DIMMITT Cow-calf and stocker cattle producers can hone their competitive edge by attending a Texas Beef Quality Producer Program on Aug. 15 in Dimmitt, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.
The program will be at the Dimmitt Expo Center, located 2-1/2 blocks north of State Highway 385 on S.E. Fourth Street.
Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. The Level I program will be at 8 a.m.-3 p.m. A complimentary lunch will be served. The Level II program will be 3-5 p.m.
The Texas Beef Quality Producer Program teaches the principles of beef quality assurance, said Dr. Ted McCollum, Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo.
The national Beef Quality Assurance program began in the 1980s as a voluntary program to maintain and improve the safety of beef products for consumers, McCollum said. The Texas program is for cow-calf and stocker producers.
The program will include eight hours of training, divided into two levels.
Level I covers quality assurance principles and focuses on the areas of food safety, beef quality and environmental stewardship, he said. Discussion will address management practices and decisions that influence these three areas.
Level II provides a detailed explanation of the requirements needed to receive and maintain full certification as a Texas Beef Quality Producer through Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, McCollum said. Producers do not have to be an association member to participate.
Although the program is free, persons planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Aug. 8. to Steve Young, Extension agent for agriculture in Castro County, at 806-647-4115, or McCollum at 806-677-5600.
The program is a collaborative effort of Extension, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and the Texas Beef Council.
Additional sponsors are Cargill Cattle Feeders, Pfizer Animal Health, Heritage Land Bank, AgriLand Farm Credit Services, Capital Farm Credit, AgTexas Farm Credit Services, Texas Land Bank, Southwest Texas ACA, Ag Credit of South Texas and Great Plains Ag Credit.
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