Beef quality producer training to be Jan. 29

All beef producers are invited to attend a training session on Jan. 29 for the Texas Beef Quality Producer program to sharpen their knowledge of Beef Quality Assurance principles, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with the program from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Donley County Activity Center north of Clarendon on SH 70. A complimentary lunch sponsored by Texas Beef Council will be served.

“Beef Quality Assurance is a national effort in the beef industry that focuses on proven management practices that help ensure safety and quality of beef,” said Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo.

“The Texas Beef Quality Producer program is developed for cow-calf and stocker producers in Texas,” McCollum said.

The program is a collaborative effort of AgriLife Extension, Texas Beef Council and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, he said. Funding is provided by Beef Checkoff dollars from the beef council and by the cattle raisers association.

In addition to focusing on the safety of beef products, the program informs producers on current industry concerns and how producers can help with increasing demand for cattle and beef, he said.

The training will cover Beef Quality Assurance principles, industry updates, record keeping, environmental stewardship, management practices associated with genetic selection, cattle handling, culling and use of animal health products, said Leonard Haynes, AgriLife Extension agriculture agent for Donley County.

Participants should RSVP by Jan. 23 to Stacy Fox at the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association at 800-242-7820 or sfox@texascattleraisers.org, or by contacting the AgriLife Extension office in Donley County at 806-874-2141.