Guidelines for Ultrasound Fetal Sexing in a Cow/Calf Operation

Abstract

Fetal sexing was first described in 1989. For the next decade only a small number of experienced ultrasonographers actually applied the technique on a commercial basis. In recent years, client pressure h8:s increased the number of veterinarians offering the service, but the demand for the artisan skill continues to grow as new and emerging reproductive technologies become commercialized. However, the learning curve to accurately diagnose sex by ultrasound is steep. To have command of the procedure to the point of becoming 98% accurate takes time away from practice and a lot of bred cows with accurate breeding records to practice on. The purpose of this paper is to review fetal sexing and offer suggestions on how to minimize the learning curve so that practitioners won't be intimidated by it.