“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:
Noelle Barnes
OSU Extension Educator, Trumbull County
(330) 638-6783
Tim Barnes
OSU Extension Educator, Marion County
(740) 914-3030
Nic Baumer
OSU Extension Educator, Hardin County
(419) 767-6041
Amanda Bennett
OSU Extension Educator, Miami County
(937) 440-3944
Justin Bower
OSU Extension Educator, Healthy Living and Ohio Military Kids
(614) 247-1979
Ed Brown
OSU Extension Educator, Athens County
(740) 331-6060
Trevor Corboy
OSU Extension Educator, Greene County
(937) 372-9971 ext.114
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
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
Gigi Neal
OSU Extension Educator, Clermont County
(513) 732-7070
Heather Neikirk
OSU Extension Educator, Stark County
(234) 348-6145
Jordan Penrose
OSU Extension Educator, Morgan County
(740) 252-5433
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
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