The folks at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) have been strong supporters of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program and that confidence in the program has led them to sponsor another free-certification period — from now through April 15. The announcement was made during the recent Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show and I caught up with BIVI’s Director of the Cattle Professional Services Vet team, Dr. Craig Jones.
“BQA is a comprehensive program that covers a lot of the keys areas we should focus on when managing, developing, producing cattle. It covers things like proper injections sites techniques, what can be done to eliminate blemishes, cattle handling, nutrition, good record keeping. It’s a complete set of good practices.”
This is BIVI’s third year to partner with NCBA and sponsor BQA education. Dr. Jones said their goal is to provide an economical and easy source of education for beef producers of all types.
Recertification is also a must. If you were certified three years ago, it’s time to re-educate yourself on these best practices. So why not take advantage of this free-certification period and be sure and tell a friend.
During the convention last week, producers were honored with the checkoff’s annual national BQA awards. The awards honor producers, marketers and educators who have taken the foundations of BQA program to the next level and facilitate it into their everyday practices.
The 2016 BQA winners were:
– BQA Cow Calf Award – Frank Stoltzfus, Masonic Village Farm from Elizabethtown, Pa.
– BQA Feedyard Award – Todd and Kristi Drake, Nodaway Valley Feeders from Nodaway, Iowa
– BQA Dairy Award – Reid and Diane Hoover, Brook-Corner, LLC from Lebanon, Pa.
– BQA Marketer Award – Scott Mueller, Samson, Inc. from Columbus, Neb.
– BQA Educator of the Year Award – Lisa Pederson, North Dakota State University
Listen to my complete interview with Dr. Jones here: Interview with Dr. Craig Jones, BIVI
Photos from the Convention: 2016 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album
