Utilizing Ultrasound Technology to Improve Livestock Marketing Decisions

Abstract

This study estimates the value of using ultrasound technology to improve cattle marketing decisions by optimally choosing a particular marketing method. For the particular group of cattle analyzed, results indicate that using ultrasound information to selectively market cattle could have increased revenue by $25.53/head, $4.98/head, or $32.90/head, compared with simply marketing all animals on a live weight, dressed weight, or grid basis, respectively. Even if producers incorporate such information as placement weight, days on feed, and breed into their expectations about fina carcass characteristics, our results indicate that ultrasound measures could improve average revenue by $4.16/head.

Real-time ultrasound (RTU) imaging methods for quality control of meats

“…(1996) showed that ultrasound measures, taken on cattle prior to feedlot feeding, combined with performance data collected during the finishing phase, could effectively predict LMA, SFD and IMF percentage at any point during the finishing phase. The ability to predict the optimum slaughter date of a particular animal is an attractive use of ultrasound technology (Lusk et al ., 2003). The RTU can be used to develop models to predict the number of days necessary to reach a target carcass composition under a defined feeding regime (Hassen et al ., 1999a), or to develop a feeding regime that maximizes the production of carcasses with a higher-yield or higher-quality grade (Basarab et al ., 1999).…”

“…Ultrasound provides information about the carcass of each animal individually, and if the data are collected when animals start on feed, it can also provide information that can be used to sort animals into adequate feeding regimes (Lusk et al ., 2003). Therefore, RTU contributes to reducing the problem of overfeeding, improves the efficiency of the production system and increases the income of the meat producers (Lusk et al ., 2003;Pyatt et al ., 2005).…”

“…Therefore, RTU contributes to reducing the problem of overfeeding, improves the efficiency of the production system and increases the income of the meat producers (Lusk et al ., 2003;Pyatt et al ., 2005). For example, Basarab et al .…”

“…Thus, RTU will enhance the profitability of meat producers, as it will allow them to raise meat animals that directly correspond to the desired attributes of consumers (Rimal et al ., 2006). The ultrasound data collected from live animals can be used to predict carcass yield and quality grades (Lusk et al ., 2003), and to enhance the meat marketing decisions by optimally targeting carcasses to specific market needs. Lusk et al .…”

“…All these factors contribute to reducing the accuracy of the RTU technique (Houghton and Turlington, 1992). However, in recent years, important advances have been made in ultrasound technology, which allow for increasing accuracy and reliability in measuring the SFD and LMA (Lusk et al ., 2003). Moreover, efforts have been made to improve image acquisition protocols by certified independent technicians (Stouffer, 2004).…”