Melissa Runck, U of M Extension, (507) 836-1143, mkrunck@umn.edu
The University of Minnesota Extension, along with Minnesota Beef Council, will host an in-person Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training session in Pipestone, Minnesota. Producers attending this free workshop will receive their threeyear BQA certification.
Over the past three years, beef producers have been asked to complete the BQA program in order to market their cattle to certain processors. However, BQA certification is still voluntary. Specific companies have chosen to extend their own quality assurance protocol requirements to producers who are a part of their supply chain. A BQA certification is being required by many major industry buyers and processors. When a producer does not have current BQA certification the result is that many packers and feedlots simply cannot purchase those cattle because their company cannot source cattle from a producer who does not meet their certification requirements.
Producers will have the option to complete the in-person training on Thursday, November 11 at 3:00 p.m. in the sale arena of Pipestone Livestock Auction Market. *Note: if the Special Feeder Calf sale is still going at 3:00 p.m., the training will start immediately following the conclusion of the sale. The address for the sale barn is: 1500 7th St SE, Pipestone, MN 56164.
The one and a half hour training is free to attend, but attendees must pre-register by calling the Pipestone County Extension Office at 507-825-1190, or by emailing mkrunck@umn. edu. Only one person from each operation is required to be certified to ensure the entire operation follows the BQA standards. However, everyone who handles and manages fed cattle is encouraged to become BQA certified.
Social distancing guidelines will be followed for the in-person training; attendees are encouraged to wear a mask when social distancing cannot be adhered to, and there will be no food or drink served at this event.
For those who would prefer to complete the Beef Quality Certification online through Zoom, the following training options will be available starting in November through March.
Register for online BQA training using the specific link for the training you wish to attend (note: you only need to attend one training to become certified):
• Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.: z.umn.edu/BQANov18
• Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.: z.umn.edu/BQA-Jan6
• Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.: z.umn.edu/BQA-March3
About the ONLINE Zoom trainings: Pre-registration is required. You will not be able to access the Zoom meeting room without first pre-registering and receiving the secure Zoom link and passcode from Extension staff. The one and a half hour training and certification session is free. Certification is good for three years.
Families can view the training on the same computer/mobile device, and all viewers will receive credit for certification. At the time of entering the Zoom webinar you will be instructed to enter the registration code of all participants viewing the webinar from your computer/mobile device, and only those whose registration code is submitted during the time of the webinar will receive credit for completing the online certification.
If you have any questions about accessing either the inperson or online BQA trainings, or have questions regarding your BQA status expiration, please do not hesitate to contact the Extension Office.
