WHAT DO ALL THESE PICTURES HAVE IN

COMMON?
Beef Quality Assurance
 What is Beef Quality Assurance?

A national program that provides guidelines for beef

cattle production.

BQA helps producers identify management processes

that can be improved.
 BQA Programs

Can be found in every state

Programs are locally led and voluntary (ranchers and
farmers participate because they want to)
Based on good management practices
Focuses on educating cattle producers in cattle food
safety and quality
 So, what exactly defines quality beef?

Eating characteristics
Tenderness, flavor, juiciness, color, leanness, packaging, ease
of preparation -- and price

Safety and Wholesomeness

Beef products are harvested and processed under strict
government inspection systems that ensure it is safe,
wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.
 USDA Quality Grading
Factors that affect palatability of meat (tenderness, juiciness,
and flavor). These factors include carcass maturity, firmness,
texture, and color of lean, and the amount and distribution of
marbling within the lean.

USDA Yield Grading

Beef yield grades show differences in the total yield of retail
cuts. Yield grades estimate the amount of boneless, closely
trimmed retail cuts from the high-value parts of the carcass
the round, loin, rib, and chuck.
 HACCP: The Basis of BQA

Pronounced hassip

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

Control points are the common steps in an overall
management plan, such as calving, purchasing feedstuffs,
weaning calves, and transporting cattle
BQA practices can be implemented during these control
points to prevent problems with food safety and quality
 BQA Guidelines

1. Record keeping
2. Care and husbandry practices
3. Processing/Treatment
4. Feedstuffs/Feed Additives and Medications
5. Management and Emergency Preparedness
 #1 Record Keeping

Keep individual treatment records on each animal

When cattle are treated in a group, keep records on
group
Make sure all withdrawal times have been followed
before shipping cattle to slaughter
Keep records for three years
 #2 Care and Husbandry

Handle and transport cattle in ways that reduce

stress and injury
See video (next slide)
Regularly inspect facilities to make sure animals can
be handled safely
Keep feed and water equipment clean
Properly manage nutrition
Temple Grandin Clip
 #3 Processing/Treatment

Follow all USDA/FDA/EPA guidelines for products

used (example: antibiotics)
Follow label directions
Strictly follow withdrawal periods
#4 Feedstuffs/Feed Additives and Medications

Keep records of pesticides or herbicides you use on

pasture or crops that could possibly leave residues in
grazing cattle or feedlot cattle
Use only FDA-approved medicated feed additives
Follow sensible guidelines for using antibiotics
Keep complete records
#5 Management and Emergency Preparedness

Develop a security management strategy to protect

your operation against danger, damage, loss and
crime
Use a system to ensure biosecurity
Create a disaster preparedness plan
Brackett Ranches
 Create a Poster

Create a poster advertising a Beef Quality Assurance

(BQA) training session. Your poster should be
directed towards cattle ranchers and farmers and
should persuade them to attend this educational
session based on what you learned about the BQA
program in class today.