About

CUP OBJECTIVES

To provide the seedstock industry with timely, accurate and unbiased measurements for fat thickness, ribeye area and % IMF (marbling)
To assist breed associations in the accurate assembly of data required to generate adjustment factors and EPDs for carcass merit from ultrasound measures
To provide education, training and operational assistance for ultrasound technicians working with breeders

Centralized processing requires standard protocols for image collection, consistency and accuracy in interpretation, cross checks on problem images and unbiased reporting necessary for body composition EPD calculations.
Centralized processing requires complete and accurate identification and contemporary grouping records at the time of collection and processing so that the data can go immediately into body composition EPD programs.

The breeder notifies the breed association of intentions to scan a contemporary group of animals.
The breed association sends the breeder a barnsheet including information on the contemporary group.
The breeder selects a technician from an approved list.
The technician scans the cattle and submits the images to CUP Lab for processing.
The processing results are forwarded to the breed association by CUP for adding adjustment factors and computing within contemporary group ratios and EPDs.
The breed association or CUP Lab sends the final results to the breeder.
The breed association also includes the data into their database for use in genetic evaluations.
Questions by the breeder after receiving the final results can be directed to the field technician, breed association, or back to CUP.

Actual measures of rump fat thickness, 12-13th rib fat thickness, ribeye area and % Intramuscular Fat (marbling).
Age adjusted measures (from the breed association).
Contemporary group ratios (from the breed association).
All images processed through CUP meet high standards required for calculating body composition EPDs.