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FARM, BQA Host Veterinarians at AABP Annual Conference

October 18, 2017

For the second year, the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program and the National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program hosted a half-day session on Sept. 14 at the AABP Annual Conference in Omaha, Neb.

Dr. Keith Belk and Dr. Jeff Savell provided results of the cull cow and bull component of the National Beef Quality Audit conducted in 2016. The results showed advancement in the quality of beef products that both dairy and beef producers provide to the market. Dr. Hans Coetzee and Dr. Nigel Cook shared their perspectives on today’s emerging issues. Ranging from housing styles to pain management, both presenters spoke about pressure points from customers and consumers that the dairy industry must address, with continuous improvement in cow care at the forefront.

The final portion of the session consisted of a crisis drill, which allowed attendees to role-play different food chain stakeholders confronting a drug residue violation. Recognizing decisions from a different point of view was not only entertaining but challenging to the participants.

The shared FARM-BQA booth was a popular stop for veterinarians and industry stakeholders to grab copies of the FARM Drug Residue Pocket Guide. The Pocket Guides are available from the FARM Store.

FARM teamed up with BQA again at this year’s World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., to share the results of the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) commissioned by the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. According to the results, the cattle industry continues to make progress in reducing defects that negatively impact beef quality, but the industry should more effectively communicate beef’s benefits to consumers.