Meat Quality and Selection

BQA, College Scholarships and the Fair

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As fall rapidly approaches, the Cattlemen have some activities coming up you’ll want to get on your calendars.

We hope to see you this fall!

Beef Quality Assurance: The Fairfield County Cattlemen along with Marshall Grain, Granville Milling, Faler Feed Store, and Rushcreek Feed will host a BQA Certification & REcertification in the Ed Sands Building on the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on September 5. It begins at 5:45 p.m. with a hamburger fry compliments of the sponsors and will be followed by the program that begins at 6:30. In order to properly receive BQA certification participants need to pre-register at https://go.osu.edu/fairfieldbqa

FCCA College Scholarships: Since the FCCA college scholarship program was begun in 1999 more than $36,000 in scholarships have been awarded to local youth. Scholarships are funded by the FCCA and, in part, through a donation from the Sally Grimm Community Fund in memory of past FCCA President Greg DeWitt. The scholarship application portal is now open and Continue reading BQA, College Scholarships and the Fair →

Beef Quality Assurance Certification and REcertification set for September 5

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Plan to get BQA certified on September 5th!

Following the lead set by the pork industry years ago, many segments of the beef industry require BQA certification in order for cattlemen to have market access for their cattle. This was never more apparent than when nearly seven years ago Tyson Foods, who harvest and process 25% of the US beef market share, and also Wendy’s, the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the country, announced the cattle they purchase must originate from producers and feedyards who are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified. Since then, other fed cattle buyers and livestock marketers have followed suit and are making the same requests.

Because BQA is a three year certification, most of those who were BQA Certified in the fall of 2018 and REcertified in 2021 are due to be REcertified at this time. To accommodate not only those now needing REcertification but also those wanting initial BQA certification, the Fairfield County Cattlemen will be hosting a Beef Quality Assurance certification on Continue reading Beef Quality Assurance Certification and REcertification set for September 5 →

CANCELLED: Local Cattlemen; Plan now to enjoy a summer picnic on August 12, and get BQA Certified too!

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Just bring a chair and your appetite.

Effective 8/6/23, 6:45 p.m. due to an abundance of scheduling conflicts that are preventing so many from attending, this event has been cancelled, at least for now.

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Fairfield County cattlemen, local youth beef exhibitors, and buyers who have supported our youth beef exhibitors are invited to this year’s summer hamburger fry being held on Saturday evening, August 12 at Stillwater Farm. Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship and relaxation. The best part is the only thing you need to bring is your family and lawn chairs . . . ALL the food will be provided!

In addition to some great food, those in attendance who wish to receive their adult Beef Quality Assurance certification, or REcertification will have that opportunity also. The conversation will include concerns for the Asian longhorn tick that recently killed some cows in Ohio, proper set-up and use of handling facilities, satisfying the consumer’s demands for quality, pasture management, and most anything else that a cattleman might talk about.

It all begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 12 at Stillwater Farm, 1975 Old Logan Road SE, near Lancaster, with some thoughts on tick and pasture management. The hamburger fry and supper will follow beginning around 6:30. After supper those wanting BQA certification will conclude with conversation in the barn about handling, breeding, and finishing cattle that result in a high-quality product and consumer satisfaction at the meat case.

Remember . . . the cattlemen are providing the food. All you need to do is bring a lawn chair and your appetite and tell us you plan to attend by completing the very brief reservation survey linked here or by calling 740-277-4633 to let us know you’re coming. Please RSVP that you’re coming by Sunday, August 6!

And, please share this invitation with any cattlemen who may not be on this list serve, young beef exhibitors, and your Jr. Fair beef sale supporters!

Beef Quality Assurance Session Set for September 6

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Last year Tyson Foods, who harvest and process 25% of the US beef market share, and also Wendy’s, the second 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.

All Ohio sale barns and collection points – including Fairfield Cattle Company – are asking that cattlemen who have yet to do so acquire their BQA Certification as soon as possible in order to more easily accommodate the transition to accepting and marketing fed cattle in the coming year. To that end, Scott Barrett of Fairfield Cattle Company is hosting a BQA session the evening of Continue reading Beef Quality Assurance Session Set for September 6 →

“Roast Perfect” Smartphone App tells how to do the Perfect Roast!

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A recent survey found that nearly two-thirds of consumers don’t know what cuts of beef are best for roasting. Furthermore, 19 percent of consumers say they don’t know how to prepare a roast. Until now.

Now there’s an APP for that!

Earlier this fall the Certified Angus Beef brand launched Roast Perfect, a free app for smartphones and tablets designed to help consumers easily buy, prepare and enjoy a delicious beef roast anytime. The app is available now for both Apple and Android devices.

Roast Perfect includes Continue reading “Roast Perfect” Smartphone App tells how to do the Perfect Roast! →