Angus Association Develops Centralized Ultrasound Processing for Gathering Carcass Information

The American Angus Association, headquartered in St. Joseph, Mo., is on the leading edge of developing new ways to use ultrasound measurements in their carcass expected progeny differences (EPDs). A two-year research program, part of the Association's long-range goals, is currently part of a project with Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

The American Angus Association Centralized Ultrasound Processing (AAACUP) is a program that will allow Angus producers to obtain and utilize carcass EPDs from live animals. The ultrasound images will be scanned by specially trained participating technicians, and interpreted by a staff of highly trained technicians in the central laboratory. This system offers producers an alternative method of obtaining carcass EPDs for live yearling cattle and their parents without going through the conventional harvest process.

The AAACUP lab at Iowa State began accepting ultrasound images in January 1998. In the lab, a lab manager and a select group of trained interpreting technicians evaluate the images for quality assurance, and interpret them for 12th/13th rib fat thickness, ribeye area, rump fat thickness and percent of intramuscular fat.

"As we prepare to enter the 21st century, we must be prepared to embrace change if change is needed," says John Crouch, director of performance programs with the American Angus Association. "The inclusion of ultrasound technology in evaluated live animals for carcass merit is a change that is greatly needed. Not only will it enhance current technology, it will allow our industry to more quickly identify seedstock with the genetic ability to improve carcass characteristics."

Since January 1998, images from more than 7,000 Angus yearling bulls, replacement heifers and feedlot cattle have been processed by AAACUP. Once the images are interpreted, the data is merged with barn-sheet information from the Association and electronically submitted to the Association. The Association adjusts the data to age constants, and contemporary group ratios are calculated. The information is finally submitted back to the breeder. This process normally happens within seven days from the time the animals are scanned.

"Our goal is to provide ultrasound data collected on yearling seedstock that will allow for the calculation and utilization of EPDs for carcass traits from these ultrasound measurements," says Craig Hays, AAACUP laboratory director at Iowa State.

Producers will be able to obtain a separate set of EPDs from the ultrasound for ribeye area, rib fat thickness, rump fat thickness and percent marbling in the fall of 1999. The EPDs will be calculated only on sires whose progeny are scanned in 1999; however, the 1998 data will be used to strengthen contemporary groups and improve accuracy.

In an effort to maintain uniformity, only images that are scanned by trained technicians are accepted by AAACUP. In September, a training workshop was conducted at Iowa State to train and qualify technicians. According to Crouch, 39 people participated in the training. Once they are accepted into the program, they sign a contract with the Association. The technicians are requalified on an annual basis.

A list of participating technicians is available by contacting Angus Herd Improvement Records Department at the Association or Craig Hays at Iowa State's centralized processing lab. There is currently no cost to the producer, other than the ultrasound technician's fees. For more information on AAACUP, contact Crouch at the American Angus Association at (816) 383-5100 or access the Association's website at www.angus.org.