Cooperative Living June 2024 - 10

FARM LIFE
How's
The Beef?
Virginia Beef Quality
Assurance program
inspires confi dence
by Nicole Zema, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
A
s beef demand continues to
grow, cattle farmers want
consumers to expect quality
and confi dence in product safety,
humane practices and sustainability.
Farmers can produce the best beef
possible by expanding their production
knowledge, increasing consumer
confi dence and strengthening farm
profi tability through the Virginia Beef
Quality Assurance program.
A state division of the nationally
coordinated Beef Quality Assurance
program, and funded by Beef Checkoff s,
Virginia BQA certifi cation is earned at
no cost to farmers through live or online
training and testing, followed by chuteside
instruction. " Getting certifi ed
better ensures that beef will always be
one of the main protein sources on the
table, " says Lisa McCormick, Virginia
Beef Center of Excellence coordinator
at Virginia Tech, who works with
Virginia Cooperative Extension agents
More than 85% of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certifi ed farmers.
statewide to administer the Virginia
BQA program.
A TEACHING MOMENT
Educating beef producers, including
lifelong cattlemen, on the most trusted
techniques in herd and resource
management is still full of " a-ha "
moments. " I never knew how to do
that, " is one remark Phil Blevins hears
all the time. Th e Washington County
extension agent has been working
with farmers on best practices for 25
years. He coordinates regional training
sessions for growers seeking Virginia
BQA certifi cations or recertifi cations.
Level 1 Certifi cation is earned in a
classroom or online, with an overview
of the BQA manual and guidelines.
It focuses on the best management
practices certifi ed producers follow
- from feedstuff s and preventive
health programs to proper injection
site locations and recordkeeping.
Dr. John Haile, secretary-treasurer of
the Eastern Virginia Cattlemen's Association,
operates a cow-calf operation at Elton Farm
in Essex County.
Certifi cation is renewed every three
years. Level 2 Certifi cation requires
a hands-on, chute-side training and
cattle handling session, learning proper
vaccine administration, antibiotic
use and drug safety.
KEEP ON TRUCKING
Trucking prices are a major
disadvantage for small-scale beef
producers. Another BQA certifi cation
perk is that it allows farmers access to
the Virginia Quality Assurance cattle
transportation program. Feeder cattle
are graded and grouped into tractortrailer-size
lots from several farms to
maximize trailer space, which results
in improved trucking rates and a lower
carbon footprint, while minimizing
cattle stress. " Th ose without enough
cattle to market a load lot can sell
groups at the same time in load lots
of similar size, " says Brandon Reeves of
the Virginia Cattlemen's Association.
" And that brings a premium. "
CLASS IN SESSION
McCormick invites those wanting to
learn more about the sector to Virginia
Beef Cattle University July 14-16 at the
Virginia Tech Inn.
Th e event, sponsored in part by
the Virginia Cattle Industry Board,
will feature trade show vendors,
entertainment and education for youth
and adults. Topics include herd health,
marketing, nutrition and forages,
business management, reproduction,
and meat science.
*
Visit vabeefcattleu.com/registration
to learn more.
8 * Cooperative Living * June 2024
co-opliving.com
http://www.vabeefcattleu.com/registration http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living June 2024

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