Beef Quality Assurance certification helps producers demonstrate their commitment to excellence in beef production
An astounding 7,732 beef and dairy producers from across the country recently received their Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification during the open certification period thanks to a free offer from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI). This doubles the number of certifications from 2013 and raises the total to more than 11,000 producers who have made a commitment to quality through the free certification partnership.
During the Countdown to Quality event on the final week of the BQA free certification period BIVI encouraged producers to get certified through a contest to win a farm sign. Anyone who was certified during the promotion period was eligible to win. BIVI is proud to announce that Kevin Coburn, Tulsa, OK, is the winner of the farm sign.
Coburn says that the BQA program is important to the industry. "One of the biggest challenges that the beef industry and all of agriculture faces is lack of communication and trust between producers and consumers. The BQA certification program is a step towards bridging gaps and I am proud to be a part of the movement," he adds.
The checkoff-funded BQA program gives beef and dairy producers, stockers and feedyards a set of best practices for producing a safe and high-quality beef product. It also assures consumers that the beef they eat is both safe and wholesome.
"BQA provides a solid foundation for animal welfare and disease prevention," says Dr. John Maas, extension veterinarian at the University of CaliforniaDavis, and 2013 BQA Educator of the Year. "Once we adopt the BQA attitude of cattle health, care and welfare, things just keep getting better naturally."
Although the free certification period has passed, it's never too late to show your commitment to quality and become BQA certified. To get started, visit www.BIVI-BQA.com.
"We are delighted with the level of participation in the BQA certification offer," said David Korbelik, Director of US Cattle Marketing for BIVI. "It shows just how ready producers are to implement practices that better their operation and the industry, and that they understand how incremental changes can make a huge difference in the long run." To learn more about BQA certification, visit www.BIVI-BQA.com
5.13.2014