Beef Quality Assurance Sessions in Iowa Set for January 2025

By Denise Schwab

If you'll need to update your Beef Quality Assurance certification in January, Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have you covered with six events.

ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist Denise Schwab said these BQA dates and locations are scheduled in various areas of the state and are for both initial certification and recertification. At the end of the meeting, all participants will become BQA certified.

BQA is required for everyone who sells cattle to Tyson Foods, Cargill and Iowa Premium, as well as several other beef processors and some sale barns. Certification must be renewed every three years to maintain that sales eligibility.

"Please check for preregistration information for the site you want to attend," Schwab said. "Some sessions include a meal and having those numbers is important for planning. Also, the Jan. 20 program at Van Horne includes a BQAT session following the regular BQA portion."

• Jan. 15, 4 p.m.: Warren Cultural Center - Auditorium, 154 Public Square, Greenfield. Please RSVP to 641-743-8412. Held in conjunction with Three-State Beef Conference.
• Jan. 20, 1-3 p.m.: ISU Extension and Outreach Cerro Gordo County, 601 S Illinois Ave, Mason City. Contact Sarah DeBour at 641-423-0844 or sdebour@iastate.edu.
• Jan. 20, 6 p.m.: Thanks to the Benton County Cattlemen for helping sponsor a BQA and BQAT training at the Van Horne Community Center in Van Horne. A meal will be served at 6 p.m., with the training to start about 6:30 p.m. BQAT will follow the BQA certification. To register call ISU Extension and Outreach Benton County at 319-472-4739 or email Patti at upmeyer@iastate.edu.
• Jan. 23, 5-8 p.m.: Grundy Center Community Center, 705 F Avenue, Grundy Center. Contact Brandy Bingman at 319-824-6979 or bbingman@iastate.edu.
• Jan. 24: BQA training will be offered following the Driftless Region Beef Conference starting at 1 p.m. at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque. No preregistration is required for this training.
• Jan. 27, 6-8 p.m.: Lakin Center, 61321 315th Street, Malvern. Please RSVP to ISU Extension and Outreach Mills County at 712-624-8616.

Iowa’s BQA certification program utilizes industry partnerships to extend its reach across Iowa and is funded with beef checkoff dollars. The BQA program has helped inform industry representatives and beef producers about the latest management practices such as proper injection site techniques, recordkeeping practices, and new industry on-farm BQA Assessments; and helped consumers become more aware of the extra efforts taken by Iowa producers to deliver safe, wholesome beef.