Colorado Companies Earn National BQA Awards, Put Colorado in Limelight
Libby Bigler, Colorado BQA Coordinator
Two Colorado companies earned recognition for their outstanding efforts in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) on Feb. 3 in Nashville, Tenn. at the 2017 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Magnum Feedyard Co., LLC, owned by Steve Gabel of Wiggins, Colo., was honored as the recipient of the 2017 National BQA Feedyard award, while IMI Global, owned by John and Leann Saunders of Castle Rock,  Colo., was presented the 2017 National BQA Marketer award.
“This is a win for Colorado’s beef industry,” says Libby Bigler, Colorado BQA program coordinator. “Both IMI Global and Magnum Feedyard are great examples of how Colorado cattle producers have really embraced the BQA program. Both are excellent promotors of the BQA message not only to their fellow industry members, but also to the consuming public.”
Award winners are selected by a committee comprised of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups, who assess nominations based on their demonstrated commitment to BQA practices, their service as leaders in the beef industry, and their dedication to promoting the BQA message to grow consumer confidence. Read more...
|
|
|
|
Magnum Feedyard - 2017 BQA Feedyard Award
|
|
|
|
IMI Global - 2017 BQA Marketer Award
|
|
BQA Certification Now Free, Online, 24/7
From www.beefboard.org - Melissa Jackson, Trade Media Manager for The Sandbox Agency, contractor for the Cattlemen's Beef Board 
You read the headline right. The checkoff’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is now always FREE online! It’s a new interactive online experience that beef and dairy producers can sign up for and complete at their convenience.
Why BQA? Because it tells consumers that you have a commitment to delivering a product that is backed by science-based standards. Certification also addresses many questions that consumers have about beef production. BQA ensures consumers that cattle producers are committed to responsibly raising, safe, wholesome, high quality beef. Read more...
Colorado BQA staff had the opportunity to participate in the roll-out of the National BQA Certification modules by assisting with content and Beta testing. Colorado BQA will now accept online BQA Certifications through this new platform.
|
|
Protecting cattle vaccine: From the retailer to the cow
From Progressive Cattleman - Michael J. Thomas, Freelance Author 
We recently finished up the first round of pre-calving shots to the bred cows here on Withington Creek, and Mother Nature has provided less- than-ideal cow-working conditions.
With the mercury gathered in the bottom of the thermometer for days on end, and the snow piling up, we had cause to reminisce about past winter experiences at the chute: our first years of giving pre-calving vaccine in the winter – cussing the vaccine freezing in the needles – unaware that an issue larger than this inconvenient situation lurked unseen to the naked eye.
By exposing the vaccines to these freezing temperatures, we were compromising the level of immunity we were trying to give the cows.
Today, most producers understand that vaccine is inherently fragile and has a small window of temperature tolerance and low resistance to ultraviolet light from the sun. As damage occurs, efficacy is compromised.
There are several factors involved in the effective immunization of an animal: general health, body condition, weather conditions, injection techniques and the quality of the vaccine – to name a few. Read more...
|
|
BQA Principles to Consider After Disaster
Libby Bigler, Colorado BQA Coordinator
Although never welcome, it is important that cattle producers be prepared to deal with natural disasters and their aftermath. The recent fires that devastated Eastern Colorado and the plains states have underlined the importance of being able to apply BQA guidelines relating to animal health welfare in the wake of disaster. Two of the most important BQA principles to consider are:
- A veterinary-client-patient-relationship is vital at all times, but especially in the aftermath of a disaster. Cattle who have survived a disaster may need to be examined by a veterinarian to identify long-term injuries, infections and treatment options.
- The veterinarian is also an important partner in facilitating humane euthanasia decisions. The Beef Quality Assurance program supports humane euthanasia practices established by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP).
Learn more about how to provide the proper care for cattle after a fire from Kacy Atkinson, Colorado BQA Trainer and Logan County CSU Extension Agent, in the Sterling Journal-Advocate’s Caring for cattle after fire.
|
|
New Colorado BQA Certified Producers
Thank you for your commitment to producing safe, healthy and wholesome beef! Congratulations!
|
|
|
|
The Burns family of REW Land and Cattle in Paonia, CO proudly displays their BQA sign on their front gate. REW Land and Cattle is one of many BQA Certified cow-calf operations on the Western Slope who work every day to produce safe, healthy and wholesome beef.
Where is your BQA sign displayed? Email a photo of your sign and we'll post it on Facebook and Twitter!
|
|
|
Calendar of Events
March 24-26, 2017
CSU Green & Gold Showdown
The Ranch, Loveland, CO
March 25, 2017
CSU 41st Annual Bull Sale
CSU ARDEC, Fort Collins, CO
Weld County Annual Beef Cattle Seminar
Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley, CO
March 27, 2017
CSU Global Food Innovation Center Groundbreaking
CSU Animal Sciences Building, Fort Collins, CO
March 29, 2017
Northern Colorado BQA Training
Semi-Arid Grasslands Research Center, Nunn, CO
April 5-6, 2017
Colorado Livestock Association Annual Meeting
Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, Loveland, CO
April 11, 2017
Otero Junior College BQA Training
McDivitt Hall, Otero Junior College, La Junta, CO
June 12-14, 2017
Colorado Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention
Doubletree by Hilton, Grand Junction, CO
July 12-15, 2017
NCBA Summer Business Meeting
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Denver, CO
|
|
|
BQA Trainers, like Travis Taylor with Lincoln County Extension (left), are available to provide BQA Certification workshops for producers across the state. With more than 25 certified Colorado BQA trainers, it is now easier than ever to schedule and attend a local BQA training.
Search for your local BQA Trainer here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Questions? Contact Us!
Colorado Beef Quality Assurance
Colorado State University
1171 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1171
970-491-BEEF (2333)
www.coBQA.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
