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IOWA BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM


BQA Online Certification

Are you looking to get BQA Certified, but want to do it from home? Do chores have you too busy to come to town for a BQA training event? Online training options are now available from anywhere, and Iowa qualifies! Get started today.

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Iowa BQA Regional Educators

Iowa BQA Coordinator - IBIC Director of Industry Relations | 515-296-2305 

Iowa Beef Specialists
 
Region 1 Educator - Beth Doran, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 2 Educator - Russ Euken, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 4 Educator - Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 5 Educator - Chris Clark, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 6 Educator - Patrick Wall, ISU Beef Specialist 

Upcoming BQA Events

Earn your BQA Certification at one of our upcoming BQA Workshops.

Are you looking to get BQA Certified, but want to do it from home? Online training options are now available from anywhere, and Iowa qualifies! Get started today.

waukon, IA

tuesday, july 9th 2024 | meal 6:00 P.m. | training 7 p.m.

Equity Livestock Auction
1645 Highway 76 North
Waukon, IA  52172

For more information: Please pre-register by July 8th by calling Equity Livestock at 563.568.4501. 

Contact: Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist 

Sponsors include Allamakee County Cattlemen and Equity Livestock.

Pella, IA

tuesday, july 23rd 2024 | 12 noon Training

Two Rivers Coop
109 South Street
Pella, IA  50219

Contact: Region 6 Educator - Pat Wall, ISU Beef Specialist 

Sponsored by Two Rivers Co-op.

cascade, IA

thursday, july 25th 2024 | 6:30 pm Training

Cascade Livestock Auction
743 IA-136
Cascade, IA  52033

Contact: Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist

Sponsored by Cascade Livestock Auction. 

clarinda, IA

tuesday, August 6th 2024 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm Training

Wibholm Hall
200 S 6th St
Clarinda, IA  51632

For more information: Please pre-register by calling the Page Co. Extension Office at 712.542.5171.

Contact: Region 4 Educator - Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Beef Specialist 

Dunlap, IA

monday, august 12th 2024 | 6:30 meal 7:00 p.M. Training

Dunlap Livestock Auction
701 US-30
Dunlap, IA 51529

For more information: Please pre-register by calling the Harrison Co. Extension Office at 712.644.2105.

Contact: Region 4 Educator - Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Beef Specialist 

tama, IA

monday, august 19th 2024 | 6:00 P.m. | BQAT to follow 

Tama Livestock Auction
1908 E 5th St. 
Tama, IA 52339

For more information: Please pre-register by August 13 by calling the Tama Livestock Auction at 641.484.3465.

Contact: Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist 

walcott, IA

Wednesday, august 21st 2024 | 6:00 P.m. meal | 6:30 BQA to follow 

American Legion
121 Bryant St.  
Walcott, IA 52773

For more information: Please pre-register by August 15th by calling Walcott Vet Clinic at 563.284.6233.

Contact: Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist 

Walcott Vet will cover the cost of the meal for their clients. Non-clients $10-$12/person for the meal. 

decorah, IA

wednesday, september 18th 2024 | 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 A.m. Training

Decorah Sales Commission
2123 Madison Rd.
Decorah, IA 

For more information: Please pre-register by calling Decorah Sales Commission at 563.382.4203.

Contact: Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist 

BQA Web Logo

Beef Quality Assurance

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) works to protect consumer confidence in our beef supply and to return more profits to producers. All individuals who have the opportunity to influence the quality and handling of cattle are encouraged to become certified. 

Learn More

BQA Transportation Program Shows Industry Commitment to Responsible Cattle Production

By Chase DeCoite, Director of Beef Quality Assurance, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the beef checkoff 

The checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program recently launched a training and certification program for cattle transportation. The program, known as Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT), provides cattle producers and haulers with comprehensive training based on their roles in the cattle industry. Online training launched in November 2017 and has quickly amassed over 700 enrollments by producers and cattle haulers from across the country.  Additionally, Cargill is supporting in-person training programs through the network of BQA state coordinators. 

Read More

National Beef Quality Audit

The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) is a beef checkoff-funded evaluation that documents the progress the industry has made over the last five years. Additional NBQA information can be found here.

­­Iowa BQA Award winners

2022 Feedyard Award

Congratulations to Lauritsen Cattle Co of Exira, IA. 

Learn More >

2022 Cow-calf award

Congratulations to Dr. John Greving of Manning, Iowa.

Learn More >

2022 Marketer Award

Congratulations to Joe Nelson and Jesse Massman of Decorah Livestock Commission of Decorah, IA.

Learn More >

2021 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Hadwen Kleiss of Stardell Farms - Fredericksburg, IA
  • Iowa Cow-Calf Award was awarded to Wiese and Sons - Manning, IA
  • Iowa Marketer Award was awarded to Todd and Karen Bergfeld - Cascade Livestock Auction - Cascade, IA

2020 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Mogler Farms - Alvord, IA
  • Iowa Cow-Calf Award was awarded to David Bruene - ISU Beef Teaching Farm
  • Iowa Marketer Award was awarded to Dunlap Livestock Auction

2019 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Steve Rehder- Hawarden, IA
  • Iowa Cow-Calf Award was awarded to Bruce Rivers - Maquoketa, IA
  • Iowa Educator Award was awarded to Katy Lippolis - Iowa State Extension Beef Specialist in Ames, IA
  • Iowa Marketer Award was awarded to Sheldon Livestock Sales Incorporated - Sheldon, IA

2018 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Kennedy Cattle Company, Atlantic, IA
  • Iowa Cow-Calf Award was awarded to Peterson Farms, Eddyville, IA 
  • Iowa Educator Award was awarded to Denise Schwab- NE Iowa Beef Specialist- Vinton, IA

2017 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Jim and Julie Christensen, Christensen Feedlot and Royal Beef - Royal, IA
  • Iowa Cow-Calf Award was awarded to the Peters Family - Bellevue, IA
  • Iowa Educator Award was awarded to Dr. Leo Timms - Iowa State University Extension in Ames, IA

2016 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Kent Pruismann of Rock River Feeders - Rock Valley, IA
  • Iowa Cow-Calf Award was awarded to Brenda, Leah, Lauren, Jim, Norvel, and Esther Mosher - Liscomb, IA
  • Iowa Educator Award was awarded to Dr. Beth Doran - Iowa State University Extension & Outreach in Orange City, IA

2015 Awards

  • Iowa Feedyard Award was awarded to Justin & Amber Reiter, R Land and Cattle LLC - Bernard, IA
  • Iowa BQA Award was awarded to Scott Birker, Birker Family Farmes - Vinton, IA
  • Iowa Educator Award was awarded to Dr. Jason Hall and Dr. Skylar Speer, Summit Veterinary Service - Winterset, IA

2014 Awards

  • Iowa BQA Award was awarded to Nodaway Valley Feeders - Nodaway, IA
  • Iowa Marketer Award was awarded to Tama Livestock Auction - Tama, IA

2012 Awards

  • Iowa BQA Award was awarded to Gregory Feedlots - Tabor, IA
  • Iowa Marketer Award was awarded to Knoxville Regional Livestock Market - Knoxville, IA   

2011 Iowa BQA Award was awarded to Couser Cattle Company, Nevada, IA

2010 Iowa BQA Award was awarded to Morris Larson, Spencer Livestock Sales, Spencer, IA