Beef Quality Assurance sessions in Iowa set for January 2025
12/23/24
AMES, Iowa – If you'll need to update your Beef Quality Assurance certification in January, Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have you covered with six events.
ISU extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said these BQA dates and locations are scheduled in various areas of the state and are for both initial certification and recertification. At the end of the meeting, all participants will become BQA certified.
BQA is required for everyone who sells cattle to Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Iowa Premium, as well as several other beef processors and some sale barns. Certification must be renewed every three years to maintain that sales eligibility.
"Please check for preregistration information for the site you want to attend," Schwab said. "Some sessions include a meal and having those numbers is important for planning. Also, the Jan. 20 program at Van Horne includes a BQAT session following the regular BQA portion."
- Jan. 15. 4 p.m. Warren Cultural Center - Auditorium, 154 Public Square, Greenfield. Please RSVP to 641-743-8412. Held in conjunction with Three-State Beef Conference.
- Jan. 20. 1 to 3 p.m. Cerro Gordo County Extension & Outreach, 601 S Illinois Ave, Mason City. Contact Sarah DeBour at 641-423-0844 or sdebour@iastate.edu.
- Jan. 20. 6 p.m. Thanks to the Benton County Cattlemen for helping sponsor a BQA and BQAT training at the Van Horne Community Center in Van Horne. A meal will be served at 6 p.m., with the training to start about 6:30 p.m. BQAT will follow the BQA certification. To register call Benton County Extension at 319-472-4739 or email Patti at upmeyer@iastate.edu.
- Jan. 23. 5 to 8 p.m. Grundy Center Community Center, 705 F Avenue, Grundy Center. Contact Brandy Bingman at 319-824-6979 or bbingman@iastate.edu.
- Jan. 24. BQA training will be offered following the Driftless Region Beef Conference starting at 1 p.m. at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque. No preregistration is required for this training.
- Jan. 27. 6 to 8 p.m. Lakin Center, 61321 315th Street, Malvern. Please RSVP to Mills County Extension at 712-624-8616.
Iowa’s BQA certification program utilizes industry partnerships to extend its reach across Iowa and is funded with beef checkoff dollars. The BQA program has helped inform industry representatives and beef producers about the latest management practices such as proper injection site techniques, recordkeeping practices, and new industry on-farm BQA Assessments; and helped consumers become more aware of the extra efforts taken by Iowa producers to deliver safe, wholesome beef.
For more information on BQA or any of these sessions, contact Schwab by email or call 319-721-9624.
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The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.
Contact:
Denise Schwab, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist, 319-721-9624, dschwab@iastate.edu
