ultrasound record processing follows the same format used for weight traits within performance programs. Breeders receive the ultrasound measurements (adjustments and contemporary group ratios) as a part of the program.
• Ultrasound measures are adjusted to 365 days for yearling bulls. The current age end point adjustments for developing heifers is 390 days (approx. 13 mos. of age). The end point adjustments for feedlot steers and heifers is 420 days of age.
• Ultrasound measures to be made on each animal include the following:
  ¤ Rump fat thickness
  ¤ 12-13th rib fat thickness
  ¤ Ribeye area
  ¤ Percentage intramuscular fat (marbling)

Guidelines

Yearling bulls

	Scans. Scan yearling bulls when they are in the age range shown in the table on page 4. All bulls within a contemporary group are to be scanned on the same day or over no more than three consecutive days. Many breeders will scan their yearling bulls at the same time other yearling traits are being measured.
	Weights. Record individual bull weights within seven (?7) days of when the bulls are scanned. Weights are to be taken in the morning prior to any feeding of the bulls. Bulls should not have access to overnight feed prior to weight collection. Although preferred, but not required, is to hold the bulls off both feed and water overnight. This weight is to be used in the prediction of empty-body weight so gut fill must be minimized. The weights are to be given to the ultrasound technician for submission to Walter & Associates, LLC along with the ultrasound images.
	Gain. The best measure of a bull's propensity for marbling and muscle expression will be when the bull is being fed to gain at least 3 pounds per day. In addition, this propensity will best be expressed in the bull at the end or near the end of a post-weaning gain test.
	Contemporary Group. Contemporaries must be from the same weaning contemporary group.
	Central Test Scans. Yearling bulls that are sent to a central test can be included in the ultrasound EPD program. A breeder's bulls will be evaluated as a contemporary group and consistent with the weaning contemporary group of the same bulls. The restrictions on the contemporary group are those listed in the previous paragraph. Central test barnsheets must be requested by the central test manager.

Developing Heifers

	Scans. Scan developing heifers when they are in the age range shown in the table on page 4. All heifers within a contemporary group are to be scanned on the same day or over no more than three consecutive days. Many breeders will scan their yearling heifers at the same time other pre-breeding examinations are being measured. As with the yearling bulls, it is important that the heifers be scanned when they have sufficient condition for measuring genetic differences. Thin heifers (like thin bulls) are not suitable for determining external fat differences and marbling differences. It is very likely that a lot of heifers will actually lose condition after breeding time, especially if grazing conditions are not optimal. At this time, breeders are best advised to collect the images on heifers prior to breeding. There is no reason to expect that processing heifers through a squeeze chute to collect the images will have an adverse impact on breeding or reproductive performance.
	Weights. Record individual heifer weights within seven (?7) days of when the heifers are scanned. Weights are to be taken in the morning prior to any feeding of the heifers. Heifers should not have access to overnight feed prior to weight collection. Although preferred, but not required, is to hold the heifers off both feed and water overnight. This weight is to be used in the prediction of empty-body weight, and so gut fill must be minimized. The weights are to be given to the ultrasound technician for submission to Walter & Associates, LLC along with the ultrasound images.
	Contemporary Group. Contemporaries must be from the same weaning contemporary group.

Feedlot Steers and Heifers

	Identification. Each feedlot animal must be individually identified and produced by a registered Angus sire. The dam does not have to be a registered cow. Birth dates are required for each feedlot animal.
	Scans. Scan feedlot animals when the contemporary group averages .3 - .4 inches of external fat or when the animals or just prior to slaughter if the animals will not be taken to a .3 inches of fat end point. All animals within the contemporary group are to be scanned on the same day or over no more than three consecutive days.
	Weights. Record individual animal weights within seven (?7) days of when the animals are scanned. Weights are to be taken in the morning prior to any feeding of the animals. The animals should not have access to overnight feed prior to weight collection. Although preferred, but not required, is to hold the animals off both feed and water overnight. This weight is to be used in the prediction of empty-body weight, and so gut fill must be minimized. The weights are to be given to the ultrasound technician for submission to the Walter & Associates, LLC along with the ultrasound images.
	Contemporary Group. Contemporaries must be from the same weaning contemporary group.

» Acceptable Scanning Ages