Updated Beef Quality Assurance National Manual Now Available

Dec 30, 2024

NCBA, a contractor to the beef checkoff, has announced the release of the updated Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) National Manual. The manual is a resource for science-based cattle production information and is available here.

“BQA empowers beef producers to maximize their potential to make the most efficient and responsible use of natural resources by effectively producing one of the world’s most nutritious and flavorful sources of protein,” said Clay Mathis, BQA Advisory Group chair and head of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. “This manual helps drive improvement across the supply chain through adherence to best management practices.”

The publication aims to provide technical information to help producers raise high-quality cattle that produce the wholesome beef consumers demand. It was developed to set production standards for beef quality and safety that are appropriate to an operation and that producers realistically can meet or exceed. In addition to being available online, the manual also is shared at the grassroots level through BQA state coordinators.

Click here to see more...

Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.