Ultrasound costs.

[KMacGinley]

2 Questions:

1. How much does it cost to get it done?

2, Where do you go for the training?

 

[VanC]

2 Questions:

1. How much does it cost to get it done?

2, Where do you go for the training?

1. Read somewhere that one company charges $10 per animal with $150 minimum charge. But I'm sure that could vary from company to company, area to area, etc.

2. I have no idea, but maybe someone else will. Or maybe do a google search for "beef cattle ultrasound" (or something to that effect) and see what pops up.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Our Vets have charged $25 to $35 per animal for ultrasound. We bring animal to Vet's.

Think the ultrasound equipment would be lot more expensive than the training to do the job.

 

[MikeC]

2 Questions:

1. How much does it cost to get it done?

2, Where do you go for the training?

The more a tech can do in one setup without moving his equipment the less he will usually charge. If I have 100 or less I pay $10.... if I can time it with some neighbors we can get it down to $7.50. The lab costs and breed association report are included.

It's a long process to become certified for the breed associations. Usually takes over a year with a big investment in equipment for the field and computer/software for the lab.

Training is done at several university's (30 days, I believe) with field training and supervision done by an accredited tech.

 

[plbcattle]

I pay $15 per head

 

[C HOLLAND]

OK, here is my silly question for the week.

what do you use the ultrasound for, I guess the REA is one thing, but what else. ???? preg check

 

[born2run]

Ultrasound equipment runs between $6,500-$15,000. I've only seen them used for preg checking, both horses and cattle. Granted the unit that was used on my mare was a lot different then the one the vet preg checks with at work.

 

[purecountry]

It's also used to estimate meat yield of the carcass, backfat, among other things. Great selection tool. Knowing which animals carry a large ribeye, and have a higher lean meat yield, is what it's all about. More beef.

 

[KMacGinley]

They also scan for marbling. Thanks for the responses so far, keep em coming if you can tell me anything else about it. :D

 

[sidney411]

I've had some heifers ultrasounded for preg check. I was really surprized that their dates were not closer to the actual birth dates then rectal paplation has been. Anyway, it cost me $10 per animal, no minimum, but I did have to set up the appointment a couple weeks in advance.

 

[lakading]

I've had some heifers ultrasounded for preg check. I was really surprized that their dates were not closer to the actual birth dates then rectal paplation has been. Anyway, it cost me $10 per animal, no minimum, but I did have to set up the appointment a couple weeks in advance.

Results depend a lot on the skill of the ultrasound technician.

Around here a preg check scan is $3 - $4 per head depending on # of head scanned at once.

A carcass ultrasound is $10/head for the scan plus a $5/head processing fee.

 

[D.R. Cattle]

I've had some heifers ultrasounded for preg check. I was really surprized that their dates were not closer to the actual birth dates then rectal paplation has been. Anyway, it cost me $10 per animal, no minimum, but I did have to set up the appointment a couple weeks in advance.

Results depend a lot on the skill of the ultrasound technician.

Around here a preg check scan is $3 - $4 per head depending on # of head scanned at once.

A carcass ultrasound is $10/head for the scan plus a $5/head processing fee.

This what it goes for down here. We have our own machine and got trained by a guru. Unfortunately I was handed the data entry job while the trainer was here, and only got bits and pieces. We did manage to blow through 322 head today, and half of that time was slow for training. Can't be too difficult because the guys doing it were not exactly rocket scientists. It was the easiest when the cattle were bred and at least 28 days in. When they were open it took much longer to verify, but bred was quick. If it's long bred, the calf is way down low and not as easy without some additional arming and palpation. The trainess were even determining sex on their 2nd day of training on 55 day breds. I'll be glad to gather the contact info of our trainer if you'd like but I understand he was pretty pricey. He was a PHD in animal science from Texas.

 

[KMacGinley]

I've had some heifers ultrasounded for preg check. I was really surprized that their dates were not closer to the actual birth dates then rectal paplation has been. Anyway, it cost me $10 per animal, no minimum, but I did have to set up the appointment a couple weeks in advance.

Results depend a lot on the skill of the ultrasound technician.

Around here a preg check scan is $3 - $4 per head depending on # of head scanned at once.

A carcass ultrasound is $10/head for the scan plus a $5/head processing fee.[/quo

This what it goes for down here. We have our own machine and got trained by a guru. Unfortunately I was handed the data entry job while the trainer was here, and only got bits and pieces. We did manage to blow through 322 head today, and half of that time was slow for training. Can't be too difficult because the guys doing it were not exactly rocket scientists. It was the easiest when the cattle were bred and at least 28 days in. When they were open it took much longer to verify, but bred was quick. If it's long bred, the calf is way down low and not as easy without some additional arming and palpation. The trainess were even determining sex on their 2nd day of training on 55 day breds. I'll be glad to gather the contact info of our trainer if you'd like but I understand he was pretty pricey. He was a PHD in animal science from Texas.

Thanks, how much did your machine cost? I would like the info on the trainer if it is not too much trouble. :D

 

[D.R. Cattle]

I don't know how much our machine was, but we rented a used one to preg 2 different locations at once and I was told It was $8000for the unit, and $5000 for the probe if we didn't return it properly. If I broke it I'd have a little picture of it on my paycheck in the deductions field for years to come.