“Consumers are concerned for animal health, and the sustainability of the production systems their food’s raised in.”
Age and source verification is already a requirement for beef exports to China
That’s according to one of the beef industry speakers at next week’s first session of the Fairfield County Beef School. However, perhaps what will be even more meaningful to local cattlemen in the years to some are the recent announcements by two U.S. beef industry giants.
Very recently, Tyson Foods, who harvest and process 25% of the US beef market share, and also Wendy’s, the third largest fast food hamburger chain in this country, announced beginning in 2019 the cattle they purchase must originate from producers and feedyards who are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified. Following the lead set by the pork industry years ago, many believe it’s safe to assume the entire beef industry will soon require BQA certification in order for cattlemen to simply have market access for their cattle.
This Winter’s two part Beef School will focus on maintaining that market access while delivering highly valued cattle that are in demand by packers, retailers and consumers. The program will include addressing the renewed effort to get Ohio’s cattlemen BQA certified, exploring the value of weaning programs that can help insure calf health, and the longer range value of breeding and management programs that result in high quality beef at the time of harvest.
Similar to what the pork industry has experienced for years, some buyers will soon require BQA certification
Specifically, participants in the 2018 Beef School will hear from Dr. Henry Zerby, Senior Director of Protein Innovation for Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc.; Bill Tom, Executive Vice President of Livestock Marketing for United Producers, Inc.; Dr. Justin Kieffer, Clinical Veterinarian with The Ohio State University; and Dr. Francis Fluharty, Research Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University.
Beef School, and the insight of these experts will be offered locally in two parts via pre-recorded sessions beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 in the Fairfield County Ag Center. The presentations will conclude the following week, Thursday, February 22, and will be immediately followed that evening with the opportunity for participants to be BQA certified, or re-certified. BQA certifications continue to be effective for 3 years before renewal is required.
Cattlemen should make plans now to attend this unique opportunity to explore what will be needed in the coming years to insure that market access is sustained for local cattle in the rapidly changing cattle market environment. The program, including refreshments, is being sponsored by the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association. Call OSU Extension in Fairfield County (740-652-7265) for reservations or more details.
[In case you missed them, you will find the recordings of these two session linked here: Part 1 ; Part 2]
This note posted in a prominent Southern Ohio sale facility summarizes a preferred protocol for preparing beef feeders for market!