Introduction to Beef Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound

This program offers extensive training in ultrasound fundamentals for bovine reproduction, covering key topics such as anatomy, image interpretation, and equipment handling. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to refine their gynecological examination skills on live cattle, focusing on identifying pregnancies, abnormalities, and uterine health. The course includes sessions on using extension arms for late-stage pregnancy assessments.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will master ultrasound principles and applications in bovine reproduction, including machine operation and image interpretation techniques. Practical skills development emphasizes accurate reproductive examinations, with a focus on identifying uterine structures, pregnancies, and anomalies. Participants will gain proficiency in conducting herd pregnancy checks and diagnosing reproductive conditions in beef cattle.

Duration: The course comprises 5 hours of classroom theory and 7 hours of practical training with live cattle, ensuring participants develop the competence to perform reproductive examinations effectively in beef cows.

Beef Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound Course Agenda

2-Day Training | 9 AM – 4 PM

This course offers practical and theoretical training in bovine reproductive ultrasound, focusing on identifying pregnancies, fetal aging, anomalies, and fetal demise. The agenda includes 5 hours of classroom instruction and 7 hours of hands-on practice with live cattle.

Day One

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (1.5 hrs.) – Theory
Basics of ultrasonography and ultrasound equipment
Choosing the right transducer and understanding machine functions
Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system as seen in ultrasound
Identifying open uterus, uterine horns, and infections in ultrasound images

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (2 hrs.) – Practical
Hands-on practice with live heifers/cows
Gynecological examinations focusing on open uteruses

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (1 hr.) – Theory
Identifying pregnancies at different stages and determining gestational age
Review of images and videos

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (2 hrs.) – Practical
Hands-on practice with live cows
Gynecological examinations focusing on pregnancies at various stages

Day Two

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (1.5 hrs.) – Theory
Using an extension arm for late-stage pregnancies
Identifying cotyledons and interpreting images from extension arm scans

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (2 hrs.) – Practical
Hands-on practice with live cows
Using extension arms to scan for pregnancy and cotyledons

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (1 hr.) – Theory
Identifying twins and common fetal anomalies (mummified fetuses, anasarca, hydrocephalus, schistosomus)
Review of images and videos

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (2 hrs.) – Practical
Hands-on practice with live cows
Review of course content
Q&A session, quiz, and graduation picture