CLARINDA, Iowa — Southwest Iowa beef producers who want to become certified through the Beef Quality Assurance program have three opportunities this month at sessions being hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Chris Clark. He said the program will cover numerous best management practices and will qualify producers for BQA certification. Iowa beef producers, veterinarians, feed industry personnel and anyone else interested in beef cattle production are invited to participate. Each program will include a general overview of the BQA program and cover all the major production practices required for BQA certification.
“There is growing demand from packers and retailers that producers become BQA certified, and it soon may become necessary for producers, especially those marketing fed cattle, to become certified in order to maintain market access,” Clark said. “Beyond that, the program does include a lot of really good information. BQA has evolved into a pretty comprehensive program and there should be value in the content for those that attend.”
Timing varies slightly at each of the locations, so note date and time for the locations of interest, and preregister by the deadline. All sessions are free, and the June 20 session includes a meal. Dates, times and locations follow.
June 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Red Barn, Taylor County Fairgrounds, Bedford. Preregister by June 15 by calling the Taylor County Extension Office at 712-523-2137.
June 20, 6 to 8 p.m. (Meal begins at 5:30 p.m) Wibholm Hall, Page County Fairgrounds, Clarinda. Preregister by June 15 by calling the Page County Extension Office at 712-542-5171.
June 26, 6:30 to 9 p.m. 4-H/FFA Center, Adair County Fairground, Greenfield. Preregister by June 20 by calling the Adair County Extension Office at 641-743-8412.
Contact Clark by email at caclark@iastate.edu for additional information.
— Chris Clark, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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