Page 19 - MWC 04-22-2021s

Why Should You Become BQA Certified?
By Jesse Fulton, Extension Educator, of bruising present on the
Director of Nebraska Beef Quality As-
surance carcass. In the most recent
2016 NBQA, the presence of
Let’s talk about what the critical and extreme bruis-
BQA program has done to ing was below 2% and 1%,
benefit the industry, and why respectively. This decline of
it is important for producers critical and extreme carcass
to implement its guidelines bruising in the beef industry
on their operations. can be attributed to the BQA
So, what exactly has the program focusing education
Beef Checkoff funded BQA content on low stress cattle
program accomplished for handling and proper stock-
the industry? To answer this manship principles.
question, we need to look at These are just two exam-
data from past National Beef ples of how the BQA program
Quality Audits (NBQA), past has worked to resolve issues
injection site frequency re- that have and continue to
search, and past consumer have a financial impact on
market research. the beef industry. It is esti-
The BQA program has mated that in 2016 carcass
made great strides in the re- bruising cost the fed cattle
duction of violative residues industry over $62 million
and injection site lesions and $2.42 million due to in-
observed at beef packing jection site lesions. Through
plants. This is due to edu- the implementation of BQA
cating producers on proper guidelines and good stock-
record-keeping practices to manship principles on their
prevent the marketing of operations, cattle producers
animals that have not yet are doing their part to reduce
cleared withdrawal periods, these previously mentioned
and the proper recommend- negative financial impacts on
ed administration of injec- the industry. It also demon-
tions when treating cattle. strates their commitment to
Research investigating the providing a safe, high quali-
frequency of injection site le- ty, wholesome product to beef
sions in beef packing plants consumers, which leads me
showed a 22.3% incidence to my next point on how BQA
rate for fed cattle carcass- can be used to protect and in-
es in 1991. The most recent crease consumer confidence
study in 2000 showed the in- when purchasing beef.
cidence rate had dropped to In order to meet and ex-
less than 3% for fed cattle. ceed consumer expectations,
However, there is still more we must have two things:
work to do in the market cow product integrity and a
and bull sector. In a 2016 re- high-quality product that
search project investigating meets the eating satisfaction
the frequency of injection of the consumer. Past Beef
site lesions in muscles from Checkoff funded consumer
rounds of dairy and beef cow market research has shown
and bull carcasses, research- that 68% of consumers make
ers observed a 15% (dairy) purchasing decisions based
and 7% (beef) presence of in- on animal welfare practices
jection site lesions. and only 24% of consumers
The beef industry has claim to be knowledgeable
also experienced a decline on how cattle are raised for
in the presence of critical food. Other market research
and extreme carcass bruis- has shown that 61% of con-
ing. Critical carcass bruises sumers mentioned a concern
require between 10 lbs – up when it comes to food animal
to the weight of the entire production practices and that
wholesale primal of trim to animal welfare is the num-
be removed, and an extreme ber one concern. In one sur-
carcass bruise requires the vey prior to being exposed to
entire wholesale primal to the BQA program, consum-
be discarded. In the early ers were asked what their
1990’s, entire beef carcasses perception of how cattle were
were being condemned and raised for food was. Five per-
rendered due to the amount cent of consumers responded
The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P19
strongly negative, while 20% sumer. Therefore, producers
felt strongly positive. Howev- who implement BQA on their
er, after these same consum- operation, can use the pro-
ers were exposed to the BQA gram to help tell the story of
program, the percentage how cattle are cared for and
who felt strongly negative handled on their operations.
dropped to 2% and the strong- In conclusion, a cow-calf
ly positive group increased to producer from the 2016
30%. This consumer research NBQA Strategy Workshop
is just a testament of how the said it best, “It doesn’t mat-
BQA program has an impact ter how superior of a prod-
on the beef purchasing con-
continued on page 24
Show-Me-Select
TM
Replacement
Heifer Sale
250 Crossbred & Purebred Heifers
May 21, 2021•7:00 P.M.
Joplin Regional Stockyards
I-44 East of Carthage, MO at Exit 22
Video preview and sale may be viewed at www.joplinstockyards.com.
On-line bidding and approval must be arranged in advance along with bank approval.
● To create an account go to www.joplinstockyards click on Live Auction then register and
fill out banking information. At least 2 days prior to sale.
● Any questions and/or approval call 417-548-2333 and ask for Dustin, Misti, or Clay.
Breeds & crosses include: Herefords, Angus, Many are synchronized and AI bred. A few Tier
Gelbvieh, Red Angus, Balancer, SimAngus and Two and Show-Me-Plus heifers are in the
Beefmaster. offering. See enclosed requirements for SMS
heifer details.
About 40% are black, 30% are black whiteface,
30% are red.
Program Requirements:
 Heifers have met minimum standards for reproductive soundness, pelvic size, body condition and
weight and are free of blemishes.
 Heifers bred to bulls meeting strict calving ease or birth weight EPD requirements.
 A strict immunization program has been followed including official Brucellosis calfhood vaccination.
Heifers are tested and found negative for PI BVD.
 Heifers will calve from late August to November 30 and were preg checked within 30 days of the sale.
John Wheeler, Marionville 2021 Consignors Include: Rector Farms, Rogersville
Robert Miller, Aurora
Kathy Wheeler, Marionville Aspen Ridge, LLC, Carthage Hounschell Farms, Stark City
Ali Henderson, Purdy
Marvin Phipps, Cassville Meadowlyn Farm, Cassville Ronnie & Debbie Choate
Jeffrey Stevens, Seymour
Mast Farms, Lamar
Kunkel Farms, Neosho Sam Schaumann, Billings Hunter Lane Cattle Co.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eldon Cole: (417) 466-3102
or email colee@missouri.edu
Sponsored by: Missouri “Show-Me-Select” Replacement Heifers, Inc., Division of Animal Sciences, Southwest
Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association in cooperation with University of Missouri Extension, College of
Veterinary Medicine, Missouri Cattlemen's Association and Missouri Department of Agriculture.
For more information, please visit:
https://extension2.misosuri.edu/programs/show-me-select-replacement-heifer-program