For several years the Kentucky Beef Network and its partners have provided Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) training for producers around Kentucky. The mission of BQCA is to maximize consumer confidence in and acceptance of beef by focusing the producer’s attention on daily production practices that influence safety, wholesome and quality beef and beef products through the use of science, research and education initiatives. BQCA training must be completed every three years by producers to maintain their certification. Anderson County Extension partnered with the Kentucky Beed Network, Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association, Kentucky Ag Development Fund, and University Specialists to provide hands-on chute side training. The County Agriculture Agent, as well as KBN Field Associate Jacob Settles, taught the 4-hour training.

Though there has been a number of BQCA training conducted in the past, this was Anderson County’s first Chute-Side training. The training gave producers a hands-on learning experience that covered genetics, handling and facilities, health and management, body condition score, calving, end product, and economics. Producers were broken up into two groups where one group learned chute-side and the other learned in a classroom setting. The groups were asked to switch midway through. 

During the month of September, KBN partnered with the Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association to pay the fee for producers to obtain their BQCA Certifications. Anderson County had 42 participants attend the training, with 27 producers receiving their BQCA Certification. The agent has received numerous phone calls and office visits that showed overwhelming appreciation for the training. An evaluation was sent to producers to gauge their receptiveness to the training and to provide a better program in the future. 

Anderson County is going to continue to provide chute-side BQCA training on an every-other-year basis to give area producers the education resources they need. The program will switch farm locations to show producers the variability in operation and how to think critically about better meeting the needs of their cattle.