Renew your Beef Quality Assurance certification.
Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers with knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry.
From the national BQA: "BQA does more than just help beef producers capture more value from their market cattle: BQA also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be."
How to become BQA certified
The Illinois Beef Association, with University of Illinois Extension, is providing seven informational meetings:
- November 30: Fairview, Sale Barn
- December 1: Greenville, Greenville VFW Hall
- December 6: Sycamore, DeKalb County Farm Bureau
- December 8: Congerville, Reel Livestock Center
- December 13: Arthur, Arthur Sale Barn
- December 14: Salem, United Producers
- January 19: Baylis, JWCC Ag Education Center
Certifications are active for three years, so certifications received in 2019 or earlier are no longer valid and must be re-certified to remain in good standing. This can be done in person or on fine at bqa.org.
- All meetings are free to IBA members. Non-members pay $20 which includes dinner and training materials.
- Pre-registration is required. For information, call the Illinois Beef Association at 217-787-4280 or go online to illinoisbeef.com.
- If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please contact Travis Meteer at wmeteer2@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged.