Beginning Jan. 1, several packing plants will only purchase fed cattle from BQA (or Beef Quality Assurance) certified feedlots. It is clear that consumers feel confident in the Beef Quality Assurance program and have driven this change. While further education though BQA always helps the beef industry, we do not want some of our producers to be caught off guard. Online certification is always an option, however, some producers still prefer and in-person meeting.

The Kansas Beef Council has planned and is offering a two night in-person training (and via online through zoom). This will give us the opportunity to reach multiple locations in a short amount of time to ensure producers that need BQA certification by the end of the year will have it. 

The current dates that the KBC and KLA have set up are: 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Meridian Center in Newton (In-Person), Zoom meeting at the same time in Emporia (Hosted by KLA staff); 7 p.m. on Nov. 7, at the High School in Washington (In-Person), Zoom meeting at the same time offered in Oberlin (Hosted by KLA staff)

If there is interest, I would be happy to host a Zoom meeting on Nov. 7, at the Great Bend Extension Office at 7 p.m. There would be no charge for this, but I do need RSVP’s to see if there is enough interest for the remote location to be held.  Call 620-793-1910 or e-mail me at aboor@ksu.edu to register by Monday Nov. 5, for this meeting.

Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.