What is the South Dakota BQA/CMP Program?
South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance/Critical Management Plan (SDBQA/CMP) is a program to ensure cattle are maintained in a proper manner which will result in a safe and wholesome beef product for the consumer. Specifically, the SDBQA/CMP program is designed to prevent residues, pathogen contamination and carcass blemishes, such as injection sites and bruises.

Is a BQA/CMP program really necessary?
Concern over food wholesomeness and safety is a very current issue. It is of utmost importance that the public know beef is a safe product. Today, quality control is an important part of all businesses. Beef production, from the producer to the retailer, is no exception. BQA/CMP is a good business practice that can identify potential problem areas in a beef production system and thus avoid potential product defects. A BQA/CMP program will help to assure consumer confidence for expanding both domestic and export markets.

Does BQA/CMP involve all levels of production?
From start to finish, every person in the food chain must take responsibility for safe and proper practices. Although the cow/calf producer is the farthest from the consumer, he can still affect the safety of beef and has a responsibility to deliver a quality product to his respective market.

What is a Hazard Analysis Critical Control (HACCP) Plan?
A Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan is a system designed to identify and prevent potential problems and defects by establishing preventative management plans that reduce potential problems at the most logical control points in the production system.

A HACCP plan identifies:

• what hazards or problems you want to control,

• where are the best points to control potential problems

• what preventive management practices should be used

• who in the production system will monitor the activities

• what records need to be kept, and

• what corrective actions should be taken if problems do occur.

Since each farm, ranch or feedlot has its own unique set of resources and management procedures, every beef enterprise needs to develop an individualized BQA/HACCP plan.

Does a program offer a competitive advantage for the sale of our product?
At this time, the main advantages are assuring no incidents occur and maintaining a positive image. A marketplace competitive advantage may become a fact in the future as packers develop programs establishing compliance standards to meet their principles of HACCP.

Why is the major emphasis on education? Who is being educated?
Education is the key to assuring that every person who comes into contact with cattle knows that they are responsible for the safety of the beef that goes onto the plate of the consumer. Everyone in the equation, from cowboys, feeders, processors, and food chain managers, must be made aware of the involvement and obligations.

Will the need for beef safety assurance education end?
It will be necessary to have a permanent structure in place. Products, regulations and people change constantly and so will the Quality Assurance/Critical Management Plan program's needs and challenges. Assuring the safety and wholesomeness of beef is an ongoing responsibility and commitment of the beef industry. As long as consumers have concerns about the safety of beef, the industry is obligated to provide a program that enhances consumers' confidence.

How do I get started?
First, attend one of the South Dakota BQA/CMP training sessions listed on the calendar (contact the BQA/CMP coordinator if there are no training meetings scheduled in your area.) At the training program, you will learn about some of the potential hazards and physical defects that can occur, including their economic impact on you and the beef industry, as well as methods to prevent these problems from occurring.


Second, work with a BQA/CMP trainer and your veterinarian to develop a HACCP-like plan for your beef production system. This plan will not only guide your program for the production of safe and wholesome beef, but it will also provide a tool to verify your efforts to your potential customers.

Producers, affiliates or groups interested in having a BQA/CMP training session in their area are encouraged to contact South Dakota's BQA/CMP Coordinator via email at aibmail@state.sd.us. They may also contact their county extension office or SDCA.