Source: Melissa Runck, Extension Educator – Beef Production Systems, University of Minnesota Extension, (507) 372-3900 ext. 3904, mkrunck@umn.edu University of Minnesota Extension will host Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) trainings both in-person and virtually in the spring of 2025. Producers attending any of the free workshops will receive a three-year BQA certification.
In the past, beef producers have been asked to complete the BQA program to market cattle to certain processors. However, BQA certification is still voluntary. Specific companies have chosen to extend their own quality assurance protocol requirements to cattle producers who are a part of their supply chain. BQA certification is now being required by many major industry buyers and processors.
Upcoming BQA trainings that will be offered in 2025 include:
•Virtual February Zoom training: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. oLink to register: https://z. umn.edu/BQAFeb13
• In-Person February training: Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., *or immediately following the Special Feeder Calf Auction* oLocation: Pipestone Livestock Auction Market oAddress: 1500 7th Street SE Pipestone, MN 56164
•Virtual March Zoom training: Thursday, March 20, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. oLink to register: https://z. umn.edu/BQAMarch20 All BQA trainings are free to attend, but attendees must preregister online at the correct link, or by calling the Pipestone County Extension Office at 507-825-1190.
About the ONLINE Zoom trainings: Pre-registration is required for these trainings. You will not be able to access the Zoom meeting room without first pre-registering and receiving the secure Zoom link.
Note: Online BQA training at www.bqa.org is available to anyone, at any time. These online, self-paced modules that are free to complete. There will be in-person BQA trainings scheduled; please check the UMN BQA website at https:// extension.umn.edu/coursesand- events/beef-quality-assurance for more information, as meeting location details will be added here once events are scheduled. All available BQA training options can be found at the Minnesota Beef Council website: https://mnbeef.org/ about-us/upcoming-events.
If you have any questions about accessing the in-person or online BQA trainings or have questions regarding your BQA status expiration, please contact the Extension Office.
