By Heidi Carroll
Boehringer Ingelheim Inc. is generously sponsoring the BQA online certification program allowing beef and dairy producers to complete the certification training for FREE until April 15th, 2015. This saves producers $25 to $50 on the online certification modules offered through the Kansas State Beef Cattle Institute. This is a great opportunity to provide continued education and stockmanship training to all cattle employees and family members. Employee training is critical to raise cattle under best management practices that achieve a consistent level of care for all animals and results in high quality beef products.
Accessing the Training
To access the BQA online training, visit the Beef Quality Assurance website and click to enter the webpage containing the modules; the code you need to enter during registration is listed at the top of the page.
The modules contain slide shows and video footage on many topics in livestock handling and husbandry practices presented by industry experts. You can work through the modules at your own pace. Once you start a module, you can leave and later restart where you left off.
SD BQA Certification Cards
Upon completion of the online training, South Dakota producers become Level 1 BQA certified. Next producers work with the SD Beef Industry Council to develop, or update, a Site Plan and Treatment Plan for their operation. Producers consult with their veterinarian to establish a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) and review their Site Plan and Treatment Plan. Once the veterinarian signs off on their plan, they need to submit the signed last page of it to the SD Beef Industry Council. Once approved they receive a BQA certification card in the mail that contains their SD BQA certification number. Level 2 certification is required in South Dakota to be a BQA-certified producer and market calves as such.
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