By attending one evening of in-person training, farmers become certified in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). BQA, a voluntary national program, is now offered in east-central Missouri.

The Sept. 16 training starts at 6:30 p.m. with University of Missouri (MU) Extension veterinarian Craig Payne teaching food safety and quality cattle practices.

“Beef quality assurance should be a staple in beef farm management,” says Kendra Graham, MU livestock specialist in Farmington.

While BQA isn’t legally mandated, it provides practical help on best management for the cattle industry, she says.

Most producers know that Tyson, National Beef, U.S. Premium Beef and Cargill now require cattle suppliers to be BQA-certified. “While this doesn’t impact cow-calf farmers, we encourage them to be certified,” says Payne.

The session is in North College Center at Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills.

The meeting is free, but advance sign-up is required. To enroll, call MU Extension in St. Francois County at 573-756-4539 or email Graham at grahamkk@missouri.edu.

Graham works with farmers in eight area counties: Franklin, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington and Wayne.

Source: University of Missouri Extension.