News Update
August 28, 2014
Free BQA Certifications
from Sept. 1-Oct. 31
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification gives producers tools to provide the safest and highest quality beef to consumers.
For the third time, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) is supporting the checkoff-funded BQA program by sponsoring all online certifications this fall for producers who enroll from Sept. 1-Oct. 31.
BIVI will pick up the $25-$50 certification fee for beef or dairy producers who are interested in becoming certified or recertified during this period. Visit www.BQA.org/team to take advantage of the open certification period.
The BQA program is important to the cattle industry as it gives producers a set of best practices for producing a safe and high-quality beef product. For dairy producers, this offering is also beneficial as a large percentage of dairy calves and market cows make their way into the food chain.
The BQA certification modules are customized to fit the specific needs of each segment of the cattle industry — cow-calf, stocker, feedyard and dairy operations. The program covers best management practices such as proper handling and administration of vaccinations and other products, eliminating injection site blemishes, and better cattle-handling principles.
“One of the challenges that beef producers face is having all of their employees become BQA-certified,” says Jerry Woodruff, professional services veterinarian with BIVI. “Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s partnership with BQA helps offset some of those expenses, and we encourage producers and their employees to use the web-based training programs.”
More than 11,000 producers have taken advantage of BIVI’s BQA certification partnership. BIVI’s partnership also includes financial support of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University, which developed the certification module.
To become BQA certified, or learn more about the program, visit www.BQA.org/team.
To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
NIAA Announces Keynote Speaker
for Antibiotic Symposium, Nov. 12-14
The Antibiotic Use and Resistance Symposium hosted by the National Institute of Animal Agriculture (NIAA) in November will feature keynote speaker Lonnie King, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Ohio State University (OSU). King is professor in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and holds the Ruth Stanton Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine. He also serves as the executive dean for the seven health science colleges at OSU. King is a former administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA, in Washington, D.C.
King says of this year’s theme, “Moving Forward through Shared Stewardship,” “Stewardship is an opportunity to change the conversation on ABX (antibiotic resistance) and forge new relationships between animal and human health.” King’s keynote address is titled “Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance Through Integration and Stewardship: A New Call To Action.”
The symposium will be hosted in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 12-14, 2014. Full registration is $425, but NIAA members receive a $75 discount. Individual day registrations are available: Nov. 12 (½ day only) — $150; Nov. 13 (full day only) — $250; Nov. 14 (½ day only) — $150. Student registration is $50 per day (must present student ID at check-in.)
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Wilson County Beef Cattle Program Slated
for Sept. 17 in Floresville
The Wilson County Fall Beef Cattle Educational Program has been set for the evening of Sept. 17 at the Wilson County Show Barn, 435 U.S. Highway 97 East in Floresville.
The program is free and presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Wilson County Farm Bureau.
“This educational program will address many of the key issues associated with the future of the cattle industry and recovery from the extensive depopulation of herds locally and in other parts of the state due to the lingering drought,” said Bryan Davis, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Wilson County.
Registration will be from 6-6:30 p.m., followed by a short welcome and presentations to begin at 6:40 p.m.
The first presentation will be “Beef 2025: The Next 10 Years,” by Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Uvalde.
The second presentation will be “Stocking Rate: The Key to Grazing Distribution and Forage Preference,” by Robert Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.
The program will conclude at about 8:45 p.m.
One Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit will be offered in the general category.
Attendees are asked to RSVP by Sept. 16 to the Wilson County Farm Bureau Office at 830-393-2481 or the AgriLife Extension office for Wilson County at 830-393-7357.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
NDSA to Host Inaugural Tomorrow’s
Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) is now accepting registrations for its inaugural Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit set for Oct. 16-18, during Teacher’s Convention, at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, N.D. The event is designed to help students, ages 16-20 years old, develop leadership skills and make connections that will serve them in their personal and professional lives.
“The NDSA offers an array of educational youth activities throughout the year; however, we wanted to expand our offering to fit anybody interested in the beef industry, whether they show cattle or simply enjoy beef as a healthy source of lean protein,” explained NDSA Special Projects Director Laiken Steckler, who is organizing the event.
Thursday, Oct. 16
The conference kicks off Thursday, Oct. 16, with Kevin Oschner, host of the TV show Cattlemen to Cattlemen, who will provide two keynote addresses over the weekend. He will discuss the need and potential for leadership in agriculture and the relationship of that leadership with the major trends in the beef industry. Trent Engquist of the North Dakota National Guard will lead the Low Ropes course.
Friday, Oct. 17
On Friday, Oct. 17, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension personnel Rachelle Vettern and Dean Aakre will lead “Real Colors,” an interactive workshop designed to explore individual personality traits and how these traits impact work and relationships. Next, NDSU Career Center representative Kate Nelson will discuss what it means to be a prepared professional. Friday afternoon will be spent touring various facilities on the NDSU campus, including a hands-on meat cutout lab where participants will gain a better understanding of what it means for cattle to go “from pasture to plate.” The day will conclude with a fun adventure to Acres of Terror in Leonard, N.D.
Saturday, Oct. 18
The final day begins with ag advocacy training led by agricultural spokeswomen and bloggers Sarah Wilson and Katie Pinke, who will teach conference participants how to advocate for the beef industry and agriculture in general. As for the conference finale, professional speakers Robin Faulkner and Mike Nichols will explain “The Fifth Dimension,” and how individuals can positively affect the larger beef community and world.
The cost to attend is $150 for NDSA student members or $170 for non-members. Registration fees include lodging, meals, programming, transportation and a conference t-shirt. Registrations and registration fees are due in the NDSA office by Sept. 22. On-site registrations will not be accepted. Registration forms are available online at www.ndstockmen.org or by calling the NDSA office at 701-223-2522.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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