Beef Quality Assurance in-person training and recertification available

The Michigan Beef Industry Commission and Michigan State University Extension beef team have partnered to provide in-person training and recertification sessions.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that provides education on best management practices for cattle producers. Practicing BQA demonstrates a commitment from the producer to the consumer, that as the producer, they are providing proper care for their animals and providing a wholesome product. Certification in BQA can help capture more value for cattle sold at market while also increasing consumer confidence in the cattle industry.

Beef Quality Assurance training covers a variety of topics such as safe cattle handling, proper record keeping, cattle treatment procedures, biosecurity, fitness for transportation, and euthanasia considerations.

Many major beef packers began to require BQA certification as of January 1, 2019. For those who became BQA certified to meet this deadline, recertification is needed as your BQA certification is set to expire after three years. Online national training and certification is free and can be found at www.bqa.org.

If you are interested in in-person BQA training, the Michigan Beef Industry Commission and Michigan State University Extension beef team have teamed up to provide multiple free training and recertification sessions across Michigan. We ask that you please RSVP at: https://bit.ly/MiBQAreg, however, walk-ins are welcome. See list of BQA sessions below.

Date

Start Time

Location

Address

City

Nov. 4

9 a.m.

Clare Church of the Nazarene

10160 S Grant Ave

Clare

Nov. 18

3 p.m.

United Producers Inc. Livestock Market

7810 N. Croswell Rd

St. Louis

Nov. 18

7 p.m.

Elmer Twp. (Kittle) Hall

863 W. Kittle Rd

Mio

Nov. 20

10 a.m.

Ravenna Auction

3265 S. Slocum Rd

Ravenna

Dec. 1

6 p.m.

Franklin Inn

1070 E. Huron Ave

Bad Axe

Dec. 2

6 p.m.

Napoleon Livestock Commission Co.

6810 Brooklyn Rd (M-50)

Napolean

Dec. 14

7 p.m.

Banks Twp. Hall

6520 Center St

Ellsworth

Dec. 15

6 p.m.

St. Clair Co. MSU Extension Office 

200 Grand River Ave

Port Huron 

Dec. 16

7 p.m.

Whittemore Chamber of Commerce

405 E. Sherman S

Whittemore

Jan. 19

6 p.m.

Sanilac Co. Fair Grounds - FFA barn

210 N Dawson St

Sandusky

Feb. 18

6 p.m.

Beagio’s Pizza

5795 Sanilac Rd

Kingston

 

For more information on becoming BQA certified, please contact either Dan Buskirk, MSU Extension beef specialist, 517-432-0400, buskirk@msu.edu; Frank Wardynski, MSU Extension ruminant educator, 906-281-0918, wardynsk@msu.edu or Jerad Jaborek, MSU Extension feedlot educator, 715-451-2035, jaborekj@msu.edu.

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