Ultrasound Guidelines Council Overview Loren C. Jackson

Ultrasound Overview Ultrasound utilized in cattle research in 1950’s. Ultrasound utilized in cattle research in 1950’s. Live Animal Ultrasound Evaluation for carcass traits surged in the 1980’s. Live Animal Ultrasound Evaluation for carcass traits surged in the 1980’s. Driven by decline in beef’s market share, consumer driven programs, focus on end product and value based marketing systems. Driven by decline in beef’s market share, consumer driven programs, focus on end product and value based marketing systems.

Potential of Real-time Ultrasound Demand for genetic evaluation of carcass traits. Demand for genetic evaluation of carcass traits. Inability to measure carcass traits on breeding animals. Inability to measure carcass traits on breeding animals. Reduce dependency on progeny testing and shorten time interval required for evaluation. Reduce dependency on progeny testing and shorten time interval required for evaluation. Incorporate ultrasound into structured National Cattle Evaluation program. Incorporate ultrasound into structured National Cattle Evaluation program.

Ultrasound Issues (1980’s-1990’s) Hardware Hardware Software Software Scan Procedures Scan Procedures Optimum Scan Age Optimum Scan Age Technician Accuracy Technician Accuracy Data Interpretation Data Interpretation Adjustment Factors Adjustment Factors Certification Certification Ultrasound/Carcass Relationships Ultrasound/Carcass Relationships Validation Validation

BIF Role Topic dominated the Live Animal Evaluation Committee for many years. Topic dominated the Live Animal Evaluation Committee for many years. Assumed the leadership role in addressing the many issues concerned with the science. Assumed the leadership role in addressing the many issues concerned with the science. Initiated development of technology validation and standardization of technician certification. Initiated development of technology validation and standardization of technician certification. Influential in enhancing the science for producer application. Influential in enhancing the science for producer application.

Entities Involved in Advancing Ultrasound Technology BIF BIF University Research University Research Industry Companies Industry Companies AUP – Animal Ultrasound Practitioners Assn. AUP – Animal Ultrasound Practitioners Assn. APTC – Animal Proficiency Testing and Certification (UGC) APTC – Animal Proficiency Testing and Certification (UGC)

Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC) Purpose To develop and maintain a governance structure and protocol for annual proficiency testing and certification for technicians involved in ultrasound scanning of beef cattle for composition traits and interpreting images used in national cattle evaluation programs. To develop and maintain a governance structure and protocol for annual proficiency testing and certification for technicians involved in ultrasound scanning of beef cattle for composition traits and interpreting images used in national cattle evaluation programs.

UGC Protocol The U.S. Beef Breeds Council determines the structure of the UGC. The U.S. Beef Breeds Council determines the structure of the UGC. UGC is responsible for developing, maintaining and governing proficiency testing protocol and standards for beef cattle ultrasound certification. UGC is responsible for developing, maintaining and governing proficiency testing protocol and standards for beef cattle ultrasound certification.

UGC Structure The council is composed of…… The council is composed of…… 1.Four beef breed organization representatives appointed by the U.S. Beef Breeds Council. 2.Three university persons involved directly in ultrasound research and national cattle evaluation programs using ultrasound data. 3.One active field ultrasound technician. 4.Up to three representatives from centralized labs meeting the UGC definition for a centralized lab.

Centralized Processing Facility An ultrasound interpretation organization that works with two or more field technicians, serves two or more beef breed associations, employs two or more laboratory interpretation technicians, and process 4,000 or more images annually. An ultrasound interpretation organization that works with two or more field technicians, serves two or more beef breed associations, employs two or more laboratory interpretation technicians, and process 4,000 or more images annually.

UGC Responsibilities Establish dates for periodic technician proficiency certification programs. Establish dates for periodic technician proficiency certification programs. Select host(s) to provide the facilities and other resources necessary to conduct the ultrasound technician certification program. Select host(s) to provide the facilities and other resources necessary to conduct the ultrasound technician certification program. Develop and maintain all UGC protocol and proficiency standards. Develop and maintain all UGC protocol and proficiency standards. Assemble the necessary personnel to oversee the certification process and analyze the proficiency testing and certification results. Assemble the necessary personnel to oversee the certification process and analyze the proficiency testing and certification results.

UGC Responsibilities Cont. Provide overall financial management of funds collected and utilized for conducting certification process. Provide overall financial management of funds collected and utilized for conducting certification process. Maintain an official web site for the UGC that includes schedules and lists of certified field and laboratory technicians. Maintain an official web site for the UGC that includes schedules and lists of certified field and laboratory technicians. Develop and maintain standards for testing and certifying new or enhanced real-time ultrasound scanning hardware and interpretative software. Develop and maintain standards for testing and certifying new or enhanced real-time ultrasound scanning hardware and interpretative software. Develop and maintain standard guidelines for centralized data reporting formats, data storage and maintenance Develop and maintain standard guidelines for centralized data reporting formats, data storage and maintenance

UGC Operations Each participating group that benefits from the activities of UGC pays an annual fee. Each participating group that benefits from the activities of UGC pays an annual fee. –Breed Associations –Centralized Processing Facilities –Field Technicians –Laboratory Technicians

UGC Board Donna Watson, Administrative Secretary Donna Watson, Administrative Secretary Robert Williams, Ph.D., Chairman, American-International Charolais Assn. Robert Williams, Ph.D., Chairman, American-International Charolais Assn. Loren Jackson, International Brangus Breeders Assn. Loren Jackson, International Brangus Breeders Assn. Kent Anderson, Ph.D., North American Limousin Foundation Kent Anderson, Ph.D., North American Limousin Foundation Bill Bowman, American Angus Assn. Bill Bowman, American Angus Assn. Becky Hays, UltaInsights Becky Hays, UltaInsights Mark Henry, National Cup Lab Mark Henry, National Cup Lab Rethel King, International Livestock Image Analysis Rethel King, International Livestock Image Analysis Scott Geiner, Ph.D., Virginia Tech University Scott Geiner, Ph.D., Virginia Tech University Dan Moser, Ph.D., Kansas State University Dan Moser, Ph.D., Kansas State University Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Ph.D., Auburn University Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Ph.D., Auburn University Andy Meadows, DVM, Springwood Livestock Management Andy Meadows, DVM, Springwood Livestock Management

Web Site: List of Certified Field Technicians List of Certified Field Technicians List of Certified Lab Technicians List of Certified Lab Technicians List of Centralized Processing Labs List of Centralized Processing Labs UGC Certification Guidelines UGC Certification Guidelines Ultrasound Certification Study Guide Ultrasound Certification Study Guide

Certification Host Two Certifications Per Year – Spring & Fall Host Two Certifications Per Year – Spring & Fall June 8-9 & 13-15, 2006 June 8-9 & 13-15, 2006 National Cup Lab/ISU Ames, IA September & 20-22, 2006 September & 20-22, 2006 University of Georgia Athens, GA

Proficiency Testing Two types are available: 1. Image Collection (field certification) th Rib Cross Sectional Image -% Intramuscular Fat Images - Rump Image 2. Laboratory Interpretation (lab certification) - Image quality assessment as well as performing measurements for ultrasound traits.

Certification Protocol Individuals are Certified as Field and/or Laboratory Technicians. Individuals are Certified as Field and/or Laboratory Technicians. All Technicians Must Pass a Written Exam. All Technicians Must Pass a Written Exam.

Certification Protocol Insure fair and unbiased testing of technicians, equipment, and software used for the collection and interpretation of images. Insure fair and unbiased testing of technicians, equipment, and software used for the collection and interpretation of images. Field Technicians scan approximately 20 animals and then repeat scanning the same animals in random order so that repeatability can be evaluated. Field Technicians scan approximately 20 animals and then repeat scanning the same animals in random order so that repeatability can be evaluated. Two certified reference technicians scan the cattle for statistical comparison. Two certified reference technicians scan the cattle for statistical comparison.

Certification Animals are Harvested Certification Animals are Harvested Carcass Data Collected Carcass Data Collected Rib Samples are Collected for Ether Extract %IMF Chemical Analysis. Rib Samples are Collected for Ether Extract %IMF Chemical Analysis. Ultrasound Technician Data and Carcass Data Compiled for Statistical Analysis. Ultrasound Technician Data and Carcass Data Compiled for Statistical Analysis.

Statistical Data Utilized For Certification % Acceptable Images % Acceptable Images Image Quality Image Quality Standard Error of Prediction Standard Error of Prediction Standard Error of Repeatability Standard Error of Repeatability Bias Bias Correlation Correlation

Ultrasound Certification Standards Percentage of Acceptable Images Required to Pass Certification Percentage of Acceptable Images Required to Pass Certification –95% for rump fat –85% for rib fat, ribeye area and %IMF

Ultrasound Certification Standards Cont. Standard Error Bias of Predictionof Repeatability Rump fat thickness, in.( (.04) 2 (.075 (.04)( (.05 (.00) Fat thickness, in.(.075 (.04) ( (.085 (.00) Ribeye area, sq. in.( 1.1 (.70) ( ( 1.0 (0.0) Intramuscular fat, %( 1.0 (.80)(.75 (.60)( (.7 (0.0) 1 Minimum accuracy standards. 2 Highly skilled accuracy levels.

Summary Highly skilled real-time ultrasound technicians can accurately predict live animals for carcass merit. Highly skilled real-time ultrasound technicians can accurately predict live animals for carcass merit. Real-time ultrasound has proven to be a valuable tool in genetic selection as an indicator of carcass related traits. Real-time ultrasound has proven to be a valuable tool in genetic selection as an indicator of carcass related traits. Ultimately the objective is that the technology will continue to enhance the end product for the consumer. Ultimately the objective is that the technology will continue to enhance the end product for the consumer.