Programs
BQA is proud to partner with all cattle industry sectors to improve communication and continuity across quality assurance programs. This ensures that cattle raised in the U.S. are provided best management practices for all parts of the animal’s life, including cow-calf, calf raiser, stocker/backgrounder, feedlot, and transportation sectors.
BQA TRANSPORTATION
The proper handling and transport of cattle can reduce sickness in calves, prevent bruises, and improve the quality of the meat from these animals.
Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA)
The Calf Care & Quality Assurance (CCQA) program provides calf raisers key management practices and training resources which assures consumers that all cattle raised at a calf raising facility are healthy and well cared for. CCQA was created in collaboration with BQA, the National Dairy FARM program, Veal Quality Assurance, and the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association.
STOCKMANSHIP & STEWARDSHIP
Stockmanship & Stewardship is a unique two-day educational experience featuring live cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance educational sessions, and industry updates covering a wide array of topics. By attending a Stockmanship & Stewardship event you will have the opportunity to get BQA certified, network with your fellow producer, and learn best management practices that you can adapt to your own operation.
National Dairy FARM Program
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program works with dairy producers, cooperatives, processors and industry partners to demonstrate the highest care standards on U.S. dairy farms. BQA and FARM’s partnership ensures BQA equivalency to all dairy producers who are FARM certified.
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8 to 21. This program focuses on three core pillars of food safety, animal well-being, and character development. YQCA is available online and as an instructor-led training. The goal of YQCA is to enhance the future of the livestock industry by educating youth so they can become more informed producers, consumers, and/or employees in the agriculture and food industry.
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.
While state BQA programs chart their own direction, program assistance and national leadership is provided by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The Joint Producer Education Committee continually updates a set of recommended national BQA guidelines from which states can base their BQA programs.
BQA principles are based on good management practices (GMP) that are standard operating procedures (SOP) designed to meet the United States food production system's needs.
BQA programming focuses on educating and training cattle producers, farm advisors, and veterinarians on the issues in cattle food safety and quality. It also provides tools for verifying and documenting animal husbandry practices.