Positive Image Depends on Pro-Active Producers

As beef producers, we have a great responsibility. We are charged with producing high-quality beef at an affordable cost. Most producers are dedicated to doing this in the safest, most humane way possible. For more than ten years the BQA/CMP program in South Dakota has been helping producers reach those goals.

In today's environment of consumer awareness and readily accessible mass media, it doesn't take much to make a sensation. That's why it's important for producers to be proactive in following these protocols and in educating others about these methods. If we can educate the people we come into contact with about our safe, healthy, humane practices, they might be less likely to write off the whole industry when they see the splashy news stories about the rare exceptions.

Here are three ideas for promoting a positive image:

Volunteer to talk to the local school kids, or invite them to your place for a field trip. You'd be surprised how many kids in South Dakota don't know what takes place on a ranch.
Introduce yourself to the local media. Tell them a little about your philosophy of ranching and invite them to call you if an ag-related story comes up. They'll appreciate that you took the time and might be more willing to tell your side of the story.
Talk to people. Don't hesitate to talk about what you do and how you do it.

By being pro-active instead of reactive we can help show consumers that we care as much, or more, about animal welfare and consumer safety as they do, and that we work every day to prove it.

BQA at a Glance

The Producer Code of Cattle Care, developed by the BQA Advisory Board in 1996, served as the ﬁrst formalized animal welfare guidelines for the beef industry. These standards call for producers to:

Provide necessary food, water and care to protect the health and well-being of animals.
Provide disease prevention practices to protect herd health, including access to veterinary care.
Provide facilities that allow safe, humane and efficient movement and/or restraint of cattle.
Use appropriate methods to euthanize terminally sick or injured livestock and dispose of them properly.
Provide personnel with training/experience to properly handle and care for cattle.
Make timely observations of cattle to ensure basic needs are being met.
Minimize stress when transporting cattle.
Keep updated on advancements and changes in the industry to make decisions based on sound production practices and consideration to animal well-being.

These animal care standards that producers have practiced for years, and the scientific basis for them, are expanded and detailed in the “Guidelines for Care and Handling of Beef Cattle.” Producer leaders worked with animal health and wellbeing experts to develop the guidelines, which are endorsed by the Academy of Veterinary Consultants and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners as well as the Food Marketing Institute and National Council of Chain Restaurants. For a copy of the guidelines call or e-mail the office.

BQA/CMP Supports SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™

The Beef Quality Assurance/Comprehensive Management Plan (BQA/CMP) program is doing more than helping producers make good decisions for their businesses. As part of the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ENROLLED CATTLE™ Program, it's helping producers add value to their cattle.

"When the state started looking at the protocols they wanted to include to set SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ above similar programs, they realized the BQA/CMP program was already training producers to produce that kind of quality beef. The BQA/CMP program was established and had gained nationwide respect, so it made sense to incorporate in into SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™," said Bryce Baker, Ag Development Specialist with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.

A BQA number and premises ID number are prerequisites for participation in the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ENROLLED CATTLE™ Program. Producers must be enrolled in the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ENROLLED CATTLE™ Program before their calving season starts in order for their calves to qualify. While in may be too late for many producers to get on board this year, it's never too early to start planning for next year. Baker encourages producers to talk to their local extension agents about upcoming trainings in order to be ready for next year, or for fall calving. Some extension educators are willing to work with producers one-on-one, if they don't want to wait until a training is scheduled. "The extensions agents have done a really good job of training and working with producers on this program." Baker says.

Requirements for Participation in the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ENROLLED CATTLE™ Program

Step 1: Application

Submit a Producer Application Form to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA). A BQA number and Premises ID number are required to complete the Producer Application Form, so please ensure these prerequisites are complete prior to submitting an application.

Step 2: On-Site Evaluation

Upon approval of the Producer Application, the SDDA will schedule an on site evaluation. A Program Specialist will meet with you to ensure that you fully understand and have the ability to sufficiently meet all program requirements.

Step 3: License Agreement

The final step in the Licensing process is to sign the License Agreement. The License Agreement serves as a contract between the producer and the SDDA; it formally authorizes you to enroll cattle into the program and use the program marks when marketing enrolled cattle. The Secretary of Agriculture adds his signature to the License Agreement to formally approve you for SDCEC participation.

For more information on the SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED ENROLLED CATTLE™ Program requirements or to get an Application Form, visit www.sdcec.sd.gov or call 605-773-3724.

BQA/CMP Assessment Process

In order to affirm that BQA/CMP practices are being properly adhered to by our certified producers, the BQA/CMP Steering Committee has directed that an annual review be undertaken. This review was conducted for the ﬁrst time in early 2006, and another review is underway for 2008.

Some of you may have already received a self-audit and review form that you’re asked to complete and return to the BQA/CMP administration office. This self-audit is designed to provide a step-by-step review of the BQA/CMP guidelines that you agreed to when signing your critical management plan to become certified. Those selected to participate in the self-audit represent a random 10 percent of the BQA/CMP producers currently certified. Following this self-audit and review, a small percentage of BQA/CMP producers will be selected for an on-site visit to further ensure program guidelines are being adhered to. Results from the review will be compiled and shared in a general overview with all BQA/CMP certified participants later this year.

The South Dakota BQA/CMP program was initiated by beef industry participants to add value to our cattle by assuring our production practices adhere to the highest quality standards. It is the intention of the BQA/CMP Steering Committee that this review will be conducted annually with certified producers in order to strengthen our voluntary program while providing high quality beef that meets consumer demand.

BQA in the Future

The goals for the future of BQA include improving consumer satisfaction by 2010 and increasing market opportunities for producers.

With the guidance of the 2007 audit, BQA will initiate a number of pilot projects to “plow new ground” in order to better address beef quality issues. This will include identifying emerging issues in the industry, initiating the pilot projects, communicating findings, and adopting new initiatives that prove to be effective.

Next, BQA standards and certifications will be used to improve product quality and maximize market opportunities for producers by revisiting standards developed in 2001, examining what certification means and how to best apply it in the industry, and effectively leveraging it in the production chain.

Fostering state creativity will assist in addressing production needs and market forces unique to producers in specific regions. The BQA standards will be applied consistently across the country, but allow states to go beyond national standards to meet state needs and opportunities. It will also allow state programs to capitalize on unique producer education venues within the states.

In the future, BQA will be able to pursue new areas that maximize producer market opportunities and meet consumer needs by being broader in scope. Producers will help identify emerging issues and additional ways to add value, while research will provide new technology that streamlines production.

Producer involvement in BQA will be expanded to have a greater reach and impact.

Educational tools and communication vehicles will be employed that effectively embrace and educate additional beef and dairy producers. BQA will be adaptable enough to reach producers in their world and motivate them to become involved.

Finally, BQA’s focus on safety and wholesomeness will enhance consumer perception of beef and producers. This will be done by identifying aspects of the program that may resonate with consumers, and then packaging that information so it can be shared with consumers to increase their awareness.

Organizations Represented on the BQA/CMP Steering Committee

SD Animal Industry Board

SD Beef Industry Council

SD Cattlemen’s Association

SD Corn Utilization Council

SD Department of Agriculture

SD Department of Health

SD Livestock Auction Markets Association

SD Stockgrowers Association

SD Veterinary Medical Association

SDSU Extension

USDA-APHIS

USDA-FSIS

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association has assumed the administrative responsibilities for the BQA/CMP program on behalf of the Steering Committee. If you have any questions about the BQA/CMP program, please contact the SDCA office at 605-945-2333 or bqa@sdcattlemen.org.