The American Angus Association (AAA) has begun a two-year research program as a part of their long-range development plan to use ultrasound measurements in their carcass EPD genetic evaluation program. This program is being conducted in cooperation with Iowa State University (ISU). ISU has developed the first centralized processing center for ultrasonic images collected on Angus cattle. Centralized ultrasound processing (CUP) is a means to standardize image collection and interpretation. Technicians will use the same equipment, procedures and guidelines for scanning. Image interpretation will be conducted by a limited number of unbiased technicians. In addition, cross-checks will be conducted between lab technicians. Only qualified ultrasound technicians will collect the images. The images will then be sent to ISU where they will be interpreted for rump and 12-13th rib fat thickness, ribeye area and percent intramuscular fat. The measurements will then be sent to the AAA for database storage and for preparation of the performance records to be sent back to the breeder. Measurements taken from ultrasonic images in 1998 will be used to support development of genetic prediction models for the AAA. Yearling bulls, developing heifers and steers involved in progeny testing programs are eligible to be scanned under this pilot project. The long-range goal is to incorporate ultrasonic measures with carcass data for use in AAA sire evaluation. Pending a successful review of this development in the Fall of 1998, EPDs calculated from ultrasound data could be available in the Fall 1999 Angus Sire Evaluation.

Iowa State University researchers have developed an ultrasound image capturing device called the Black Box to simplify the image capturing process and to minimize the frequent problems encountered with a regular portable computer in the field. The Black Box does not require the use of a monitor, keyboard or mouse. The system includes a ZIPÔ drive and a 3.5 inch diskette drive. Each ZIPÔ disk will hold 100Mb of data or approximately enough space for 400 images. A hand held keypad is connected to the Black Box for entering the animal identification and to indicate the type of image being stored.

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