Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a national program that provides guidelines for beef cattle production. The program raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
BQA certification in Tennessee is good for a two year period. If your certification has expired or if you have never been certified, County Extension Director Michael Barry will be offering some BQA certification classes at the UT Extension office in Smithville. The class lasts about an hour. The BQA fees are $15 if you are a member of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association. However, if you are not a member of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, the cost is $30. And there is only one discounted BQA per TCA membership.
In addition to learning practices which are designed to help improve individual operations, increase profits and raise the overall quality of livestock and management practices in the state, BQA certification is also required to participate in the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Ag Enhancement programs.
Producers have embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do; but they have also gained through increased profitability. As an educating program, BQA helps producers identify management processes that can be improved.
BQA classes will be offered on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. The classes will be at the new UT Extension office location at 722 South Congress Boulevard, across the road from Food Lion. If you would like to register to attend one of the classes or have any questions, give me a call at the Extension office at 597-4945.
Archived News & Obituaries