Angus Association Develops Centralized Ultrasound Processing For Carcass Information ST. JOSEPH, Mo. The American Angus Association, headquartered here, is on the leading edge of developing new ways to use ultrasound mea surements in their carcass expected progeny differences (EPDs). A two-year research pro gram, part of the Association’s long-range goals, is part of a pro ject with Idwa State University, t Ames, lowa The American Angus Associa Nine More Pa. Counties Eligible For Disaster Aid HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Gov. Tom Ridge announced that farmers in nine additional counties will be eligi ble to receive disaster aid for damage to their farms because of severe storms and excessive rain in late May and early June. Family farmers in Bradford, Erie, McKean, Pike, Potter, Susquehanna, Tioga, Warren, and Wayne counties are eligible because they are contiguous to New York counties that have been named as primary disaster areas. Farmers in these counties join those in 27 other Pennsylvania counties declared eligible at the request of Gov. Ridge because of severe storms, tornados, and flooding. The request was made as part of the Presidential declaration for relief, June 3. Eligible family farmers can apply for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. “It’s been a difficult growing season for farmers affected by severe weather, and this official declaration will offer some relief,” Ridge said. TIMMERMAN MFG. CORP. WELL BALANCED, RUGGEDLY BUILT FOR 380 SERIES A Full Line Of Exhaust Fans f . I ; * ; 'i' '**, H; e MjlfejaJl^^Bfci J .-..u,->.,. , - * . -i RT and FRT Series Trailers Aval We Also Build Other Models, Sizes, tion Centralized Ultrasound Processing (AAACUP) is a pro gram that will allow. Angus producers to obtain and utilize carcass EPDs from live animals. The ultrasound images will be scanned by specially trained participating technicians, and interpreted by one staff of high ly trained technicians in the central laboratory. This system offers producers an alternative method of obtaining carcass Eligible counties in Pennsylvania announced previ ously this year were Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Pike, Somerset, Susquehanna, and Wyoming. The contiguous counties also named to receive assistance were Armstrong, Bedford, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Fayette, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Washington, Wayne, and Westmoreland. Since Erie, McKean, and Warren counties were named as contiguous counties on July 7 under the original presidential disaster declaration for the same disaster, the termination date for accepting Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loan applications for physical and production losses will remain March 8, 1999. For counties not previously named for the same disaster, the termination date for accepting FSA emergency loan applica tions for physical and produc tion losses will be March 22, 1999. The current interest rate is 3.75 percent. ' Including Efficient Belt Drive Units With Housing & Shutter 24”, 30", 36”, and 48” ZIMMERMAN CUSTOM 125 King Court/ Hollander Rd. New Holland, PA 17557 (717) 354-9611 lANY YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE SERVICE liable In 5000# thru 12,000# GVW and Capacities. Call For Information EPDs for live yearling cattle and their parents without going through the conventional har vest process. The AAACUP lab at lowa State began accepting ultra sound images in January 1998. In the lab, a lab manager and a select group of trained interpret ing technicians evaluate the images for quality assurance, and interpret them for 12th/13th rib fat thickness, rib eye area, rump fat thickness and percent intramuscular fat. “As we prepare to enter the 21st century, we must be pre pared to embrace change if change is needed,” said John Crouch, director of performance programs with the American Angus Association. “The inclu sion of ultrasound technology in evaluating live animals for car cass merit is a change that is greatly needed. Not only will it enhance current technology, it will allow our industry to more quickly identify seedstock with the genetic ability to improve carcass characteristics.” Since January, images from more than 7,000 Angus yearling bulls, replacement heifers, and feedlot cattle have been processed by AAACUP. Once the images are interpreted, the data is merged with barn-sheet infor mation from the Association and electronically submitted to the Association. The Association adjusts the data to age contes tants, and contemporary group ratios are calculated. The infor mation is finally submitted back to the breeder. The process nor mally happens within seven days from the time the animals are scanned. “Our goal is to provide ultra sound data collected on yearling seedstock that will allow for the calculation and utilization of EPDs for carcass traits from these ultrasound measure ments,” said Craig Hays, AAACUP laboratory director at lowa State. Producers will be able to obtain a separate set of EPDs from the ultrasound for ribeye area, rib fat thickness, rump fat thickness and percent marbling in the fall of 1999. The EPDs will be calculated only on sires whose progeny are scanned in Badger Limited Edition Turbo-4 M TMR Mixers Prices Slashed!!! 2 Great Finance Options!!! V' ~70 W' *7O 1. 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In September, a training workshop was conducted at lowa State to train and qualify technicians According to Crouch, 39 people participated in the training Once they are accepted into the program, they sign a contract with the Association. The tech nicians are requalified on an annual basis. A list of participating techni cians is available by contacting Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR) Department at the Association or Craig Hays at lowa State’s centralized process ing lab. There is no cost to the producer, other than the ultra sound technician’s fees. For more information on AAACUP, contact Crouch at the American Angus Association at (816) 383-5100, or access the Association’s website at www.angus.org. MILLER it. Nazianz SINCE 1899
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