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The Cattle Connection

Are you BQA certified?

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program designed by cattlemen and cattlewomen, delivered by cattlemen and cattlewomen, for cattlemen and cattlewomen. BQA equips producers with production strategies and general skills to maintain animal care and performance to ensure a safe, quality food supply.

By now, you as a beef producer realize that the beef business is a consumer-driven business. Grassroots programs, like BQA trainings, are the foundation to reinforcing consumer confidence and securing a bright future for cattle farms. By becoming BQA certified, a producer is not only helping secure a bright future for beef, but also refining management practices and handling qualities that can help improve the bottom-line.

The first question producer's ask is "What is the benefit of the certification to me?" By becoming BQA certified, a producer has hard evidence of the passion and carefulness that they display on a daily basis when caring for animals. As the consumer is further removed from farming and agriculture, it is more important to document your commitment to BQA practices. BQA also equips producers with skills and knowledge to reduce or eliminate carcass defects, carcass bruising, and animal stress. All while keeping you up to date on the newest beef industry news, improving record keeping, opening premium market opportunities, and simply put… it is the right thing to do!

If you are not BQA certified or your certification is out-of-date, I encourage you to join your fellow cattle producers in becoming certified.

Cattlemen are invited to attend BQA training sessions this winter sponsored by the IBA to learn about the latest best management practices and become BQA certified. There is a $25 registration fee payable at the door to cover the cost of meals and training materials and reservations are encouraged by contacting the IBA at 217-787-4280.

The meetings will begin at 6 p.m. with a meal followed by the training session.

Dates and locations are:

  • Dec. 2, Litchfield, Lincoln Land Community College Arts & Technology Building Multipurpose Room
  • Dec. 4, Quincy, Adams County Farm Bureau Building
  • Dec. 9, Paris, Edgar County Fairgrounds – Multipurpose 4-H Building