The initial concept of Tennessee’s BQA program will center around using live cattle in a hands on workshop. Producers can learn about the vital importance of injection site selection, proper injection techniques and see the results of improper injection techniques. Record keeping will be stressed because it helps producers track their costs and also provides a documented paper trail to prove to your buyers what treatments your calves have had. Proper cattle handling to reduce stress and bruises will also be emphasized.
BQA Certification. The reason we are offering BQA Certification is simple. Many buyers of feeder cattle are seeking out BQA Certified, source verified calves. As a matter of fact, with some of the most highly regarded branded beef product lines, such as Nebraska Corn Fed Beef, the only cattle eligible for enrollment are BQA Certified calves. By establishing the BQA Certified program here, we are opening up a market outlet for those progressive cattlemen who become "Certified".
Funding for the Beef Quality Assurance Program was provided, in part, by a grant from the Tennessee Beef Industry Council. 
 
Many beef producers need to complete their Beef Quality Assurance training to be eligible for upcoming state cost share grants.

If you've never received the BQA training or your BQA card has expired you should make an appointment with Richard Groce at rgroce@utk.edu or call (931)375-5301 the Maury County Extension office. After completing the class and passing the test you can be certified as a BQA producer for a two year period.
 
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