Susan McCalib, P.O. Box 3729, Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-812-2924

Ultrasound by Susan McCalib

Call Now for Cattle Evaluation

503-812-2924

Accurate, Experienced, Reliable

Services Currently Offered:

1.	UGC Certified Beef Carcass Ultrasound Evaluation
2.	NSIP Certified Lamb Ultrasound Evaluation
3.	Carcass Evaluation of Beef, Buffalo, Sheep, Swine
4.	Feedlot Evaluation (Projected Days on Feed, Quality & Yield Grade)
5.	Presentations on Ultrasound or Meat Quality & Yield Grading

Susan became interested in carcass ultrasound of cattle after the McCalib family moved to Cloverdale in 1998. She purchased a Classic ultrasound machine in 1998 and became one of the original group of elite technicians to be certified for CUP (centralized ultrasound processing) by Iowa State University. The American Angus Association sponsored the original two year ultrasound research project, in conjunction with Iowa State University, and it is the basis for the protocols used today by the twenty six breed associations that participate. Susan began providing ultrasound services to progressive beef producers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Montana in 1999. She has been continuously certified since then. Although her focus has been on beef cattle, she also scans buffalo, swine, and sheep. In June 2010, Susan became one of 14 ultrasound technicians nationwide that are now certified to submit lamb ultrasound data to the National Sheep Improvement Program.

Susan takes great care in providing her clients with the services that they pay for. As a result of her experience and accuracy, she has not had a rejected image in many years, nor have any breeders had their data held up due to paperwork issues. For the UGC protocol, data is submitted to the National Cup Lab, also known as Walter and Associates. The original Cup Lab at Iowa State University was transitioned into the private sector as Walter and Associates in 2001. Walter and Associates provides exceptional image processing in a timely and accurate fashion. Although there are now several different labs processing data, Susan has chosen to continue utilizing Walter and Associates as the only Lab processing her images. They provide the technicians and breeders with service and support including upgrading their software and equipment, so that scan sessions can be submitted through the Internet, significantly reducing time required for the breeder to receive their finished data.

How to Get Started: Call (503-812-2924) or e-mail Susan to discuss possible dates. Have your list of cattle to scan available so she can determine the scanning date range. Susan will offer suggestions of dates that are available and discuss cost and logistics with you. If you have a production sale or other date that will impact when you need the data, be sure and discuss this during scheduling. After your date is scheduled, Susan will get your breeder and contact information so it is entered into the database before she arrives.

Power Requirements: Susan will need two 110 volt outlets, on different circuits, if possible. One circuit will service the ultrasound machine and computer. The other circuit will service the oil heater, blower, and clippers. The oil heater and blower do use some amperage and it can cause interference if all are on one circuit. Susan will not operate the ultrasound machine on a generator, as the voltage generated has too much fluctuation.

Facility Requirements: A covered squeeze chute (tarped at a minimum) is necessary for scanning. Sunlight and/or exposure to the elements can cause problems. Lights are necessary if scanning during darkness.

Preparation Requirements: Cattle will need to be clipped to be scanned. 'In an effort to obtain the most accurate ultrasound measurements possible, The CUP LabTM will enforce a policy which states "hair must be clipped to ½ inch in length or less in the area of the measurements." Obviously, if the hair is less than ½ inch, clipping would not be necessary. Evidence has shown that clipping greatly improves image quality and the accuracy of percent intra-muscular fat prediction.' "The Mark of Excellence" Animals should be clipped to within "½" in the areas designated above.

Cattle must be clipped, scraped, blown, and oiled with warmed soybean oil prior to scanning. Susan has found that warmed oil provides improved image quality, which is another way that she strives to provide the breeder with superior data. Susan brings all equipment needed for animal preparation and supplies the oil for scanning. Cattle will need to be weighed either during scanning or before. Weights will be entered into the database chuteside along with the animal tattoo number. The barnsheets will be completed as scanning progresses. When the session is complete, Susan will take the paper barnsheets with her to keep with the scan session data. Payment will need to be made upon completion of the scan session.

Data Interpretation: After Susan leaves the ranch, she will complete her documentation, verify tattoo and weight information and prepare the data for submission to Walter and Associates through the Internet. Turn around at the Lab is phenomenal. Data is processed and on it's way to the breed association within 24 to 48 hours. For smaller herds, data can be processed the same day it is submitted. Susan keeps track of the data from submission to the Lab until the breeder has received it. She updates the breeder with the status of their data by e-mail or phone and is available to answer any questions the breeder may have regarding the data they receive. Susan does not see the data after she submits it to the Lab.