• Owners: Rethel King (pictured) and Sherry Parks
• Location: Harrison, Ark.
History: After seeing the benefits of ultrasound scans in the cattle industry, the father/daughter partners of Rethel King and Sherry Parks realized they wanted to venture into the profession.
“In 1995, my dad and I saw our first cattle ultrasound. We were excited because it was a new and valuable tool to help us and other breeders evaluate and improve herd quality,” Sherry said. “We began by becoming certified technicians ourselves. Because the technology was not advancing as quickly as we wanted, we decided to push development along by founding our own company, Designer Genes Technologies, Inc. The goals were to make that technology better and more assessable. We searched through many ultrasound image analysts for the best to help develop software. We also partnered with major companies such as Cobb-Vantress and Smithfield Premium Foods, as well as purebred cattle breed associations and breeders to provide image analysis software and data for operation improvement. Our new software became available in 1999 when we also began to build computers and accessories from the ground up for others to purchase and use. We made the decision to build an industry-leading training facility in 2014 as a result of national training growth.”
Products and Services: “One of the advantages of our automated ultrasound technology is not having to wait for data results. Breeding changes can be immediate. We have certified ultrasound technicians who will go to cattle producers and perform ultrasound scanning on their animals. Many national, progressive breeders around the United States use our ultrasound including several in Missouri and Arkansas. We have several UGC Certified technicians nationwide who help ranchers with their ultrasound needs. We also offer a high-quality, portable ultrasound system supported by a linear transducer for cattle, hogs, sheep, goats and chickens. Information supplied pertains to breast meat in chickens, the loin eye area in hogs, sheep and goats as well as cattle data collected at the 12th and 13th rib area where carcasses are traditionally broken to calculate fat thickness, ribeye size and a marbling value. Additionally, ultrasound provides information about the optimum time for processing. Other transducers supply critical reproductive information for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. In addition to speaking and offering field trips at high schools and universities, we also offer training short courses for ranchers and both certified and uncertified technicians in the Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma areas. We also present at local beef seminars with more detailed information on all aspects of the business available on the website.”
