AMES, Iowa — Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) continues to be an important pillar of checkoff programming and each year we strive to recognize outstanding individuals that exemplify the tenets of the program. The awards were announced on December 18th during the Annual Meeting. We are pleased to share the winners of the 2020 Beef Quality Assurance Awards.
2020 BQA FEEDLOT AWARD
The Iowa Feedyard awards recognizes outstanding farmer feeders with a commitment to BQA principles. Mogler Farms of Alvord, IA is a family operation spanning three generations with seven family members currently working on the farm. This is a diversified farm operation encompassing a hog farrow-to-finish operation, row crops, beef feedlot, and a commercial grain elevator. The beef feedlot consists of 3000 head and is the pride and joy of Howard. Mogler Farms have been early adopters of electronic ID, feedyard performance monitoring programs and have participated in university studies to examine best management practices. Ross Mogler shared, “Since implementing the BQA standards, we have seen improvement of cattle care, comfort, health, and performance. The team prides themselves on handling the cattle in the proper manner and seeing the benefits of leading animal husbandry standards.” Their commitment to a high standard of care is all encompassing, congratulations to Mogler Farms on being selected the 2020 Feedyard Award recipient.
2020 BQA COW-CALF AWARD
Setting cattle up for success starts early in life at the first stage of production. David Bruene, Iowa State University Beef Teaching Farm Manager, works diligently to help students and farm employees understand the importance of BQA principles and how to implement those strategies every day to ensure calves are set for long-term success. When working in a teaching environment, safe cattle handling is paramount for students and the cattle. Student hires at the farm come with varying degrees of experience and the BQA program provides a consistent standard that helps build continuity within the team, no matter the task. Congratulations David Bruene on being selected the 2020 Cow-Calf Award recipient.
2020 MARKETER BQA AWARD
Iowa is the home to a robust live auction system facilitated by the work of auction markets across the state. Dunlap Livestock Auction is a long-time builder of the next generation of livestock producers – having supported many local county fair 4-H and FFA beef shows, worked with ISU extension to study impacts of feeder cattle pricing, etc. and even hosted the World Livestock Auctioneer Contest in the early 200’s. Family matriarch’s Jim and Ruth purchased the market in 1950 with the transition to Jay, Jim and Jon taking over the family business in the 90’s. Today, the third generation of Schaben’s are involved in the family business. Dunlap Livestock Auction has been a household name in the livestock business as their influence stretches far beyond the gavel. They have been integral in helping local cattlemen attain BQA certification by working alongside BQA educators to host several certification events for producers seeking assistance. Congratulations to Dunlap Livestock Auction for being selected as the 2020 Iowa Marketer Award recipient.
For more information contact IBIC’s Director of Industry Relations, Casey Anderson, at casey@iabeef.org.
— Iowa Beef Industry Council and Beef Quality Assurance
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