Northeast Iowa BQA sessions - get certified for quality beef

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Attention northeast Iowa beef producers! Maintaining your Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is crucial to continue selling your cattle. This program is mandatory for producers supplying Tyson Foods, Cargill, Iowa Premium, and various processors and sale barns. Recertification is required every three years.

The good news? Seven convenient BQA training sessions are scheduled across northeast Iowa, catering to both initial and renewal certifications. All participants will be certified by the end of the program.

"Pre-registration is important for some locations," advises Denise Schwab, a beef specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. "Knowing meal attendance helps with planning."

These sessions will address recent changes in packer requirements and the information cattle producers must provide to sell their animals. BQA certification assures consumers they're getting safe, high-quality beef produced responsibly, considering animal welfare and the environment.

Here's a glimpse of the upcoming BQA sessions (separate registration required for BQA Transportation):

June 18th: St. Donatus Parish Center (Starts 6 PM, Preregister with B & G Feed Service: 563-773-8801)
June 26th: Buzzy's, Welton (Starts 5 PM, Preregister with ISU Extension Clinton County: 563-659-5125 by June 21st)
June 28th: Waverly Sales Company (Burgers at noon, Meeting 1 PM, Preregister with Waverly Sales Co.: 319-352-2804)
July 9th: Equity Livestock, Waukon (Dinner 6 PM, Training 6:30 PM, Preregister by July 8th with Equity Livestock: 563-568-4501)
August 19th: Tama Livestock Auction (Starts 6 PM, Preregister by August 13th with Tama Livestock Auction: 641-484-3465) - BQA with BQAT following
August 21st: American Legion, Walcott (Meal 6 PM, Meeting 6:30 PM, Preregister by August 15th with Walcott Vet Clinic: 563-284-6233)
September 18th: Decorah Sales Commission (Starts 8:30 AM, Register with Decorah Sales Commission: 563-382-4203)

Funded by beef checkoff dollars and facilitated by industry partnerships, Iowa's BQA program keeps producers informed about best practices and fosters consumer confidence in the state's commitment to safe, high-quality beef.

For more information contact Schwab by email at dschwab@iastate.edu or call 319-721-9624.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university