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Beef Quality Assurance Program Update

Beef Quality Assurance Program Update
Dr. Christine Navarre cnavarre@agcenter.lsu.edu
What is BQA?
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program. The program provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers, and beef consumers, on how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. The program raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry and its beef products.
The BQA program is a cooperative effort between beef producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension staff, and other professionals. BQA programs include best practices which can result in more profits for producers. Through BQA programs, producers recognize the economic value of committing to quality beef production at every level - not just at the feedlot or packing plant, but within every segment of the cattle industry. When better quality cattle
leave the farm and reach the market place, the producer, packer, and consumer all benefit. When better quality beef reaches the supermarket, consumers are more confident in the beef they are buying, which increases beef consumption.
BQA's Value to the Beef Industry
BQA has helped beef producers capture more value from their cattle and enhance herd profitability through better management. Also, BQA has helped project a positive public image and improved consumer confidence in the beef industry. This has become increasingly more important because of increased public attention to animal welfare. BQA has been instrumental in re-building and maintaining beef demand and provided cattlemen an important tool in
avoiding additional government regulation.
Louisiana BQA Program
Because of the diverse nature of the beef industry, each state is allowed to tailor the BQA program to its unique needs. However, accountability of the beef industry is becoming increasingly important. Since each state has its own program, it is difficult to account for the quality and consistency of the programs from state to state, or account for the total number of producers certified across the United States. Having accountability of quality and producer
buy-in on a national basis would make it easier for beef industry leaders to assure consumer confidence. In other words, quality assurance for the quality assurance program would be beneficial to beef producers. For this reason, a new and more comprehensive national program was adopted for states to use if they so choose.
Like many states, Louisiana has had its own BQA program based on the national guidelines. After considering many options, Louisiana has decided to adopt the new, more comprehensive national program. This program allows Louisiana producers to join ranks with producers from across the U.S. to guarantee accountability and quality training of the entire beef industry.
BQA certification meetings will be scheduled in regions throughout the state each year. Certification of producers through these meetings will be free of charge. Producers also may get certified individually, either online or by CDrom (individual producer certification is $25). Please contact the Louisiana BQA coordinator for more information: Dr. Christine Navarre
cnavarre@agcenter.lsu.edu