What is Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)?
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers of how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry.
BQA programs have evolved to include best practices around good record keeping and protecting herd health, which can result in more profits for producers. When better quality cows leave the farm and reach the market place, the producer, packer, and consumer all benefit. When better quality beef reaches the supermarket, consumers are more confident in the beef they are buying, and this increases beef consumption.
The efforts of BQA across the nation have been instrumental in recent successes that continue to re-build and sustain beef demand. Through BQA programs, producers recognize the economic value of committing to quality beef production at every level - not just at the feedlot or packing plant, but within every segment of the cattle industry.
The guiding principles of BQA are based on these core beliefs
WE BELIEVE production practices affect consumer acceptance of beef.
WE BELIEVE the BQA Program has and must continue to empower beef producers to improve the safety and wholesomeness of beef.
WE BELIEVE these fundamental principles are the fabric of the BQA Program.
INDUSTRY VALUE
BQA does more than just help beef producers capture more value from their market cattle: BQA 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 of increased public attention on animal welfare. BQA is valuable to all beef and dairy producers because it:
Demonstrates commitment to food safety and quality.
Safeguards the public image of the dairy industry.
Upholds consumer confidence in valuable beef products.
Improves sale value of marketed beef cattle.
Enhances herd profitability through better management.
Beef Checkoff supported BQA programs bring it all together. While the BQA Manual provides a framework for program consistency, the states still determine the best programs for their producers.
GET YOUR BQA CERTIFICATE TODAY
Take the course online - available on-demand. Start and stop as you please. Estimated time is 2-3 hrs
www.BQA.org/beef-quality-assurance-certification