UW-Extension and UW-River Falls are teaming up to offer Beef & Dairy Quality Assurance certification programs on October 23 & 24. This program will take place at the UW-River Falls Campus Lab Farm (farm #1) located at 1475 S. Wasson Lane, River Falls, WI. The Friday, October 23rd, program will focus on dairy cattle, beginning at 9:30 AM with registration. Dairy Quality Assurance training and exam will take place from 10:00AM to 12:30. Beginning at 1:00PM Curt Pate will demonstrate low stress dairy cattle handling, concluding at 3:00PM.
The Saturday, October 24th, program will focus on beef cattle beginning at 8:30 AM with registration. From 9:00AM to 11:00 Curt Pate will demonstrate low stress beef cattle handling. At 11:00AM Beef Quality Assurance training and testing will begin and will conclude by 2:00PM including time for a lunch break.
Curt Pate, a nationally recognized expert in cattle handling and stockmanship, will be a featured presenter both days. Curt will be demonstrating his handling techniques during live cattle demonstrations. His personal experience incorporating effective stockmanship principles supports a “for profit” mindset and focuses on highlighting the increased economic benefits of handling stock correctly. In addition, Curt recognizes the growing public scrutiny surrounding livestock production and the impact that improved livestock handling practices create for the sustainability of the cattle industry.
Several livestock producers may have quality assurance certifications expiring this fall, and this is a great opportunity to recertify. For those not certified this is your chance to become either beef or dairy quality assurance certified and participate in a voluntary national program to improve consumer confidence in beef products. The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification program is a proactive way for you to maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef by focusing on production practices that promote food safety, wholesomeness, and quality of beef and beef products.
Beef & dairy producers, veterinarians, and allied industry professionals are all welcome to attend. Three Veterinary CEU’s have been requested for this program (two for completing Quality Assurance, and one for stockmanship demonstration).
The cost for the program is $20 for Quality Assurance certification and for the live cattle demonstrations. Lunch will be available on site from the UWRF Beef Management Team for $10 per person. Please pre-register by contacting the St. Croix County UW-Extension Office at 715-531-1930 no later than Friday, October 16th. Late registrations and day of registration will be accepted for $30 per person.