Beef Quality Assurance Training Scheduled

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (May 17, 2017) - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that provides training to beef and dairy cattle producers in food safety, proper cattle handling techniques, handling of animal health products, injection sites, and record keeping. The goal of this program is to maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef by focusing the producer’s attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of beef and beef products. This BQA Program is being sponsored by the New York State Beef Producer’s Association, in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.

BQA in a Day training will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, in Cattaraugus County. The program will begin at the Mansfield Fire Hall, 7960 S Maples Road, Little Valley, NY at 9:00 am with the classroom training and continue after lunch with the hands-on Chute Side Training hosted by Williams Ranch and Cattle, Jeff and Vicky Williams, 7860 Maples Road, Little Valley, NY. Dr. Shannon Carpenter, Veterinarian with the NYS Department of Ag & Markets, will teach this Beef Quality Assurance program.

The cost for the training for the first person from a farm is $25 which will include the program, BQA manual and lunch, and $15 for each additional person from the same farm. If you already have a BQA manual, the cost is $15 each for the program and lunch. The cost for youth is $8 to cover lunch. This educational program is open to anyone involved in the beef and dairy industry, including 4-H youth. Youth 14 years old and above can participate in this training and receive their BQA certification. Youth under 14 years of age are welcome to attend the training, but cannot receive the formal BQA certificate.

By attending this BQA training, a producer will receive Level 1 Certification. After signing a Veterinarian Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR), a producer will be Level 2 Certified. The producer then has the opportunity to purchase a farm sign verifying the BQA certification. To maintain the BQA certification, producers should attend a training every three years. The Beef Quality Assurance Program is supported by the Beef Checkoff. Pre -registration and payment for this BQA program is required by Wednesday, June 7, 2017 by sending names of participants and a check payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension and mail to CCE, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, NY 14731.

Please contact Jeff or Vicky Williams at williamsranchandcattle@outlook.com or 716-257-9176; Ted Card at lvg1259@netsync.net or 716-664-3339; or Lisa Kempisty, Extension Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County at ljk4@cornell.edu, or 716-664-9502 Ext 203, if you need more information or have any questions.

We look forward to having beef and dairy producers attend this important educational program to learn more to ensure the safety and quality of the beef we produce and market.

The BQA Training is one of the many Agricultural educational programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated May 17, 2017