Beef Quality Assurance

Consumers are concerned for animal health, and the sustainability of the production systems their food’s raised in.”

That statement is just one of several discussed during the 2018 Ohio Beef School presentations that have caused teaching and certifying Ohio’s cattlemen in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) to become a priority. Adding even more meaning to that statement is the fact that Tyson Foods, who harvest and process 25% of the US beef market share, and also Wendy’s, now the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the U.S., have both announced beginning in 2019 cattle they purchase must originate from producers and feedyards who are Beef Quality Assurance certified. Not only are today’s consumers sharing their concerns, but now the businesses who are supplying the public’s demand for a quality beef product raised in a humane and sustainable fashion also want some guarantees that it’s happening throughout the production chain.

In response, Ohio State University Extension is working in cooperation with the Ohio Beef Council, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Ohio’s cattle auction markets and collection points to offer Ohio’s cattlemen several opportunities to become Beef Quality Assurance Certified.

If interested in attending a ‘live’ BQA training and gaining BQA certification, visit EVENTS/PROGRAMS for a list of presently scheduled BQA programs.

If interested in securing a BQA certification on-line, visit the “CERTIFICATION” link at BQA.org.

For more information about BQA in Ohio, see these Frequently Asked Questions.

If interested in scheduling a BQA training and certification session, contact any of Ohio’s Beef Quality Assurance trainers listed below:

Tim Barnes
OSU Extension Educator, Marion County
(740) 914-3030

Nic Baumer
OSU Extension Educator, Allen County
(419) 879-9108

Amanda Bennett
OSU Extension Educator, Miami County
(937) 440-3944

Justin Bower
OSU Extension Educator, Healthy Living and Ohio Military Kids
(614) 247-1979

Steve Boyles
OSU Extension Beef Specialist
(614) 292-7669

Ed Brown
OSU Extension Educator, Athens County
(740) 331-6060

Chris Bruynis
OSU Extension Educator, Ross County
(740)702-3200

Trevor Corboy
OSU Extension Educator, Greene County
(937) 372-9971 ext.114

Dirk Dempsey
OSU Extension Educator, Pike County
(740) 688-5050

Taylor Dill
OSU Extension Educator, Darke County
(937) 548-5215

Mike Estadt
OSU Extension Educator, Pickaway County
(740)474-7534

Rachael Fraley
OSU Extension Educator, Lawrence County
(740) 533-4322

Allen Gahler
OSU Extension Educator, Sandusky County
(419) 334-6340

Lyda Garcia
Ohio State University Animal Science
(614) 292-3642

Christine Gelley
OSU Extension Educator, Noble County
(740) 732-5681

Jason Hartschuh
OSU Extension Educator, Crawford County
(419) 562-8731

Janessa Hill
OSU Extension Educator, Holmes County
(330) 674-3015

Andrew Holden
OSU Extension Educator, Ashtabula County
(440) 576-9008 Ext. 5

Carri Jagger
OSU Extension Educator, Morrow County
(419) 947-1070

Dean Kreager
OSU Extension Educator, Licking County
(740) 670-5315

Alan Leininger
OSU Extension Educator, Henry County
(419) 592-0806

Clif Little
OSU Extension Educator, Guernsey County
(740) 489-5300

Erika Lyon
OSU Extension Educator, Harrison County
(740) 461-6136

Clifton Martin
OSU Extension Educator, Muskingum County
(740) 454-0144

Gregory Meyer
OSU Extension Educator, Warren County
(513) 695-1311

James Morris
OSU Extension Educator, Highland County
(937) 393-1918

Gigi Neal
OSU Extension Educator, Clermont County
(513) 732-7070

Heather Neikirk
OSU Extension Educator, Stark County
(234) 348-6145

Christopher Penrose
OSU Extension Educator, Morgan County
(740) 962-1334

Jordan Penrose
OSU Extension Educator, Gallia County
(740)446-7007

Richard Purdin
OSU Extension Educator, Adams County
(937) 544-2339

Caitlyn Romshak
OSU Extension Educator, Harrison County
(740)942-8823

Garth Ruff
OSU Extension Beef Field Specialist
(740) 651-7140

Sabrina Schirtzinger
OSU Extension Educator, Knox County
(740)397-0401

Matt Schmerge
OSU Extension Educator, Shelby County
(937)498-7240

Clinton James Schroeder
OSU Extension Educator, Allen County
(419)879-9108

Elizabeth Share
OSU Extension 4-H Program Specialist
(614)292-0589

Haley Shoemaker
OSU Extension Educator, Columbiana County
(330) 967-7248

Jacci Smith
OSU Extension Educator, Delaware County
(740) 833-2030

Stan Smith
OSU Extension PA, Fairfield County
(740) 277-4633

Sandra Trushel
OSU Extension Educator, Carroll County
(330) 627-4310

Brooks Warner
OSU Extension Educator, Clinton County
(937) 382-0901 ext 2

Travis West
OSU Extension Educator, Vinton County
(740) 596-5212

Rhonda Williams
OSU Extension Educator, Darke County
(937) 548-5215

Josh Winters
OSU Extension Educator, Jackson County
(740)688-5029

Ted Wiseman
OSU Extension Educator, Perry County
(740) 743-1602

Chris Zoller
OSU Extension Educator, Tuscarawas County
(330) 365-8159