CORVALLIS, Ore. – Three beef quality assurance educational sessions, presented by Oregon State University Extension Service and the three western Oregon county livestock associations, are planned for February in Dallas, Wilsonville and Roseburg.

The events, called "Healthy Cattle Equals Quality Beef," will help Oregon beef producers apply quality assurance practices and become Beef Quality Assurance- certified.

The session in Dallas is Monday, Feb. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Academy Building and is co-sponsored by the Polk County Livestock Association. The session in Wilsonville is Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wilsonville Library and is sponsored by the Clackamas County Stockman's Association. The third session in Roseburg is Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Umpqua Community College. It is co-sponsored by the Douglas County Livestock Association.

Topics are:
• Management practices that inspire a commitment to quality production at every level;
• Beef production benchmarks through national BQA audits;
• Establishing best management practices as standard operating procedures;
• Documenting and verifying management and husbandry practices throughout the supply chain;
• Managing cattle to reduce the incidence of common cattle diseases;
• Preventing introduction and spread of foreign or emerging animal diseases.

Veterinarians will cover issues in beef cattle health and present recommended vaccination programs. Information about research in selenium fertilization will be presented.

"We also will demonstrate and discuss cattle management practices that are becoming more important to the industry as we continue to improve the quality and consistency of our beef products," said Cory Parsons, OSU Extension leader for beef quality assurance. More details are available online at http://www.bqa.wsu.edu/

"The trainings are informative, educational, community-oriented events for the entire family," Parsons said. "All beef producers, regardless of the size of the operation, are encouraged to attend and learn about this very important part of our day-to-day business."

Oregon beef quality assurance programming is part of a national education program to improve consumer confidence in the beef industry, focusing on the proper care and handling of livestock. It is sponsored in part by Beef Checkoff.

A registration fee of $15 for the Dallas and Wilsonville sessions and $10 for the Roseburg session will cover a meal and workshop materials, Pre-registration is requested. To pre-register, call Gene Pirelli at the OSU Extension office in Polk County at 503-623-8395 or Shelby Filley at the office in Douglas County at 541-672-4461.

Source: 

Gene Pirelli,
503-623-8395

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