AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Beef Center is cooperating with the Iowa Beef Industry Council to host a series of Beef Quality Assurance training and certification sessions across Iowa before the end of 2018. BQA is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
BQA certification is increasingly being encouraged, and in some cases required, by market outlets for finishing cattle and this trend is expected to increase. BQA is a voluntary program and the Iowa BQA Program is funded by the IBIC and the Beef Checkoff. The education component is delivered as a joint effort by IBC at Iowa State University and IBIC.
More sessions will be added so check the IBIC website for Iowa BQA Program and other upcoming certification trainings in your area. BQA certification also is offered online at the national level. Learn more about the BQA program and online certification option.
A chronological schedule of BQA sessions, including time, location, preregistration requirements and specific contact information, follows.
November
- Nov. 13, 1-3 p.m. Oakland Community, Oakland. Meal to begin at noon. Preregister by calling the Pottawattamie County Extension Office 712-482-6449. Contact: Erika Lundy, Region 4 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Mediapolis City Hall, 510 Main Street, Mediapolis. RSVP: desmoines.county@ifbf.org or 319-752-2729. Contact: Patrick Wall, Region 6 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Country Junction Restaurant, 913 15th Ave., SE, Dyersville. Speakers at 11 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m., BQA training at 1:15 p.m. RSVP by Nov. 12 to Dave Rueber at 563-590-4775 or Patrick Bries at 319-480-9903. Contact: Denise Schwab, Region 3 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Waukon Sales Barn, 1645 Highway 76, Waukon. Contact: Denise Schwab, Region 3 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-noon. New Dordt Ag Stewardship Center, Sioux Center. Preregister by Nov. 14 by calling 712-737-4230. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 19, 5 p.m. Creston Livestock Market Auction, 201 N. Cherry St., Creston. Contact: Chris Clark, Region 5 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 20, 4-6 p.m. Ridge Event Hall, Sioux Center. RSVP by Nov. 15 to 207-281-3064. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 20, 5:30-9 p.m. American Legion, 121 Bryant St., Walcott. Contact: Denise Schwab, Region 3 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-noon. Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon. Preregister by Nov. 14 by calling 712-957-5045. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 28, 6-8 p.m. Hansen Ag Student Learning Center, Ames. Preregister by Nov. 14 by calling the BEEF line at 515-294-2333. Contact: Chris Clark, Region 5 ISU Beef Specialist, or Katy Lippolis, ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 29, 5:30-9 p.m. Timber Center, 1005 E. Platt St., Maquoketa. Contact: Denise Schwab, Region 3 ISU Beef Specialist
- Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m. Dunlap Livestock Auction, 701 US-30, Dunlap. Meal to begin at 5 p.m. Preregister by Nov. 27 by calling Harrison County Extension Office at 712-644-2105. Contact: Chris Clark, Region 5 ISU Beef Specialist, or Erika Lundy, Region 4 ISU Beef Specialist
December
- Dec. 3, 5:30-9 p.m. Durant Community Center, 606 5th Ave., Durant. Contact: Denise Schwab, Region 3 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. Linn Grove Country Club, Rockwell. Preregister by Dec. 2 by calling or texting Mark DeVries at 641-425-2150. Contact: Russ Euken, Region 2 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-noon. Sac County Extension Office, Sac City. Preregister by Dec. 2 by calling 712-662-7131. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 4, 7-9 p.m. Kalona Sale Barn. Meal to begin at 6 p.m. Contact: Patrick Wall, Region 6 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-noon. Grace United Methodist Church, Spencer. Preregister by Dec. 3 by calling 712-262-2264. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 5, 5:30-9 p.m. Wolfey’s Wapsi Outback, 101 Water St. S, Quasqueton. Meal 5:30 p.m. Preregister by calling Winthrop Vet Clinic, 319-935-3393. Contact: Denise Schwab, Region 3 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-noon. Plymouth County Extension, Le Mars. Preregister by Dec. 9 by calling 712-546-7835. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mahaska County Extension Office, 212 N. I St., Oskaloosa. Contact: Patrick Wall, Region 6 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m. Red Oak Livestock Market. Meal to begin at 5 p.m. Preregister by calling the Montgomery County Extension Office: 712-623-2592. Contact: Erika Lundy, Region 4 ISU Beef Specialist
- Dec. 18, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Archer Coop Grain Company, 5268 370th St., Archer. Morning program: Grain and Livestock Market Outlook, Matt Campbell, INTL FCStone; Cash Grain Marketing Tools, Mike Schon, Archer Coop. BQA training from 1-2:30 p.m. No cost to attend and meal provided by Archer Coop Grain Company. RSVP by Dec. 14 to Archer Coop Grain Company 712-723-5233. Contact: Beth Doran, Region 1 ISU Beef Specialist
— Sherry Hoyer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
For more news from Iowa, click here.