Beef Quality Assurance meetings scheduled

BEDFORD, Ind. — The Beef Quality Assurance training and certification program will be offered at 11 sites in Indiana.

In partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Purdue Extension will host the events to provide producers with key industry insights and the option to complete their voluntary BQA certification.

The trainings and certification opportunities will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. ET Oct. 29 and Nov. 19 in the following locations:

Tuesday, Oct. 29

• Northern Indiana — Shipshewana Livestock Auction, 345 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Contact: Jeff Burbrink at 260-499-6334.

• Central Indiana — Johnson County Extension Office, 484 N. Morton St., Franklin. Contact: Shalee Bradley at 317-736-3724.

• Southern Indiana — Washington County Government Building, Meeting Room, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem. Contact: Danielle Walker at 812-883-4601.

• Southern Indiana — Southeast Purdue Ag Center, 4425 County Road 350 N, Butlerville. Contact: Jill Andrew-Richards at 812-438-3656.

• Southern Indiana — Warrick County 4-H Fairgrounds, 133 W. Degonia Road, Boonville. Contact: Amanda Mosiman at 812-897-6100.

Tuesday, Nov. 19

• Northern Indiana — Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, 17746-D County Road 34, Goshen. Contact: Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554.

• Central Indiana — Johnson County Extension Office, 484 N. Morton St., Franklin. Contact: Shalee Bradley at 317-736-3724.

• Southern Indiana — Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center, 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road, Dubois. Contact: Kenny Eck at 812-482-1782 or Molley Hasenour at 812-338-5466.

• Southern Indiana — Washington County Government Building, Meeting Room, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem. Contact: Danielle Walker at 812-883-4601.

• Southern Indiana — Southeast Purdue Ag Center, 4425 County Road 350 N, Butlerville. Contact: Jill Andrew-Richards at 812-438-3656.

• Southern Indiana — Lawrence County 4-H County Fairgrounds, 11261 U.S. Highway 50 West, Bedford. Contact: Kristen Rappold or Heidi Potter at 812-275-4623.

Presented by a team of Purdue Extension educators, the trainings will cover various topics, including minimizing carcass defects, improving animal health and well-being and meeting standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

BQA certification is a way to provide customers with the confidence that cattlemen are producing high-quality, safe and wholesome beef in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, said Nick Minton, Purdue beef systems specialist.

“Being BQA certified is an example of producers committing to properly care for their cattle through continued education,” he said.

Preregistration is highly encouraged to secure necessary accommodations. To RSVP, contact the designated county educator for more information.

Producers also have the option to complete their BQA certification online at www.bqa.org at their convenience. Certification completed at the events or online is valid for three years.

In addition, the Indiana Forage Council and Purdue Extension will host a virtual seminar covering forage quality online or in-person at viewing locations across the state from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 12. Get the details at Purdue.ag/hayquality, or call 765-494-4783.