The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers (NSCP) are proud to offer live animal ultrasound technology services for cattle and sheep in the Maritimes. The NSCP obtained the imaging technology equipment and certified two technicians, Jacy McInnis and Ellen Davis, and are proud to offer the first permanent technicians 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.
Ultrasound fees are broken down into four parts:
- Call Fee
For multiple farms that are block booked, the fee ranges from $50-$150.
For individual bookings, you will be contacted with the fee
This fee covers set-up, report preparation, meals, and accommodations. - Chute Side Scanning Fee
The chute side scanning fee is $60/hour, which covers the ultrasound of the animals. - Travel Expenses
$0.4585 per kilometer
Breed Age Requirements
From 73 to 135 Days Old
Same period as the 100d weights
Target lambs greater than 35 kg (on average)
To get the most significant difference in loin and fat depth between lambs. The heavier the lambs are, the more differences there are in loin and fat deposition.
It is recommended to scan lambs close to the slaughter weight when possible.
The entire management group should be scanned to provide good comparisons between lambs.
Check out All You Need To Know About Ultrasound Measurement Services from Genovis for more information!
To schedule a service, please complete the Booking Application Form and email it to office@nscattle.ca.
Meet Our Ultrasound Technicians – Jacy McInnis and Ellen Davis
Jacy McInnis is a certified beef and sheep carcass ultrasound technician who grew up on a beef farm in Nappan, Nova Scotia. Along with being the herdsman at the Maritime Beef Test Station, Jacy lives on a beef and sheep operation and maintains a small purebred Charolais herd.
Ellen Davis is originally from Port Elgin, New Brunswick, where she was raised on a commercial Charolais cow/calf operation. She attended her first year at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in 2015 and worked on local dairy farms part-time during her studies. After graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Major in Animal Science, she was an agriculture feed rep in Colchester, Nova Scotia. For the last couple of years, she has worked for Genex as a semen rep, covering both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In her free time, Ellen has a commercial Simmental cow/calf operation with her partner outside of Truro, Nova Scotia and enjoys raising heritage breed poultry.