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BQA/CMP Program Information
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Positive Image Depends on Pro-Ac
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:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Provide necessary food, water and care to protect the health
and well-being of animals.
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Provide disease prevention practices to protect herd health,
including access to veterinary care.
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Provide facilities that allow safe, humane and efficient
movement and/or restraint of cattle.
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Use appropriate methods to euthanize terminally sick or
injured livestock and dispose of
them properly.
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Provide personnel with training/experience to properly
handle and care for cattle.
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Make timely observations of cattle to ensure basic needs are
being met.
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Minimize stress when transporting cattle.
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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
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SD Animal Industry Board
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SD Beef Industry Council
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SD Cattlemen’s Association
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SD Corn Utilization Council
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SD Department of Agriculture
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SD Department of Health
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SD Livestock Auction Markets Association
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SD Stockgrowers Association
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SD Veterinary Medical Association
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SDSU Extension
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USDA-APHIS
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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.
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