Nebraska Extension will host a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) training April 13 at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte. The event begins at 4 p.m. CT and is open to anyone involved in raising or handling cattle.
Funded by the Beef Checkoff, the BQA program equips producers with science-based best practices that support cattle well-being, beef quality and food safety.
“This training is part of a nationwide effort to equip beef cattle producers with the tools and knowledge needed to raise safe, high-quality beef,” said Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead, Nebraska BQA director. “Nebraska is proud to offer this program to support producers across our state.”
Participants will have the opportunity to become BQA and BQAT certified during the training. Certification is valid for three years. Trainings are offered in both English and Spanish to ensure accessibility for all producers. Those who last completed certification prior to April 2023 are encouraged to renew.
Through BQA, Nebraska Extension connects producers with the latest research, animal care techniques and management strategies. Certification helps strengthen consumer confidence in beef, improve herd performance and profitability, and reinforce the industry’s commitment to responsible stewardship.
“BQA empowers beef producers to maximize efficiency while responsibly using natural resources to produce one of the world’s most nutritious and high-quality protein sources,” said Dr. Clay Mathis, Texas A&M University professor and BQA Advisory Group chair.
Registration is $20 per person or $100 for operations registering five or more attendees. To register, visit https://bqa.unl.edu/events, email nebraskabqa@unl.edu or call 308-633-0158.
About the Beef Checkoff
The Beef Checkoff, established through the 1985 Farm Bill, assesses $1 per head on the sale of live cattle in the United States, as well as on imported cattle, beef and beef products. Up to 50 cents of each dollar collected is retained by the state, with the remainder supporting national research and promotion efforts administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board under U.S. Department of Agriculture oversight.
