Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association sponsors BQCA Certification in March and September.
The Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky are pleased to announce that the Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association will be sponsoring the enrollment costs for Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certification in March 2022 and September 2022.
The Kentucky BQCA program takes national BQA practices one step further to provide a holistic program for Kentucky producers, by adding cattle handling and animal care component to the training models. Educational modules provide the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being, in addition to training on the core principles of BQA.
The cost of BQCA enrollment is $5 for in person training through their local county extension office and $10 for online training, however from March 1- 31, 2022 and September 1-30, 2022 the Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association will be sponsoring the enrollment costs, making it free for producers.
Cattle producers can also look forward to free hands-on chute side training March 24, 2022 at Blue Grass Stockyards in Lexington and September 13, 2022 at Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market in Guthrie. More details can be found at www.kybeefnetwork.com or producers can register by emailing kbn@kycattle.org or calling (859)-278-0899.
“We are proud to be a part of giving back to our customers and helping them improve our beef product, continuing the success and progress made through the BQCA program is vital to the future of the entire industry," stated Steve Sterchi, Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association President.
Producers interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can visit www.kybeefnetwork.com for access to the online training platform or contact their county extension office for training opportunities. “We are very excited for this partnership for our Kentucky cattlemen to continue to tell their story to consumers through sound management practices,” says Kevin Laurent University of Kentucky Co-BQCA Coordinator.
The Kentucky Beef Network and University of Kentucky merged their Cattle Handling and Care Program with the National BQA program to create a new program, aptly named the Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) program. This program was implemented to raise awareness of practices that ensure the proper handling and welfare of cattle while keeping farmers safe and continuing to supply healthy beef to consumers. In turn, this program enables beef and dairy producers to enhance their product, maximize marketability and strengthen consumer confidence. Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association has member livestock markets throughout Kentucky dedicated to supporting, representing, and communication with and for the livestock marketing sector.