Beef Quality Assurance trainings set to help producers renew or earn certification

Marshall County Extension Educator Robert Yoder released details on a program that cattle producers need to be certified in to be able to sell beef.

A series of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training sessions will take place throughout Indiana to help producers either renew or earn a certification, good for three years, which has become a requirement among major industry buyers.

The two and a half hour training and certification sessions are free. Only one person from each operation is required to be certified to ensure the entire operation follows BQA standards. However, everyone who handles and manages fed cattle is encouraged to become BQA certified.

Those unable to attend a session can also earn the certification online at www.BQA.org.

Producers only need to attend one meeting to become certified. Dates, local times, locations and contacts to RSVP for the 2021 upcoming training and certification sessions are listed below.  When RSVPing, please communicate which location, date, number of people attending and contact phone number you wish to attend.

Locations for in person meetings for Northern Indiana beef producers.

* Nov. 2 (6:30-9:00 p.m.) and Nov. 9 (6:30-9:00 p.m.). Fulton County Extension Office, 1009 W. Third St., Rochester. Mark Kepler (RSVP to Purdue Extension, 574-223-3397) and Ron Lemenager (Purdue Extension, 765-427-5972).

* Nov. 16 (6:30-9:00 p.m.).  Creighton Hall – Purdue Campus, Dept. of AnSc, Rm 1042, 270 S Russell St, West Lafayette, IN 47907.  Ron Lemenager (RSVP to Purdue Extension, 765-427-5972).

For general BQA questions please contact Ron Lemenager (Purdue Extension, 765-427-5972) or

Nick Minton (Purdue Extension, 812-279-4330).

BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that provides information to beef producers and consumers on how common sense husbandry techniques can be paired with scientific knowledge to raise cattle. Its programs include best practices around ensuring end-product safety and wholesomeness, protecting herd health and animal well-being, and good recordkeeping.