Submitted by: Brandy Brabham, WVU Extension Agent—Roane County, 304-927-0975
There will be a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training held on Tuesday, February 27 at 6 p.m. at Roane County Library Meeting Room in Spencer, WV. This training is free and it does not matter what county you live in to participate in the training. The certification is good for three years. Dinner will be provided.
BQA is a national program that not only raises consumer confidence, but it provides producers with the tools to assure their cattle are going to provide a safe, wholesome product to consumers. Producers will learn about how common-sense husbandry practices can also help them garner more dollars when marketing their cattle. BQA can also help expand marketing opportunities for beef producers, such as the Mountain State Ground Beef program of the West Virginia Cattlemen’s Association.
BQA is considered a valuable tool for several reasons. This includes a commitment to food safety and quality, improving sale value of marketed beef cattle, as well as enhancing herd profitability through better management.
BQA does more than just help beef producers capture more value from their market cattle, it also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows and bulls are the best they can be. Today, the stakes are even higher because the full beef supply chain is leveraging BQA to ensure commitment to food safety, animal welfare, and beef quality.
To register for this training or if you have any questions, please call the WVU-Roane County Extension office by Friday, February 23 before 4 PM at 304-927-0975 or email them at roanecountyextension@mail.wvu.edu to allow for planning of training manuals and dinner supplies.
