BQA Producer Forum
“The goal is to maximize consumer confidence in beef,” California veterinarian and cattleman John Maas told producers attending the annual BQA Producers Forum. SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 3, 2015) — While the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program provides information and education to beef cattle producers, it’s really all for the benefit of consumers.
“The goal is to maximize consumer confidence in beef,” California veterinarian and cattleman John Maas told producers attending the annual BQA Producers Forum. Hosted Feb. 3 during the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas, the forum provided producers with information about program developments and the opportunity for producer input.
Josh White explained the new Feedyard Assessment Database, a listing feedyards that have completed voluntary BQA feedyard assessment, as well as employee BQA training and certification.Maas, a member of the national BQA Advisory Board explained changes in the Board’s structure, noting that members, appointed by the chairman and vice chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) Federation of State Beef Councils, will serve staggered three-year terms. Maas also introduced new NCBA staffers, including Executive Director of Producer Education Josh White and BQA Manager Chase DeCoite.
White explained the new Feedyard Assessment Database, a listing feedyards that have completed voluntary BQA feedyard assessment, as well as employee BQA training and certification. The listing is expected to be fully launched by May 1 and may be accessed at www.feedyardassessment.org.
Chase DeCoite discussed revamping of the www.bqa.org website to include additional state resources and information for consumers.DeCoite discussed revamping of the www.bqa.org website to include additional state resources and information for consumers. Also available are new supplemental BQA guidelines and cattle handling videos. DeCoite also announced the scheduling of a Transportation Seminar, to be May 14 -15 in Fort Collins, Colo. The seminar will focus on BQA practices for cattle haulers.
Also discussed during the Forum were plans to coordinate education efforts with the dairy industry and a progressive multi-species BQA educational effort aimed at youth aged eight to 21 years of age.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. This article was written by staff or contracted for the Angus Journal. If you would like to reprint or repost this article, you must first request permission by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. The Angus Journal claims copyright to this website as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.