Award applications for the 11th annual checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award now are being accepted. Applications are due by June 24, 2016. The 2017 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef, dairy, marketing and education:

– The BQA Cow Calf, BQA Feedyard and BQA Dairy awards recognize producers that best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.

– The BQA Educator Award is open to individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals that care and handle cattle throughout the industry chain.

– The BQA Marketer Award is open to livestock markets, cattle buyers and supply-chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified.

The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups. Nominations are submitted by organizations, groups or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy beef producer, marketer or educator. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, though the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to submit their application under the new nomination structure. Previous winners may not reapply.