— The Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance program is hitting the road this fall, and beef producers from across the state are invited to learn ways to improve production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of the products they produce.

The Oklahoma Beef Council through the beef checkoff program, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, is hosting field days in four districts throughout the state to educate beef producers about topics including beef quality, cattle production and handling, consumer demand and methods to increase pro-

fitability.

The dates and locations are: Aug. 24, Tulsa Fairgrounds, Mustang Arena; Sept. 8, Caddo County Fairgrounds; Sept. 13, Woodward County Fairgrounds, and Sept. 15, Pittsburg County Expo Center. Each participant that completes the program will qualify to win a Priefert S04 Manual Chute Carriage sponsored by Priefert and Shawnee Milling Company.

“By participating in the BQA program and adopting its production practices, beef producers are positioning their businesses to take advantage of opportunities that lie ahead,” said Jeff Jaronek, director of industry relations for the Oklahoma Beef Council. “Making a commitment to BQA isn’t just the right thing to do for the consumer, it can also open doors to new marketing opportunities for participating producers and help them become more competitive.”

The program will begin with an overview of the program. Topics will include animal handling with live cattle, vaccination and processing procedures, specific methods to add value to beef, and consumer perceptions about animal welfare. Following lunch, the program concludes with a recap and a BQA certification test.

“More and more buyers of feeder calves and breeding stock are looking for livestock that comes from BQA-certified operations,” Jaronek said. “We encourage producers to participate in one of the four events and take the certification test so they can gain an advantage in this progressive market.”

Upon successful completion of the BQA course, producers will be recognized as a BQA Certified Producer, supplied a BQA certification card and certification number; and meet the requirements for other state and national production and marketing programs that require BQA certification.

Anyone interested in becoming certified or recertified should contact Jeff Jaronek at the Oklahoma Beef Council at jeff.jaronek@oklabeef.org or (405) 840-3777.