Upcoming Beef Quality Assurance Sessions in Northeast Iowa

By Andi Anderson

Beef producers in Northeast Iowa have an important opportunity to ensure their operations meet the highest industry standards by attending upcoming Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification sessions.

This certification is crucial for producers intending to sell cattle to major companies like Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Iowa Premium.

BQA certification is required every three years and is endorsed by several beef processors and select sale barns.

This requirement underscores the commitment of the beef industry to provide safe and high-quality products, considering animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

The sessions are available for both initial certification and recertification.

Denise Schwab, a beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, emphasized the importance of preregistering for these sessions, noting that some sessions include a meal, which requires accurate planning for numbers.

Here’s a rundown of the scheduled BQA sessions in Northeast Iowa:

• June 18 at St. Donatus Parish Center, St. Donatus: Program begins at 6 p.m. Call B & G Feed Service at 563-77388-01 to preregister.
• June 26 at Buzzy’s, Welton: Starts at 5 p.m. Register by June 21 by calling ISU Extension and Outreach Clinton County at 563-659-5125.
• June 28 at Waverly Sales Company: Burgers served at noon; meeting starts at 1 p.m. Preregister with Waverly Sales Co. at 319-352-2804.
• July 9 at Equity Livestock, Waukon: Dinner at 6 p.m., training at 6:30 p.m. Call 563-568-4501 to register by July 8.
• August 19 at Tama Livestock Auction: Includes BQAT after BQA at 6 p.m. Register by August 13 by calling 641-484-3465.
• August 21 at American Legion, Walcott: Meal at 6 p.m., meeting at 6:30 p.m. Register by August 15 at Walcott Vet Clinic, 563-284-6233. The meal cost for non-clients is $10-12.
• August 28-29 at Grant County Fairgrounds, Wisconsin: NCBA Stockmanship & Stewardship program at 1 p.m. Registration required.
• September 18 at Decorah Sales Commission: Begins at 8:30 a.m. To register, call 563-382-4203.

These sessions, funded by beef checkoff dollars, also address changes in packer requirements and essential topics like proper injection site techniques, recordkeeping, and new on-farm BQA assessments.

Through this program, Iowa producers demonstrate their commitment to delivering safe and high-quality beef, reinforcing consumer confidence in the products they purchase.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-erdinhasdemir