A growing number of breeders are taking the step to invest in their own ultrasound machines. While lay scanning is not legal in the UK with horses, rectal scans can be performed on cattle following attendance on a DEFRA-approved cattle scan training course.
Choice of scanner for this task depends on the experience and goals of the operator. Those looking for a quick and simple yes/no to pregnancy will prefer the wider angle view of a mechanical sector scanner, which often come at a much reduced price. Operators looking for greater detail in order to perform foetal sexing, for example, will prefer the high image quality of an electronic scanner, such as the Draminski iScan.
In contrast to larger farm animals, sheep scanning has long been the domain of the non-veterinarian. For pregnancy diagnosis, this is almost exclusively performed with mechanical sector technology, due to the speed at which the operator needs to work through the flock.
For those performing meat grading scans, however, crystal clear image quality is very important for measuring fat depth and muscle area. Bromley-based company Vet Image Solutions has worked with Signet Breeding Services (part of DEFRA) in order to develop the ideal ultrasound machine for meat grading work in sheep and cattle, with the longer-term goal of genetic improvement of UK livestock.
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