Live animal ultrasound technology services are now available in the Maritimes to beef producers! The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers were able to obtain this imaging technology, as well as to get a technician certified, and are proud to offer the first permanent technician this side of Quebec!
By having ultrasound services readily available to producers, the hope is that overall carcass traits and expected progeny differences (EPD’s) within the region will be increased. This service will aid in future breeding practices, as results will illustrate the appropriateness of breeding stock, indicating which heritable traits, such as those within feed efficiency and carcass measures, should be improved for optimal production.
Check out this article in Farm Focus by Amy Higgins – “Live Beef Carcass Ultrasounds Now on Offer in The Maritimes”
Ultrasound fees are broken down into four parts:
- Call fee (if multiple farms are block booked, this ranges from $50-$150; for individual bookings, you will be contacted with the fee). This covers set-up, report preparation, meals and accommodations.
- Chute side scanning fee ($60/hour). This covers the ultrasound of the animals.
- Per animal fee ($22/animal). This covers the CUP/association submission and report fees.
- Travel expenses ($0.4585/km)
Breed Scan Age Requirements
For booking purposes, please ensure your cattle to be scanned are within the proper age requirements by breed in the above PDF.
Meet Our Ultrasound Technician – Laura Parsons
Laura currently runs Windy Knoll Farm – a family run operation consisting of 160 red, black and fullblood Simmentals and a select few Angus in Kingston, Nova Scotia. Laura has been breeding Simmentals since 1998 and has been fortunate enough to sell select bulls throughout Canada and Mexico. Having spent time in Australia and Ireland, Laura has seen first hand how well Simmental cattle perform under different conditions and feels the diversity within the Simmental breed sets them apart from the rest. When Laura isn’t running the day to day operation at the farm or traveling the Maritimes scanning, she enjoys competing at local and national shows throughout Canada.
Below, Laura Parsons is performing ultrasound imaging on an Angus heifer.
