ViiSona - Ultrasounds and Education

03/04/2026

Maritime Dairy Producers 🐄

Due to demand, we’ve added ONE more 2-Day Dairy Reproductive Ultrasound Course in Truro, Nova Scotia – April 11/12 (Sat/Sun) — and Early Bird Registration is now open!

✔️ Hands-on training
✔️ Small group format (maximum 6 participants)
✔️ Practical, real-world herd application

If you’re looking to confidently perform reproductive ultrasound exams in your own herd, this is your opportunity.

What You’ll Be Able to Do After This Course
By the end of two days, you will confidently:

• Identify open uterus, uterine health concerns, and infections
• Evaluate ovaries (corpus luteum, cysts, follicular structures)
• Determine and stage pregnancies by gestational age
• Determine fetal viability
• Identify twins
• Recognize fetal anomalies and fetal demise

💡 Planning to purchase an ultrasound machine? Participants can apply 50% of their training tuition as a credit toward equipment.

🎓 Reduced tuition available for veterinary students — email info@viisona.com to learn more.

Spots are Limited Register here: https://viisona.com/

03/02/2026

2 spaces available for our 2-Day Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound Course in Alberta this year.

There are no additional full 2-day courses currently scheduled in Western Canada for 2026 — so if comprehensive ultrasound training has been on your radar, this is your opportunity!

This program goes far beyond basic pregnancy detection. You’ll gain hands-on experience evaluating uterine health, identifying corpus luteum and ovarian structures, staging pregnancies at all gestational ages, detecting twins, assessing fetal viability, and recognizing fetal demise — building real diagnostic confidence you can apply immediately in your herd.

If you’re getting started with cattle pregnancy checks, participants can apply 50% of their training tuition toward the purchase of ultrasound equipment (and more).

When it’s full, it’s full.

Learn More or Get Registered:
https://viisona.com/

Have questions? Let us know!
info@viisona.com

03/01/2026

Early Bird Registration is now open for all confirmed 2026 ultrasound training courses across Canada.

Both of our programs are now available for advance registration with Early Bird savings:

2-Day Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound Course
Our most comprehensive training, designed for producers and veterinarians who want to develop their skills in applying ultrasound in cattle reproduction. This course goes well beyond pregnancy detection, covering uterine assessment, ovarian structures including the corpus luteum, cysts, pregnancy staging at all gestational ages, identification of twins, fetal viability and fetal demise, along with extensive hands-on scanning to build true diagnostic confidence in real-world herd situations.

1-Day Beef Cattle Pregnancy Checking Course
A streamlined, highly practical course built specifically for beef producers focused on efficient seasonal herd pregnancy checking using an extension arm. This focused format delivers the essential skills needed to confidently preg-check cows using ultrasound in a streamlined 1-day format.

Early Bird spots are limited and courses fill quickly each season.
View course dates and secure your seat early to save.

https://viisona.com/

Have questions? Reach out to us and we'll gladly share more insight - info@viisona.com

02/21/2026

What’s the difference between the 2-Day Dairy course and the 1-Day Beef course?

Need more details to help decide which course is right for you?
Here’s the simple breakdown:

2-Day (Dairy) Cattle Reproduction Ultrasound Course

(called the “dairy” course — but it applies to BOTH dairy and beef producers.)

This is our comprehensive reproductive ultrasound training.

Over two full days, you’ll learn to:

• Perform complete reproductive exams — not just pregnancy diagnosis
• Identify an open uterus (often more challenging than finding a pregnancy)
• Assess uterine health and infections
• Evaluate ovaries (CL, cysts, follicles)
• Stage pregnancies at all gestational ages
• Determine fetal viability
• Identify twins
• Recognize fetal demise and common anomalies
• Build strong image interpretation skills
• Get extensive hands-on repetition with live cattle

👉 This course goes deep into reproductive physiology and ultrasound interpretation.

It’s ideal if you want a strong foundation, full reproductive understanding, and long-term confidence — not just seasonal preg-checking.

🐂 1-Day Beef Pregnancy Checking Course

This is our streamlined, practical, producer-focused training.

In one focused day, you’ll learn to:

• Perform efficient herd pregnancy checks
• Scan later-stage pregnancies with an extension arm properly
• Identify fetal viability
• Estimate gestational age
• Interpret essential pregnancy images

Because it’s one day, there’s less theory and less total hands-on time. It stays tightly focused on the must-have skills for seasonal beef preg-checking.

So — Which One Is Right for You?

✔ Choose the 2-Day course if you want deeper knowledge, stronger diagnostic ability, and confidence assessing open cows and ovarian status — even as a beef producer.

✔ Choose the 1-Day course if your goal is strictly efficient seasonal pregnancy checking.

Many beef producers opt for the 2-Day program for the added confidence and skill depth — but it truly depends on your goals.

If you’re unsure, tell us how you plan to use ultrasound in your herd. We’re happy to help you choose the right fit.

Email us at info@viisona.com

02/20/2026

Congratulations to our newest Dairy Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound Training graduates! 👏🐄

A fantastic group from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia joined us at Biggs Farm in beautiful Wolfville for two full days of hands-on learning, herd-side practice, and skill-building.

A special thank you to Dr. Jolene Vermeulen for expertly facilitating the course and guiding participants through both theory and live cattle ultrasound exams.

Well done to all who invested in sharpening their skills and advancing herd reproductive management on their farms! 💪

02/19/2026

02/18/2026

There was a moment yesterday in Nova Scotia at our Dairy Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound Course that made us quietly proud.

Our vet educator stepped up to teach her first solo course when our most senior trainer couldn’t make it. She admitted she was a little nervous (fair!), but she handled it beautifully.

One of the many discussions with the group was about certainty in veterinary medicine and on-farm decisions.

The weight of feeling like you must have the answer. We talked about how production medicine isn’t built on certainty — it’s built on probability, context, and some humility. Farm to farm, things change. What’s true in one herd may not be in another.

And sometimes the most professional answer really is:

“I don’t know — let’s think this through.”

It feels fitting to share this thoughtful piece after yesterday’s chat during the course.

To our trainer — Dr. Jolene Vermeulen, thank you for leading with humility, clarity, and confidence (even if you felt butterflies).

That’s exactly the kind of veterinary leadership the industry needs.

The Power of I Don't Know
The most credible veterinarians are not the fastest to answer. They are the most honest about the process.

https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/power-i-dont-know?utm_campaign=snd&fbclid=IwY2xjawQDFGJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETJKNGpCVkpRNnZ1NzJiZ09Wc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm45iVNIO_vMWAV-XmAmI_z1pXfbt8kmUaqQPgr2KVABs7uGG8k1RiCR7w7X_aem_EZu69ZAZoB8fpkkA5tLwfg

02/18/2026

🐄 Determining fetal s*x is an important component of modern herd management, particularly in dairy or beef production. Knowing the offspring’s s*x at an early stage allows for more informed decisions regarding selection, herd replacement planning, and overall reproductive strategy.

✅How is it done?

In veterinary practice, ultrasonography is most commonly used. It is a non-invasive and safe method for both the mother and the embryo.

📅 The Optimal Period: Days 55–70

This is the best time for identification. The key diagnostic structure is the ge***al tubercle (tuberculum ge***ale):

MALE ♂️: The tubercle shifts toward the umbilicus and the future p***s.

FEMALE ♀️: It is located closer to the tail, in the region of the future v***a.

Correct interpretation requires high-quality ultrasound imaging and experience, as small variations in fetal positioning can influence the assessment.

⏳ After Days 70–80

Later in pregnancy, more developed organs like the sc***um or v***ar structures become visible. However, the examination becomes more challenging due to:

The increasing size of the fetus.

Its deeper position in the uterine cavity.

Limited maneuverability of the ultrasound probe.

💡 Breeding and Economic Significance

Fetal s*xing enables: ✅ Efficient genetic selection. ✅ Optimization of reproductive strategies (e.g., use of s*xed semen). ✅ Better decisions regarding the sale of animals.

This procedure requires a precise ultrasound device, manual skill, and a solid understanding of image interpretation.

02/17/2026

🐮🇨🇦

🌬️🐄

02/16/2026

We ❤️ getting to visit beautiful Nova Scotia!

Day One of the Dairy Cattle Reproductive Ultrasound Course here in gorgeous Wolfville. If you hoped to attend and couldn’t make this one work, we’re looking into bringing the training back in April before things get too busy!

If you’re interested, let us know, we’ll send you all the details. 🐮

Info@viisona.com

02/12/2026

2026 Ultrasound Training Schedule – Dates Confirmed!

2-Day Dairy Reproductive Ultrasound Courses
Wetaskiwin, AB – Mar 24–25 (Tue/Wed)
8 students | $1,825 → $1,725 Early Bird

Aylmer, ON – Jul 9–10 (Tue/Wed)
6 students | $1,695 → $1,595 Early Bird

NEW! 1-Day Beef Pregnancy Checking Courses
$995 → $895 Early Bird

Wetaskiwin, AB
• Aug 25, 26, 27 (Tue/Wed/Thu) – 8 spots per day
• Sep 15, 16, 17 (Tue/Wed/Thu) – 8 spots per day

Saskatchewan (location TBD)
• Sep 29, 30, Oct 1 (Tue/Wed/Thu) – 8 spots per day

Aylmer, ON
• Sep 24–25 (Thu/Fri) – 8 spots per day

Pricing varies slightly by location — we’re hauling vets, machines, and gear coast-to-coast to make this as convenient as possible (Alberta gets the full cross-Canada road trip treatment 😉).

Save the date! Registration isn’t open yet, but you can email us your preferred course to be added to our waitlist. We’ll notify everyone individually as we work through it.

If you’re on the waitlist and haven’t heard from us, send an email to info@viisona.com so we don’t miss you!

Early Bird saves $100 + new savings for those acquiring an ultrasound machine with training being announced soon!