Cattle producers in Kansas will have the opportunity to become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, or renew an expired certification, this spring through four in-person trainings across the state. BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that offers education for cattle producers on up-to-date best management strategies with a commitment to quality through every segment of the beef industry.
The BQA trainings will be offered by K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Livestock Association and the Kansas Beef Checkoff. At no cost to them, producers can attend one of the following trainings:
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March 28 in Colby (City Limits Convention Center, 6:00 p.m.)
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March 30 in El Dorado (Butler County Community and 4-H Building, 6:00 p.m.)
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April 11 in Manhattan (Stanley Stout Center on the K-State campus, 6:00 p.m.)
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April 13 in Hays (Hilton Garden Inn, 6:00 p.m.)
Each BQA training will kick off with a dinner sponsored by Certified Angus Beef (CAB). As part of the dinner, attendees will hear how CAB shares the BQA story of every cattleman’s commitment to raising healthy, nutritious, high-quality beef with consumers and the brand’s licensed partners.
“Certified Angus Beef supports BQA because it’s an easy and effective way for producers to communicate cattle care to people on the opposite end of the beef supply chain,” says Bruce Cobb, CAB executive vice president of production. “Besides sharing producer stories and helping to drive demand for premium beef, providing a meal to attendees is the most direct way we can support cattlemen who get BQA certified at these events.”
During the BQA training, Dr. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, associate professor and beef Extension veterinarian at K-State, will walk through BQA best practices. Topics will include cattle care, extreme weather planning, stockmanship, and other critical topics for cattle production.
“BQA certification is good for three years,” Tarpoff says. “These continuing education programs are not only valuable to you and your operation but attending these sessions also proves to our downstream consumers that we are committed to producing the highest quality, safest beef supply in the world.”
Anyone interested is encouraged to pre-register for the event to get an accurate count for dinner. Contact Brooke Wines at [email protected] or call 785-273-5115. Onsite registration will also be available at each location.
Submit Your Certificate for a Chance to Win
All attendees who get BQA certified will be entered to win a giveaway from CAB. The brand is offering monthly incentives for cattlemen who get BQA certified, and March’s incentive will be a new vaccine cooler.
Angus producers affiliated with state or regional Angus associations may submit their BQA certificate to enter for a chance to win up to $2,000 for their local association. This challenge is open through June 30 and more information can be found at CutTheBull.info/challenge.
