As World Goat Day fast approaches on 21st August, we thought it would be a good time to give our goat farmer/breeder customers a gentle nudge to check on the performance of their portable ultrasound machine. With October bringing one of the busiest periods of the year for many goat farmers and breeders, now is the ideal time to dust off your system, make sure it’s clean and fully charged (where applicable) and maybe give it a quick test on a (hopefully) willing participant. Is it time to get it serviced? Maybe even upgraded?

For goat breeders, ultrasound scanning is an important part of managing a breeding programme. Reliable equipment and clear imaging can make pregnancy scanning more efficient, helping you get through the job confidently when there are plenty of animals waiting to be scanned- the last thing you want in October is to discover that your ultrasound machine needs attention.

Whether your existing scanner has been working hard for years, has developed a niggling fault, or has simply been sitting on the to-do list waiting for a service, checking it now could save you valuable time when the breeding season gets busy.

National Goat Day could be the reminder you need.

If your machine needs some attention, we have a dedicated Machine Servicing Department ready to help with servicing and repairs. Getting your equipment checked before the busy period gives you the opportunity to identify and resolve problems while you have time on your side.

Thinking about buying your first goat ultrasound machine?

If you’ve been considering investing in your first portable ultrasound system, National Goat Day is also a good excuse to start thinking about what you’ll need for the season ahead.

We work with goat farmers and breeders around the world, and four systems consistently stand out for their combination of image quality, portability and durability:

1. ScanX– lightweight and ultra-portable

The ScanX® is our most popular ultrasound machine for goat pregnancy scanning, and for good reason.

At just 0.6kg (1.5lbs), it is exceptionally lightweight, making it easy to carry around the farm. It also offers more than six hours of scanning time, so you can spend less time worrying about charging and more time getting the job done. The ScanX® has been designed with small-animal pregnancy scanning in mind, providing excellent image quality in a compact and highly portable system.

Another useful feature is its straightforward image sharing; connect your tablet to Wi-Fi and images can be uploaded directly from your device to your website, Animal Ultrasound Association profile, Facebook page or email. All of this without having to transfer files from the scanner to a computer via USB.

The latest 2026 ScanX® probe adds even more flexibility. Its detachable design means you can use it wirelessly for maximum portability or attach it via cable when preferred, while retaining the same trusted image clarity. For smaller goats, including pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats, the microconvex 5–8MHz probe is ideal. Furthermore, if you need technical support, ScanX® systems can be serviced remotely by our team, meaning some software updates and technical assistance can be provided without the machine needing to leave your hands.

Best for: breeders who prioritise ultra-portability, long battery life and excellent image quality.

2. KX5600L– compact, practical and built for fieldwork

The KX5600L Handheld Scanner is another excellent option for goat breeders looking for a lightweight system that can keep up with life on the farm.

Weighing approximately 1.2kg, the KX5600L combines a bright 5.6-inch display with a practical flip screen that can be used comfortably by left- or right-handed operators. Its 5200mAh lithium battery provides around five hours of continuous use, making it well suited to extended periods of scanning. It also includes a range of workflow and measurement tools designed to make field scanning more efficient. Eight grid formats allow for quick and consistent estimation, while the integrated obstetrics list helps with storing and managing pregnancy records. Partial magnification and colour enhancement can help bring out visual detail, while automatic back-fat measurement provides on-screen guidance.

For breeders who want a scanner that is small enough to carry throughout the working day without compromising on useful features, the KX5600L is a strong choice.

Best for: farmers and vets looking for a compact handheld scanner with practical measurement and record-keeping features.

3. Elite 5600– a proven farm favourite

If durability is high on your list of priorities, the Elite 5600  is well worth considering.

This system comes from Kai Xin, a company established in 1997 with a long history of producing portable ultrasound equipment. In fact, around 90% of the systems we sold when we first began in 2010 are still in use today– a testament to their longevity.

The Elite 5600 features a high-resolution 64-channel multifrequency transducer, designed to provide a narrow beam, high resolution and a strong signal-to-noise ratio. Its 10.4-inch high-resolution colour LED display provides a large, high-contrast viewing area, while adjustable screen brightness and a backlit keyboard make the system practical in different working environments.

At 4.5kg, it may be heavier than the ScanX and KX5600L, but that larger form factor brings its own advantages– particularly for users who value a robust, traditional portable ultrasound system for regular farm use.

The Elite 5600 also comes with a two-year warranty.

Best for: breeders looking for a robust, proven system with a larger screen and a strong reputation for durability.

4. ScanX Air– wireless flexibility for goat breeders

The ScanX Air is a versatile wireless ultrasound system that gives goat breeders the freedom to scan using a tablet, phone or other compatible device. Available either as a dual-headed transducer, with convex and linear scanning in one probe, or as a single-head convex scanner.

For most goat breeders, the convex-only version is likely to be all you need; designed for medium to large animals, the convex probe provides a wide field of view and deeper penetration, making it particularly well suited to goat pregnancy and abdominal scanning. Choosing the single convex head also makes the ScanX Air a more cost-effective option if you don’t need the additional functionality of a linear probe.

For breeders who want more versatility, the dual-headed version combines convex and linear scanning in one wireless transducer. The convex head can be used for pregnancy and abdominal scanning, while the linear head is useful for more superficial imaging– and can also be used by goat breeders for lung scans.

The ScanX Air can be paired with Windows, iOS or Android devices, with the 128-element convex transducer operating at 3.5–5MHz and providing depths of up to 30cm. Colour Doppler can also be enabled to visualise blood flow, including in the umbilical cord and foetal heart, helping provide additional information during pregnancy scanning.

Best for: goat breeders looking for a lightweight, wireless system for pregnancy scanning, with the option of a cost-effective convex-only probe or additional versatility with the dual-headed version.

Already have an ultrasound machine? Don’t forget about trade-ins

Buying a new ultrasound machine doesn’t necessarily mean your existing portable scanner has to gather dust in the cupboard. If you already own a portable ultrasound machine and like the look of one of our systems, get in touch to talk about trade-in deals.

Depending on your existing equipment, you could potentially take hundreds of pounds off the price of a new system, making upgrading more affordable. It’s particularly worth asking about a trade-in if your current scanner is getting older, you’re finding it increasingly difficult to carry around the farm, or you simply want to benefit from newer technology and improved workflow.

Don’t wait until October

The goat breeding season has a habit of creeping up on you! By the time October is here, you don’t want to be discovering that your scanner needs a repair, arranging a service at the last minute, or trying to decide which machine to buy while you’re already busy scanning. So, this World Goat Day on Friday 21st August, why not take a few minutes to think about your ultrasound equipment?

Already have a machine? Give it a check and arrange a service or repair if needed.

Need a new scanner? Take a look at the ScanX, KX5600L, Elite 5600 and ScanX Air and consider which best suits your breeding operation.

Looking to upgrade? Ask us about our trade-in deals– you could save hundreds of pounds on a new system.

With goat breeders and farmers using our equipment across the globe, we know how important dependable ultrasound equipment is when the pressure is on. Check your machine now, and you’ll be ready when October arrives.