Beef Quality Assurance

By Larisa Willrett

 

 

Anne Burkholder has found a niche for her feedyard and with it has come success and recognition for her vision and hard work. Burkholder, co-owner and head cowboy at Will Feed Inc., Cozad, was recognized with the 2009 Beef Quality Assurance Award, sponsored by the Beef Checkoff Program, Safeway and Cargill.

Wearing many hats at the feedyard, including feeding foreman, environmental steward and marketing manager, has provided Burkholder with excellent on-the-job training for her ultimate role as customer service manager. Burkholder offers her feedyard customers ranch-to-rail data and insight by tracking their calves through the feedyard and into the packing plant. Because she also heads the processing team and takes down weight and tag data while vaccinating, she can follow the calves’ gain individually through the feedyard, then compile carcass data to complement the feedyard performance.

“Will Feed Inc., is very focused on implementing BQA in every aspect of the feedyard,” Burkholder says. “I ask that my veterinarian, pharmaceutical reps, nutritionist and anyone else contributing to the operation are BQA certified.

“I work with the transporters of the livestock coming in and going out of the feedyard to ensure proper cattle handling techniques and I also make sure that they are aware of the Transportation Quality Assurance (TQA) program that is available,” explains Burkholder. “I also have monthly crew meetings to discuss our Treatment Protocol Book and other BQA issues.”

The efforts of producers like Burkholder don’t go unnoticed further down the production chain. “BQA helps assure that, thanks to quality animals, we’re able to operate at the highest levels in our plants,” says Ken Bull, vice president of cattle procurement at Cargill. “It’s a system-wide devotion that consistently assures the best beef for the tables of consumers throughout the United States.”

According to Drew Gaffney, NC BQA coordinator and award nominator, Burkholder has played a vital role in the development of Nebraska’s BQA Program. “Anne has been a driving force and key spokesperson for the Nebraska Cattlemen and the state’s BQA program,” Gaffney says. “Anne has been very instrumental in producing and promoting BQA meetings throughout the state.”

In 2007, Burkholder and Gaffney teamed up to develop Nebraska’s first BQA cattle auction, held at the North Platte Livestock Auction Market. Since then three more BQA sales have been conducted.

“Anne has proven time and again that she is more than deserving of this award,” Gaffney says. Y By Larisa Willrett, NC contributing writer.

 

Graphics Used:

Caption: Sign at the entrance of Will Feed Inc., designating its status as a BQA-certified feedyard. Practices like this are part of why Burkholder was recognized with the 2009 BQA Award.

 

 

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