BQA Free Certification Period Announced
BQA partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. provides free certification through April 15.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 4, 2015) — During the Annual Cattle Industry Convention, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) announced a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) free-certification period — from now through April 15. Beef and dairy producers can take advantage of free BQA certification online courtesy of BIVI and the BQA program, which is funded in part by the beef checkoff.
BQA helps increase consumer confidence in the beef industry by demonstrating that the industry strives to produce a safe, wholesome product. All segments of the industry can benefit from becoming BQA-certified, including producers from cow-calf, dairy, stocker and feedyard operations, and anyone affiliated with those segments. With an overall focus on animal handling and disease treatment and prevention, online certification modules are customized to meet each segment’s needs.
“The beef industry has embraced BQA as the right thing to do for our industry. BQA certification helps producers share with consumers their commitment and pride in raising quality beef,” says Josh White, executive director, producer education and national BQA program leader. “The partnership with BIVI helps encourage producers and their employees to become certified.”
Beyond reinforcing industry best practices for cattle production, obtaining BQA certification can be a useful tool in an ever-changing industry landscape where consumers want to be assured they are receiving a product raised in ways that align with BQA.
Certification in BQA is rapidly increasing through the partnership of free online certifications from BIVI, now entering its third year. More than 16,000 have enrolled in the BQA free certification program since BIVI partnered with BQA in 2013. That's an impressive number that reflects both beef and dairy producers’ commitment to producing a quality beef product.
For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com. For questions about the online certification process, including technical issues, please contact Kelly Oliver at Kansas State University.
UNDERSTANDING THE BEEF CHECKOFF PROGRAM: The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
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