It’s the 3-year mark for many Wisconsin farmers needing to get recertified in the Beef Quality Assurance program. In 2018, certain packers announced they would only purchase cattle from farms selling finished cattle that are BQA Certified.
The UW-Madison’s Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Beef Council will be hosting in-person Beef
Quality Assurance certification meetings over the coming months. Find a complete list of those meetings below.
Farmers needing to get recertified can also achieve that through two additional options:
- Online: https://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-certification
Log on and choose the Cow/Calf, Stocker/Backgrounder, or Feedyard courses. Once you’ve selected a course, you can work through each lesson at your own pace. The website will keep track of your progress, so you don’t need to complete the entire course at once.
- Continuing Education Credits: The BQA program is also offering new educational courses that will provide you with credit towards renewing your certification – this option is only available to farmers who hold a current BQA certification. By completing three continuing education credits from the options found on the website, your BQA expiration date will be extended by an additional three years. Available courses include BQA Transportation (2 credits), Biosecurity (1 credit), Foundations of Herd Health (1 credit), Principles of Stockmanship (1 credit), and Herd Health Management Practices (1 credit.) The Division of Extension also offers meetings throughout the year which offer CE credits.
See the in-person BQA certification meeting dates below. Registration will start 30 minutes prior to the listed start time. Please go to https://www.beeftips.com/cattlemens-corner/beef-quality-assurance/bqa-registration-form/ or call one of the County Extension offices or Wisconsin Beef Council at 1-800-728-2333 to register.
- Dec. 10, 2024 | 1 pm: Equity Coop Monroe, N1365 State Road 69, Monroe. 608-723-2125
- Dec. 13, 2024 | 1 pm: Watertown Public Library, 100 S. Water St., Watertown
- Jan 7, 2025 | 5 pm: Multi-purpose Building, 11974 Ames Rd, Darlington. 608-723-2125
- Jan. 11, 2025 | 9 am: Ice Age Pavilion, 847 Fayette Ave, Rib Lake. 715-748-1413
- Jan. 13, 2025 | 6 pm: UW-River Falls Mann Valley Farm, 129 S Glover Rd, River Falls
- Jan 16, 2025 | 12 pm: Equity Coop Lomira, N11579 Industrial Dr, Lomira. 920-294-4032
- Jan. 16, 2025 | 6 pm: Manchester Rod & Gun Club, W3614 S Gate Rd, Markesan. 920-294-4032
- Jan. 29, 2025 | 1 pm: Equity Coop Altoona, 5150 Hwy 53 South, Eau Claire. 715-748-1413
- Feb. 10, 2025 | 5 pm: Richland County Extension Office, 1100 US-14, Richland Center. 608-647-6148
