New Tools Simplify Beef Quality Assurance
“The BQA program will continue to develop resources that help producers raise healthy animals and produce the beef that consumers demand.”
Utica, NY (April 2025)— For more than 30 years the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has been driving continuous improvement using science-based production practices that assure cattle well-being, beef quality and safety. Currently, there are more than 500,000 BQA certifications, demonstrating the cattle industry’s commitment to animal welfare and beef quality. The program continues to adapt and develop new resources to guide producers on their BQA journey.
Spanish Language Materials
In response to producer feedback and requests, all BQA materials are in the process of being translated from English to Spanish, with additional Spanish video content to be used for training opportunities. Spanish BQA materials are available online at www.bqa.org/resources/recursos.
For the first time, a Stockmanship & Stewardship event will be conducted in Spanish, August 13-14 in Canyon, Texas. This unique training is designed for feedlot operators and employees. The agenda and registration information are available at www.stockmanshipandstewardship.org.
Continuing Education Credits Available for Recertification
Those who are BQA certified through in-person or online training are required to recertify every three years. Instead of undergoing the same foundational training, the BQA program has developed continuing education courses to provide a new educational experience for those who need to recertify. An individual must obtain three continuing education (CE) credits in a recertification period, which is any time after the initial certificate is earned until one year after the original course expires.
The BQA continuing education video course library includes a variety of topics such as biosecurity, stockmanship, herd health, and facility design. Producers can select courses that are of most interest to them to complete their three CE credits. For those who prefer in-person training, recertification is also available at many BQA events.
Updated National Manual & Field Guide
The updated BQA National Manual serves as a resource for science-based information on cattle production and is available for free at www.bqa.org/resources/manuals. It was developed to establish production standards for beef quality and safety that are suitable for an operation and that producers can realistically meet or exceed. In addition to being available online, the resource is also shared at the grassroots level through BQA state coordinators. An abbreviated “Field Guide” version of the manual will be available for cattle producers and on-farm/ranch workers in summer 2025.
The BQA program will continue to develop resources that help producers raise healthy animals and produce the beef that consumers demand. To become BQA certified and to learn more, visit www.bqa.org.
To learn more about New York Beef Council and Beef Checkoff-funded activities in New York, visit www.nybeef.org.
About the New York Beef Council:
The New York Beef Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information, and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit www.nybeef.org. About the Beef Checkoff: The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle and a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents of the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.