- Why should I be certified... ?
- Who is my BQA trainer... ?
- How do I become certified... ?
- How do I become re-certified... ?
- Why do I need a signature from a certified trainer... ?
- What should Animal Treatment Records include... ?
Why should I be certified in the Beef Quality Assurance Program?
[The Beef Quality Assurance program was developed for cattlemen by cattlemen. BQA is an educational program which encompasses daily production practices in beef cattle businesses that can impact the quality, safety and wholesomeness of the beef produced. Beef producers who chose to be BQA certified are demonstrating their commitment to the beef industry and the production of products consumers will have confidence in purchasing and consuming. BQA producers follow the quality assurance guidelines that also encompass FDA, EPA and USDA regulations]
Who is my BQA trainer?
[More than 200 food animal veterinarians and 15 livestock specialized extension educators are certified NC-BQA trainers. They have received training on BQA and are knowledgeable about the steps you need to follow in order to become a certified BQA producer. Therefore, ask your local veterinarian or extension educator if he or she is certified and spend some time visiting with them about BQA. If your local veterinarian is not certified, encourage them to do so by calling the Nebraska Cattlemen office at (402) 475-2333 or email us at bqa@necattlemen.org. If you are unable to locate a certified trainer near you, call the Nebraska Cattlemen office and we can assist you.]
How do I become certified?
[There are a two ways to become certified. One method is to attend a BQA training conducted in your area by a certified trainer or Nebraska Cattlemen. Trainings are held periodically at feedyards, veterinary clinics or town halls throughout the state and are a great way to learn the guidelines and standards of Beef Quality Assurance. Or you can request a BQA manual by calling the Nebraska Cattlemen office or dropping us an e-mail at bqa@necattlemen.org. You must review the manual in a self study format, complete the test and contract on pages 29-30. Then contact a certified trainer to sign your test/contract.]
How do I become re-certified?
[Nearing the end of the your certification period, you will receive paperwork from the Nebraska Cattlemen BQA program indicating that your certification is due to expire soon. By completing the paperwork you will be allowed to re-certify. Re-certification involves signing a new contract stating that you agree to follow the guidelines of the program. A certified trainer signature is required on the contract.]
Why do I need a signature from a certified trainer?
All certified trainers have attended a BQA Train the Trainer session and have been provided with the most recent BQA information that they can share with you. They have copies of the newest NC-BQA certification manual and understand the BQA issues that are important to you as a producer. As you obtain their signature, take the time to ask them questions you may have on BQA. In addition, certified trainers are NC’s link to you as producers. We can more easily provide updates and changes in the program to the 200 trainers who will then share that information with you in a timely fashion.]
What should Animal Treatment Records include?
Important points to remember about recordkeeping - Animal Treatment Records should include: Treatment date, Animal or group identification, Approximate weight of animal or group average, Product administered, Product lot/serial number, Earliest date the animal could clear withdrawal time, Dose given, Route of administration (SQ, IM, IV and oral), Location of injections, Name of person who administered the treatment. Feed Records should include: Date, Amount, Lot/batch number, Signatures of both the person who delivered the product and the person receiving the product.]