“Ron Gill, Extension livestock specialist at Dallas, and Dr. Buddy Faries,
Extension program leader in veterinary
medicine, will be on hand to explain how the Texas Beef Quality Assurance
system works,” said Brandon
Anderson, Haskell County Extension agent-agriculture. “The meeting
will begin at 6 p.m., in the Haskell County
Memorial Civic Center. There is no charge to attend, and a meal will
be provided.”
The Haskell County Extension Agriculture Committee and Haskell Veterinary
Clinic are sponsoring this event,
with help from Fort Dodge Animal Health and Hi Pro Animal Health, Anderson
noted.
The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) system was created 10 years ago by
the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
(NCBA) to maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef products.
The system combines science,
research and education to teach production methods that enable cattlemen
to focus on quality from
“the range to the table.”
A united effort by state cattlemen's associations, beef councils, the
Extension service, animal scientists,
veterinarians, feed and animal health companies, packers, and retailers
helps ensure that beef producers have
access to BQA information. This information focuses on environmental
management, record keeping, safe use of
animal health products and sampling procedures for feed and feed ingredients.
Ninety-eight percent of cattle going
through feedlots, and 90 percent of cattle on farms and ranches today
are from states with BQA programs.
The Texas Beef Quality Producer program – sponsored by the Texas and
Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association,
Texas Beef Council, Texas Agricultural Extension Service and Texas
Veterinary Medical Association – provides
BQA education and certification for Texas cattle producers. This program
helps producers develop their own
customized BQA management plan, as well as records that document essential
management procedures and
support sound business decisions.
Gill and Faries were instrumental in developing this educational program in Texas.
“If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP by calling the Haskell
County Vet Clinic
(940-864-3496) by Feb. 28 -- so we can plan accordingly,” Anderson
added. “Those who attend can earn two
general Continuing Education Units (CEUs). If you need more information
about the meeting or BQA, feel free to
call me at the Haskell County Extension office (940-864-2658).”