Stories from the Agribusiness Newspaper Grass & Grain

Free sessions provide education on best management practices

K-State Research and Extension news service 

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kansas State University has planned meetings in four locations to provide cattle producers with certification through the Beef Quality Assurance program. 

Officials with K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry said BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that offers education for cattle producers on up-to-date best management strategies with a commitment to quality through every segment of the beef industry. 

The training dates are offered by K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Livestock Association, and the Kansas Beef Checkoff. There is no cost to attend. The scheduled sessions are: 

• March 28, 6 p.m. -- City Limits Convention Center, Colby. 
• March 30, 6 p.m. -- Butler County Community and 4-H Building, El Dorado.  
• April 11, 6 p.m. -- Stanley Stout Center, Manhattan. 
• April 13, 6 p.m. -- Hilton Garden Inn, Hays.  

Dinner will be provided by Certified Angus Beef, which will share its story of cattlemen’s commitment to raising healthy, nutritious, and high-quality beef with beef consumers and the brand’s licensed partners.  

“Certified Angus Beef supports BQA because it’s an easy and effective way for producers to communicate cattle care to people on the opposite end of the beef supply chain,” said Bruce Cobb, CAB executive vice president of production. “Besides sharing producer stories and helping to drive demand for premium beef, providing a meal to attendees is the most direct way we can support cattlemen who get BQA certified at these events.”   

During the BQA training, K-State associate professor and beef extension veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff will walk through BQA best practices. Topics include cattle care, extreme weather planning, stockmenship and other critical topics for cattle production.  

BQA certification is good for three years. Officials say these continuing education programs are not only valuable to a cattle producer’s operation, but attending these sessions also proves to consumers that the industry is committed to producing the highest quality, safest beef supply in the world.  

To register for one of the upcoming training sessions, contact Brooke Wines at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 785-273-5115. Onsite registration will also be available at each location.  

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The Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry department serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science, food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu. 

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan. 

For more information: 

A.J. Tarpoff 

785-532-1255 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Written by: 

Angie Stump Denton 

785-562-6197 

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