DRYDEN, N.Y. — The checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has launched a new training and certification program for cattle transportation. The program, known as Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT), provides cattle producers and haulers with comprehensive training based on their roles in the cattle industry. An in-person training will be offered on Thursday November 1st from 6:00-9:00pm. The training will take place at Empire Livestock Marketing in Dryden, 49 E Main St. The training is free to all attendees due to support from Cargill. The three hour long training will include a classroom session, meal, and mock trailer inspection led by the New York State Troopers.
“By educating cattle haulers and producers on the best practices in cattle transportation, BQA is helping make improvements in cattle care and beef quality. Participating in BQA Transportation will be an indicator that the beef and dairy industries are committed to responsible animal care during transportation and makes both the BQA and dairy FARM animal care programs more complete,” said Chase DeCoite, director of Beef Quality Assurance for NCBA, a contractor to the beef checkoff.
The BQA program was first funded by the beef checkoff in the early 1990s and developed its first guidance on transportation in 2006. Today, the program offers training and certification programs for all sectors of the industry: cow-calf, stocker and feedyard. This is the first time a nationally recognized certification has been offered for the transportation segment of the industry.
To learn more about the November 1 training visit www.nybeef.org under Farmer’s Fencepost. RSVPs are due October 26th, please call Katherine at 315-339-6922.
To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com or www.nybeef.org.
–New York Beef Council