ALBANY — October is BQA Month! During the month of October trainings will be held throughout New York State so becoming BQA certified is easier than ever! Making a commitment to Beef Quality Assurance is the right thing to do to continue to increase consumer confidence and beef demand.
Upcoming Trainings:
October 6th- 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Training Location- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown, NY
Chute-side Location- Moon Meadow Farm, Ted Card Family, 3195 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY
For more information/register: call Lisa Kempisty, 716-664-9502 Ext. 203, ljk4@cornell.edu
October 9th- 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Training Location- Rockspring Farm, 490 Mill Rd., Cooperstown, NY 13326
For more information/register: call Bill Gibson, 518-588-6032, wrg56@cornell.edu
October 12th- 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Training Location- Empire Livestock, 7418 NY-415, Bath, NY
For more information/register (RSVP due October 5th): call Lynn Bliven 716-244-0290
October 18th- 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Training Location- Short Tract Fire Hall, 10355 Co Rd 15 Fillmore, NY
For more information/register (RSVP due October 12th): call Lynn Bliven 716-244-0290
Why become BQA Certified?
Has a consumer ever asked you how you care for your animals? Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a program developed to ensure that beef and dairy cattle are raised in a manner that will result in safe and wholesome beef products for the consumer. Specifically, BQA is designed to enhance quality by preventing drug residues, injection-site blemishes and bruises.
BQA is a good production and business practice which can identify potential problem areas in order to avoid product defects. It is of utmost importance that the public has confidence in knowing that beef, no matter its origin is a safe product. Keep these three questions in mind: 1) does this decision improve product integrity and customer trust? 2) will this decision affect eating satisfaction? and 3) will I be proud to make this a part of telling my farm and industry’s story?
For more information or questions regarding Beef Quality Assurance or BQA Recertification which is required every three years, please contact the New York Beef Council office at 315-339-6922 or email kbrosnan@nybeef.org.
–New York Beef Council