Dairy students learn importance of BQA principles

Beef Checkoff provides hands-on learning experience for college students

October marks BQA Month in New York and throughout the month various trainings were held at farms in each corner of the state! The Beef Quality Assurance program provides review of important principles that affect the quality of beef including animal care and husbandry, safe feedstuffs, feed additives and medications, accurate processing and treatment records, and proper injectable health product use.

New York Beef Council and Cornell University partner to deliver BQA in the state. Through strong partnerships with Morrisville State College and SUNY Cobleskill over fifty dairy students received their Level I BQA Student Certification this fall. “About 18% of our beef supply comes from dairy animals, it is important that these students understand the significant role they play in producing and ensuring the production of high quality beef,” shared Katherine Brosnan, New York Beef Council Director of Industry Relations & Consumer Promotions and BQA Co-Coordinator.

In addition to the college level trainings held over seventy five beef producers and farm workers attended trainings during October BQA month. There are over 95,000 BQA certified producers throughout the United State who all opted to become involved in the program in order to ensure beef quality and maintain consumer trust. For more information about the Beef Quality Assurance program and to see upcoming trainings visit the Farmer’s Fencepost section of the New York Beef Council website at www.nybeef.org.

The robust New York BQA program supported by our sponsors Agrilabs, Kent Feeds, Merck Animal Health, Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment, Powder River, Multimin, and Zoetis.