Animal Health

Animal Health

FCA makes available numerous resources for education regarding animal health. Check back regularly; you will find these resources listed in the column at right.

 

Beef Quality Assurance and Certification  

 

What is BQA?

Nearly every state in the U.S. has an active BQA program. Funding for these efforts ranges from state-derived Beef Checkoff money to national Beef Checkoff support through the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. State-based activities are often enhanced through locally derived private and public grants.
State BQA programs are voluntary, locally led, and administered through organizations such as state beef councils, Land Grant Universities and state cattle associations.   BQA is not a “government” program. BQA links all beef producers with livestock production specialists, veterinarians, nutritionists, marketers and food purveyors interested in maintaining and improving the quality of cattle and the beef they produce.

Why Should I Get Certified?

The BQA program is designed to provide standards and practices for high-quality beef cattle production. These science-based protocols are coupled with day-to-day, common sense husbandry practices. BQA raises consumer confidence by demonstrating a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry — not just at the feedlot or packing plant.

 

How Can I Get Certified?

The Florida Cattlemen’s Association is proud to be working with Kansas State and their online testing service.  You can take the test here.

Which Test Should I Take?

The following BQA trainings are available.  See the descriptions below to see which fit your operation best.

Beef Quality Assurance - Comprehensive  [ 35 modules] - $25	The Beef Quality Assurance - Comprehensive package is designed to help producers reduce quality defects in beef products and address animal well-being and environmental concerns. Specific areas that will be covered include injection site management, proper record keeping systems, feedstuffs management, bio-security, medication use, environmental resource management and proper animal handling. The BQA program focuses on bringing together producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension specialists, and other professionals from veterinary medical associations and allied industries to promote production of safe, wholesome and nutritious beef.
Beef Quality Assurance - Cow-Calf Producer  [ 26 modules] - $25	The Beef Quality Assurance -Cow-Calf Producer package consists of the BQA material that relates directly to the cow-calf producers. Specific areas that will be covered include bio-security issues, proper record keeping systems, medication use, calf management, weaning and preconditioning and proper animal handling. The BQA program focuses on bringing together producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension specialists, and other professionals from veterinary medical associations and allied industries to promote production of safe, wholesome and nutritious beef.
Beef Quality Assurance - Feed Mill and Delivery Crew  [ 20 modules] - $25	The Beef Quality Assurance -Feed Mill and Delivery Crew package consists of the BQA material that relates directly to the feed mill and delivery crews. Specific areas that will be covered include HACCP, proper feeding and feedstuffs, proper record keeping systems, bio-security, medication use, OSHA and chemical residues and proper animal handling. The BQA program focuses on bringing together producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension specialists, and other professionals from veterinary medical associations and allied industries to promote production of safe, wholesome
Beef Quality Assurance - Processing and Doctor Crew   [ 22 modules] - $25	The Beef Quality Assurance - Processing and Doctoring Crew package consists of the BQA material that relates directly to the processing and doctoring crews. Specific areas that will be covered include injection site management, proper record keeping systems, bio-security, medication use, implants, parasite control and proper animal handling. The BQA program focuses on bringing together producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension specialists, and other professionals from veterinary medical associations and allied industries to promote production of safe, wholesome
Beef Quality Assurance - Stocker/Backgrounder  [ 27 modules] - $25	The Beef Quality Assurance -Stocker/Backgrounder package consists of the BQA material that relates directly to stockers and backgrounders. Specific areas that will be covered include bio-security issues, animal treatment, medication use, weaning and preconditioning and proper animal handling. The BQA program focuses on bringing together producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension specialists, and other professionals from veterinary medical associations and allied industries to promote production of safe, wholesome and nutritious beef.
DACQA –$25	The Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance - Comprehensive package is meant to assist dairy producers in producing quality dairy and beef products. This is accomplished through focusing on issues such as feedstuffs and nutritional management, injection site management, marketing and transportation, proper animal handling, treatment protocols, record keeping practices and care of non-ambulatory (downer) animals. DAQCA training equips dairy producers with the tools needed to practice quality animal care and food production.
LMA –$250	The Livestock Marketing Association training packages provide online training for all auction market employees in the area of animal handling in the auction market.

 

 

 

How Much Does it Cost?

It depends on which module you take but most Florida Beef Producers will take the Beef Quality Assurance Cow-Calf Producer for a fee of $25.  Dairymen $25 (DACQA) Livestock Marketing Association $250 a site license

 

What Computer and Internet Requirements Do I need?

You will need a computer that can access the internet.  While files are small, it is best to have a connection faster than dial-up of 56K.

 

How Long Does it Take to complete the certification?

Each module is an average of 10 minutes long and each package has a different number of modules.

 

How long is the Certification Good For?

The length of the BQA Certification depends on state.  Most certifications are good for two years.

 

Where can I find more BQA Information?

You can visit the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) web site for more helpful information. For further detailed information contact your Florida BQA coordinators:
Dr. Todd Thrift (tathrift@ufl.edu   352-392-8597),
Dr. Matt Hersom (Hersom@ufl.edu   352-392-2390), and
Dr. Max Irsik (irsikm@ulf.edu   352-294-4349).

 

Brought to you by:
America's Beef Producers through the Beef Check-Off

Florida Beef Council
P.O. Box 421929
Kissimmee, FL 347422-1929
Telephone 407-846-4557 Fax 407-933-8203