KHBT — The Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension are cooperating with the Iowa Beef Industry Council to help educate and certify producers in the Beef Quality Assurance program. Two training and certification sessions will be held on Jan. 30th and 31st in the North Central Iowa area. On Wed, Jan. 30 from 1-3 pm a session will be held at the Hamilton County Extension office at 311 Bank Street in Webster City and on Thursday Jan. 31 a session will be held at the 4H Learning Center on the North Iowa Fairgrounds at 3700 4th St SW in Mason City. Please RSVP for the sessions by contacting Russ Euken ISU Extension Livestock Specialist at 641-923-2856 by Tuesday Jan. 29. A minimum of five participants are needed to hold a class.
BQA is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that raises consumer confidence through assuring proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
BQA certification is increasingly being encouraged, and in some cases required, by market outlets for finishing cattle and this expected to increase. BQA is a voluntary program and the Iowa BQA Program is funded by the IBIC and the Beef Checkoff.
Other sessions are scheduled in the state as well, check the IBIC website at iabeef.org for Iowa BQA Program and other upcoming certification trainings in your area. BQA certification is also offered online at the national level, which can be accessed at BQA.org.