Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Program Scheduled in Canandaigua

Association, and New York Beef Producers Association. The program provides training to beef cattle producers in food safety, proper cattle handling techniques, proper handling of animal health products, proper injection sites, and record keeping.

The Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team is hosting a BQA training Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 til 2:30 pm at Tamberlane Farm, 4117 State Route 364, Canandaigua, NY . The classroom portion of the training will begin at 10 am. The chuteside portion of the training is after lunch. Cost for the training is $20 which includes a BQA manual; additional family/farm members are $8. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Once a producer is certified, he or she will have the opportunity to purchase a farm sign and receive a card verifying the BQA certification.

The goal of this program is to maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef by focusing the producer's attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of beef and beef products. Many beef cattle buyers, feeders, packers, and retail outlets are requiring that the beef they purchase be produced by BQA certified cattle producers. Also, most "added value" sale opportunities for feeder and stocker cattle require BQA certification. To register for the event, send a check payable to CCE, attn. Nancy Anderson at 480 N. Main St, Canandaigua, NY  14424. For questions, please call Nancy Glazier, Small Farms Support Specialist at 585.315.7746.