Dairy and beef producers can get free quality certifications. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is offering to producers who sign up by April 15 free Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certifications, funded by the checkoff and giving producers tools to provide the safest and highest quality beef to consumers.

BIVI will pick up the $25-50 certification fee for beef or dairy producers who are interested in becoming certified or recertified during this period. Visit www.BIVI-BQA.com to take advantage of the open certification period. BQA is important to the cattle industry as it gives producers a set of best practices for producing a safe and high-quality beef product. It also gives consumers the assurance that the beef they eat is both healthy and wholesome.

“Some of the challenges that beef producers face is having all of their employees become BQA certified,” says Dr. Jerry Woodruff, Professional Services Veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. “BIVI’s partnership with BQA helps offset some of those expenses, and we encourage producers and their employees to use the web-based training programs.”

The certification modules are customized for each segment of the cattle industry, including dairy operations. It covers best management practices, such as proper handling and administration of vaccinations and other products, eliminating injection site blemishes, and better cattle handling principles.

Last year, more than 3,500 producers signed up for and got the BQA certification through BIVI. More information is available at www.BIVI-BQA.com.