Western Regional Beef Quality Assurance Program

1
Western Regional Beef Quality Assurance Program
www.bqa.wsu.edu
2
Overview

• Introduction
• BQA History
• National Beef Quality Audits
• Top 10 Beef Industry Goals
• Regional BQA Core Curriculum Best Management
  Practices (BMP)
• BMP 1 Recordkeeping
• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• BMP 3 Feed and Additives

3
Overview

• Regional BQA Core Curriculum (cont.)
• BMP 4 Animal Health Products and Practices
• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• BMP 7 Marketing
• BMP 8 Genetics
• BMP 9 BioSecurity Basics
• BQA Certification
• Summary and Conclusion

4
Introduction

• MISSION
• To maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of
  beef by focusing producers attention on daily
  production practices that influence the safety,
  wholesomeness and quality of beef and beef
  products.

5
Introduction (cont.)

• Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a pre-harvest
  supply chain management concept that ensures
  domestic and international beef consumers enjoy
  ready access to a safe, wholesome, and healthy
  beef supply

6
Introduction (cont.)

• Common Sense Science
• Promotes confidence in U.S. Beef
• Commitment to quality beef production
• Ranch
• Feedlot
• Processing

7

• BQA takes a commitment from every segment within
  the cattle industry.

8
Funding

• State Beef Councils
• National Beef Checkoff
• Variety of other sources
• States are in charge of their own programs
• Participation in the BQA program is voluntary and
  is not regulated by the government

9

• BQA History
• Late 1970s/Early 1980s
• Originally called Beef Safety Assurance
• Aimed at assuring beef remained free of volatile
  chemical residues
• Targeted real and perceived beef safety issues
• Discouraged inappropriate use of blended
  antibiotics being used at some feedyards

"BQA practices provide cattlemen an important
tool in avoiding additional and burdensome
government regulation. Its a process of figuring
out what could go wrong, plan to avoid it then
validate and document what you have done. BQA is
just part of good business."
Dee Griffin, DVM, University of Nebraska
10

• BQA History (cont.)
• Mid 1980s/1990s
• Using principles developed by Pillsbury for food
  quality control in NASAs space program
• Template based off of Pillsbury novel Hazard
  Analysis, Critical Control Point (HACCP) program
• Cadre of feedlots certified by the USDA
  utilizing this template
• Concept matured in mid-1990s as Beef Quality
  Task Force researched why and where beef quality
  fell short of final customers expectations

11

• National Beef Quality Audits
• Benchmarks
• 1991 National Beef Quality Audit
• 1st comprehensive audit of beef carcasses
• Loss of nearly 280 per animal due to quality
  defects (lack of marbling, excess fat, and other
  defects, including injection site
  blemishes/lesions)
• Reduction of injection site lesions among major
  success stories
• Shifted focus from fed beef to non-fed beef (cull
  bulls and cows) and the beef they produce

The U.S. beef industry continues to support the
concept of National Beef Quality Audits as
periodic measurements of how the industry is
performing and the direction it is moving.
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• National Beef Quality Audits
• Benchmarks
• 1994 Non-fed Beef Quality Audit
• Identified Top 10 defects in non-fed animals were
  due mainly to pre-harvest management practices
• Manage animals properly
• Monitor animals correctly
• Market animals appropriately
• Equates to recouping 70/head marketed

13

• National Beef Quality Audits
• Benchmarks
• 2005 National Beef Quality Audit

End-User Opinions of Greatest Improvements in
Beef Quality Since 2000 Improved
microbiological safety Improved cattle genetics
(i.e., more Angus) and beef of higher USDA
Quality Grades Fewer injection-site lesions
Funded, in part, by beef and veal producers and
importers through their 1-per-head check off
through the Cattlemens Beef Board, State Beef
Councils and by the National Cattlemens
14

• National Beef Quality Audits
• Benchmarks
• 2005 National Beef Quality Audit

End-User Opinions of Top Beef Quality Defects
Lack of uniformity/consistency in marbling and
tenderness Cuts are too large for foodservice
restaurant trade Excess fat Abscesses/lesions
in cuts, trimmings variety meats
Blood-splashed muscle
15

• National Beef Quality Audits
• Benchmarks
• 2005 National Beef Quality Audit

End-User Opinions of Future Issues for the Beef
Industry New bacterial pathogens Additional
BSE issues Market access export requirements
(age source) Price of beef so high that it
cannot compete Eating inconsistencies Animals
keep getting bigger (weight/size problems)
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• National Beef Quality Audits
• Benchmarks
• 2005 National Beef Quality Audit

Defining Quality Beef Quality beef consistently
satisfies customer expectations for eating and
preparation characteristics Quality beef safe,
wholesome, and correctly labeled and
packaged Quality beef can also be identified
subjectively through USDAs official beef quality
grading system
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• Top Ten Beef Industry Goals for 2010
• Clarify beef market signals that encourage
  production of cattle, carcasses and cuts that
  conform to industry targets.
• Move expeditiously toward source and age
  verification to build supply lines of cattle to
  fit domestic and export markets.
• Minimize production of excess fat.
• Strive for uniformity/consistency in cattle
  production.
• Consider tenderness in genetic and management
  decisions.

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• Top Ten Beef Industry Goals for 2010
• Target weights that optimize profitability
  without creating productivity or
  product-desirability problems.
• Recognize the importance of marbling as a
  value-determining trait.
• Use results of instrument assessments of cattle,
  carcasses and cuts to make genetic and management
  decisions.
• Foster communication among sectors of the beef
  supply chain.
• Select management practices that do not decrease
  the value of the hide.

19
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 1 Record Keeping
• Key element of BQA
• Numerous packages
• Integrated Resource Management (IRM-Redbook) has
  been used for over 20yrs
• For effective record keeping maintain
• Treatments or vaccines received
• ID of animals being shipped or received
• Minimum of (3) years
• When / Where / Why
• Weights

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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 1 Record Keeping
• Records should include
• Identification methods
• Herd health records
• Feed inventory
• Procedures
• Processing
• Breeding
• Calving
• Selling performance and confidence is built on
  trust

Records Document Best Management Practices
21
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Producers Code of Cattle Care
• Provide necessary food, water and care to protect
  the health and well-being of animals
• Provide disease prevention practices to protect
  herd health, including access to veterinary care
• Provide facilities that allow safe, humane, and
  efficient movement and/or restraint of cattle
• Use appropriate methods to humanely euthanize
  terminally sick or injured livestock and dispose
  of them properly

22
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Producers Code of Cattle Care (cont.)
• Provide employees with training to properly
  handle and care for cattle
• Keep up-to-date on advancements and changes in
  the industry to make decisions based on sound
  production practices and consideration for animal
  well-being
• Make timely observations of cattle to ensure
  basic needs are being met
• Persons who willfully mistreat animals will not
  be tolerated
• Minimize stress when transporting cattle

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Regional BQA Core Curriculum
BMP 2 Care and Handling
Old Attitude
Im going to MAKE that animal
do what I want. New
Attitude
Im going to LET that animal do what I
want.
24
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Principles of Animal Behavior
• Natural circling
  behavior
• Cattle vision
• Flight zone
• Noise

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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Culling Management
• Horns and excessive brands
• Birdshot and buckshot
• Injection site lesions
• Poor body condition
• Carcass bruises
• Cancer eye
• Illness

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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Facility Design
• Chutes
• Adjusted for size of cattle going through
• Solid gates and sides for chutes to limit
  distractions
• Curved ramps and alleys with 13-16 radius
• Loading ramps
• 3.5 rise on stairsteps
• 12 tread
• Round crowd pens
• Non-slip flooring recommended
• Be aware of protruding objects

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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Transportation
• Starting, stopping, and cornering
• Slowly and gently especially during 1st hour
• Ride should be as smooth as possible
• Animal density
• Always observe proper density and loading numbers
  for trailer being used
• Divider panels can help
• Heat and cold stress
• Be aware of wind chill and humidity factors
• Work around dangerous conditions when possible

28
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 2 Care and Handling
• Transportation (cont.)
• Heat and cold stress
• Be aware of wind chill and humidity factors
• Work around dangerous conditions when possible
• Shipping Fever (Bovine Respiratory Disease)
• Common cause is pneumonia
• Stress weakens the immune system

29
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition
• Direct impact on herd production efficiency and
  immunity
• Life-long factors important for both fed and
  non-fed cattle
• Body Condition Scores

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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

Areas useful for visually determining BCS in beef
cows (Elanco Animal Health)
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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

Y Yes N No SL Slight S Some EX
Extreme F Full A All
32
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 1. Emaciated with muscle atrophy and no
detectable fat. Tail head and ribs project
predominantly. Animal physically weak.
BCS 2. Poor condition with muscle atrophy and no
detectable fat. Tail head and ribs prominent.
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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 3. Thin condition. Slight muscle atrophy. All
ribs visible. Very little detectable fat.
34
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 4. Borderline condition. Outline of spine
slightly visible. Outline of 3 to 5 ribs visible.
Some fat over ribs and hips.
35
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 5. Moderate, good overall appearance. Outline
of spine no longer visible. Outline of 1-2 ribs
visible. Fat over hips but still visible.
36
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 6. High moderate condition. Ribs and spine no
longer visible. Pressure applied to feel bone
structure. Some fat in brisket and flanks.
37
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 7. Good, fleshy appearance. Hips slightly
visible but ribs and spine not visible. Fat in
brisket and flanks with slight udder and tail
head fat.
BCS 8. Fat, fleshy and over-conditioned. Bone
structure not visible. Large patchy fat deposits
over ribs, around tail head and brisket.
38
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Nutrition (cont.)

BCS 9. Extremely fat, wasty and patchy. Mobility
possibly impaired. Bone structure not visible.
Extreme fat deposits over ribs, around tail head
and brisket.
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Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• The first step in quality management is to
  recognize that everything entering the animals
  through feed has the potential to impact beef
  quality
• Be aware of
• Bacteria/natural organisms
• Leaking fluids
• Violative antibiotic residues
• Chemical contamination

40
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Storage and Disposal
• Store all equipment, fluids, solvents, etc.
  separate from the feed storage or feed production
  areas
• Consider all chemicals potential hazards and
  store them away from feed and mixing areas
• Ruminant By-Products
• FDAs Animal Proteins Prohibited from Ruminant
  Feed established in 1997

41
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Ruminant By-Products (cont.)
• Helps prevent BSE
• Ruminant Feed Ban regulation
• Exceptions
• Inspected meat products which have been cooked
• Pure porcine/pure equine protein

42
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Ruminant By-Products (cont.)
• Ruminant Feed Ban regulation
• Exceptions
• Blood and blood by-products
• Milk and milk protein
• Gelatin
• Feed Additives
• To prevent or treat diseases/parasites
• Use carefully and follow product label

43
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Extra-labeling
• Strictly prohibited by law
• DVMs prescription is needed
• Fats
• Ensure they dont contain residues
• Request information from suppliers
• Quality and Stability of product
• Efficacy and Consistency of product

44
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Handling/Monitoring Feedstuffs
• Obtain/store a representative sample
• If purchasing outside feedstuffs
• Sampling program for
• Moisture, proteins, nitrates, etc.
• Most suppliers have QC measures in place which
  check for PCBs, CHCs, organophosphates,
  herbicides/pesticides, etc.
• Reputable suppliers would be glad to share test
  results

45
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Handling/Monitoring Feedstuffs (cont.)
• Other items to monitor
• Odor
• Color
• Moisture
• Temperature
• Birds/rodents
• Foreign materials
• Insect contamination

46
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Feedstuffs and Sources
• Pesticides and conditions must be FDA/USDA/EPA
  approved
• Training for pesticide handling available for all
  who work with such products
• Should include
• Personal safety
• Handling spills
• Feed and water contamination prevention

47
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Byproducts and Additives
• Per FDA regulations
• No ruminant-derived protein sources (ex MBM)
• Feeding byproducts should support sound science
• Use only recommended rates
• Avoid violative residues
• Follow FDA labels instructions
• No extra-label use of byproducts

48
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 3 Feed and Additives
• Chemicals, Fluids, Other Contaminants
• Treat all chemicals as potential hazards
• Regularly check all feed-handling equipment for
  leaks/spillage
• Clean up spills immediately
• If feed-poisoning is suspected, imperative to
  receive diagnostic assistance as soon as possible
  to confirm

49
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• The Local Veterinarian
• Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR)
  defined
• DVM assumes responsibility for making medical
  judgments regarding health of animal and client
  agrees to follow instructions of DVM
• DVM recently seen and personally acquainted with
  the animal and premises
• Practicing DVM is readily available to follow up
  in case of adverse reactions or failure of
  regimen of therapy

50
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Vaccines and Biologics
• Always read labels thoroughly to ensure proper
  administration

51
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Vaccines and Biologics (cont.)
• Selecting the right products
• Determine target pathogen(s) or pest(s)
• Work with DVM to establish best vaccine or
  product for your operation
• Vaccine/medicine handling storage
• Prevent exposure to
• Heat or freezing temperatures
• Moisture
• UV light

52
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Vaccines and Biologics (cont.)
• Vaccine/medicine handling storage
• Always read directions before use
• Check expiration dates
• Observe manufacturers guidelines
• Use quality syringes and needles
• Inspect and maintain all components of automatic
  syringe
• Draw from vaccine vial with sterile needles
• Change needles often between animals to reduce
  tissue irritation and infection

53
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Vaccines and Biologics (cont.)
• Vaccine/medicine handling storage
• Administer in recommended site (neck region only)
• Booster all vaccines when required
• Store animal health products away from feed
  ingredient unless they are regularly used as feed
  additives

54
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Vaccines and Biologics (cont.)
• Vaccine/medicine handling storage
• NEVER
• Leave vaccines in direct sunlight, UV light, or
  freezing conditions
• Leave vaccines unrefrigerated
• Use dirty needles
• Place vaccine in hip, round
  or loin of animal
• Dont assume anything!!

55
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Injection Site Care
• Injection site blemishes have been a costly
  problem for years
• Almost all injectable products cause tissue
  irritation or lesions
• Three types of lesions
• Active-fluid filled
• Woody callous
• Discoloration

Inject only in the neck region.
56
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Injection Techniques
• Intravenous (IV) into a vein
• Intramuscular (IM) into a muscle
• Subcutaneous (subQ) under the skin
• ALL IM and subQ injections into the front of the
  shoulders, in the neck region

Tent technique for SubQ injections
57
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Injection Techniques
• Provide proper restraint to avoid breaking
  needles in animals tissue
• IM site do not exceed 10cc
• Exceeding this will increase tissue damage, alter
  withdrawal time, and may cause testing
  requirement before cattle ready for consumption
• Utilize other animal health products (orally,
  topically, subQ) when possible

58
Injection Techniques
Thick Ligament (Ligamentum nuchae)
Vertebrae
Injections should be made inside this red
triangle, in the neck, in front of the shoulder.
Large Vessels Jugular Vein Carotid Artery
59
Injection Techniques SubQ Tent
60
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Injection Site Lesions
• Caused by scar tissue from IM injections
• Can travel deep into tissue
• Tenderness impacted within 3 diameter of
  resulting lesion

61
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care
• Select proper size to fit the animal
• Select proper diameter (gauge) to fit viscosity
  of product
• Select proper length to fit route of
  administration

62
Selection of Needle Size
63
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• When to change needles/syringes
• Bended needles - IMMEDIATELY
• Contamination
• Needle point damage/burs develop
• Before needle becomes dull (10-15 cattle)
• Between cattle with blood borne disease
• DVMs instructions

64
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Broken needles
• Restrain animals properly
• DO NOT straighten and reuse bent needles
• Replace broken needles - IMMEDIATELY

65
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Broken needles
• Develop procedure to deal with broken needles
• If needle remains in animal, mark insertion
  location
• If needle cannot be removed, contact DVM
  immediately to have it surgically removed
• If needle still cannot be removed, record animal
  ID and ensure it is never sold or leaves ranch

66
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Needle disposal
• DVM can supply a sharps container
• Syringe cleaning steps
• Clean external surface with soap, water, and
  brush
• Rinse inside components of syringe including
  tubes/connectors with distilled or de-ionized
  water near boiling point (180F)
• 3-5 rinses should be adequate

67
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Syringe cleaning steps
• Remove as much water as possible from inside of
  syringe and let cool
• Do not use soap or disinfectant on the inside of
  syringes as residues may inactivate MLV vaccines
• Store syringe in dust free, dry (low humidity)
  environment
• Ziploc bagged and in freezer if possible
• Allow back to room temp before re-use

68
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Residue avoidance
• Simple to manage
• Follow label instructions and ensure proper
  withdrawal time has elapsed before marketing
  cattle
• Drug Use
• Proper dosage
• Proper duration
• Proper injection site
• Proper withdrawal time

READ THE LABEL
69
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Implants
• Middle-third of backside of ear
• Subcutaneous
• Routine inspections
• Document inspections

70
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Needle/Syringe Care (cont.)
• Implants (cont.)
• FDA approves and regulates use of all growth
  promoting implants
• Optimal response depends on
• Sanitation
• Proper implanting techniques
• Use appropriate implanting equipment
• Over 22 different brand names

71
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Parasite Control
• Both internal and external parasites have impact
  on cattle performance and quality
• Liver damage liver flukes
• Hide quality horn/heel flies
• Muscle damage
• Digestive tract
  disorders

72
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Product Use
• Record of pesticide/insecticide use
• Product ID
• Serial/Lot number
• Date used
• Amount used
• Person administering
• Animal(s) exposed
• Withdrawal time
• Sample of form

73
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Product Use (cont.)
• Pesticides have proven to be effective when
  proper dosages and routes of administration are
  used
• Only use approved products
• Extreme caution when using petrochemicals
• Compounds are routinely screened at harvest
• Overexposure can leave harmful violative residues
  behind

74
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 4 Animal Health Products Practices
• Product Use (cont.)
• Overdosing Extra labeling (dont do it)
• Residue problems occur more frequently in cull
  and realizer cattle than in health cattle or
  yearlings
• Always wear disposable, latex protective gloves
  when applying insecticide ear tags

75
Regional BQA Core Curriculum
A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of
Antimicrobials in Cattle
Prevent Problems Emphasize appropriate
husbandry and hygiene, routine health
examinations, and vaccinations. Select and Use
Antibiotics Carefully Consult with your
veterinarian on the selection and use of
antibiotics. Have a valid reason to use an
antibiotic. Therapeutic alternatives should be
considered prior to using antimicrobial
therapy. Avoid Using Antibiotics Important In
Human Medicine As First Line Therapy Avoid using
as the first antibiotic those medications that
are important to treating strategic human or
animal infections.
76
Regional BQA Core Curriculum
A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of
Antimicrobials in Cattle Use the Laboratory to
Help You Select Antibiotics Cultures and
susceptibility test results should be used to aid
in the selection of antimicrobials, whenever
possible. Combination Antibiotic Therapy Is
Discouraged Unless There Is Clear Evidence The
Specific Practice Is Beneficial Select and dose
an antibiotic to affect a cure. Avoid
Inappropriate Antibiotic Use Confine therapeutic
antimicrobial use to proven clinical indications,
avoiding inappropriate uses such as for viral
infections without bacterial complication.
77
Regional BQA Core Curriculum
A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of
Antimicrobials in Cattle Treatment Programs
Should Reflect Best Use Principles Regimens for
therapeutic antimicrobial use should be optimized
using current pharmacological information and
principles. Treat the Fewest Number of Animals
Possible Limit antibiotic use to sick or at risk
animals. Treat for the Recommended Time Period
To minimize the potential for bacteria to become
resistant to antimicrobials.
78
Regional BQA Core Curriculum
A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of
Antimicrobials in Cattle Avoid Environmental
Contamination with Antibiotics Steps should be
taken to minimize antimicrobials reaching the
environment through spillage, contaminated ground
run off or aerosolization. Keep Records of
Antibiotic Use Accurate records of treatment
and outcome should be used to evaluate
therapeutic regimens and always follow proper
withdrawal times. Follow Label Directions Follow
label instructions and never use antibiotics
other than as labeled without a valid veterinary
prescription.
79
Regional BQA Core Curriculum
A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of
Antimicrobials in Cattle Extra Label Antibiotic
Use Must follow FDA Regulations Prescriptions,
including extra label use of medications must
meet the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification
Act amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act and its regulations. This includes having a
valid Veterinary-Client-Relationship. Sub-therapeu
tic Antibiotic Use Is Discouraged Antibiotic use
should be limited to prevent or control disease
and should not be used if the principle intent is
to improve performance.
80
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Vaccinations
• Purchase vaccines from reputable dealer
• Properly store vaccines
• Handling vaccines
• Transport in closed, refrigerated container
• Keep vaccine cool while processing cattle
• Only mix Modified Live (ML) product within an
  hour of use
• Purchase smaller containers with fewer doses when
  processing fewer cattle

81
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Dehorning
• Prior to 120days of age
• Several methods available
• Caustic liquid/paste applied to the button of
  calves during first few weeks
• NOT during rainy weather
• Hot iron or electronic dehorners
• For older calves with developing horns
• Scoop method
• Cauterize adjacent blood vessels

82
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Castration
• Shortly after birth, but no later than 120 days
• Early castration reduces stress impact on animal

83
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Identification
• Necessary for several production related reasons
• Necessary to deter cattle rustling and aid in
  disease outbreak prevention
• Enhances management practices
• Genetics
• Diseased animals
• Feedlot cattle

84
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Branding
• Permanent means of identification which
  establishes proof of ownership
• Brand inspections are required in some states
• Placement
• Can impact value of hide
• High on hip, close to tailhead
  (for freezing and hot iron)

85
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Visual Tags
• Many styles
• Not meant to be permanent
• Easy and quick to apply
• Less restraint of animal
• Apply in area where less blood
  vessels are to reduce bleeding

86
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• EID
• Ability to track and store data on animal
• Can be permanent or non-permanent
• Tattoo
• Permanent marking inside ear
• Commonly used to identify purebred herds
• Not easily accomplished
• Personnel, animal restraint, and
  proper equipment

87
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Wattles
• Usually done in colder climates
• Creates short term stress when procedure is
  performed, but allows for less handling of the
  animal for ID purposes
• Some buyers specifically do not buy animals
  identified this way (Burger King)
• Allows cow to build up BCS before birth of next
  calf
• Stressful time for cow/calf
• Proper nutrition, management, and vaccination
  before weaning have proven to reduce or eliminate
  post-weaning diseases at home and in the feedlot

88
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 5 Cattle Processing
• Weaning
• Stress management
• Fence line weaning
• Several days of fence line contact w/out nursing
• Requires adequate facilities
• Feeding
• Watering
• Dust control
• Structurally sound fence

89
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Ensuring palatability
• Flavor
• Determined by compounds
  in intramuscular fat or marbling
  of beef muscle
  tissue
• Varies with genetics, nutrition, health, and
  several other factors
• Juiciness
• Determined by amounts of moisture and marbling in
  muscle after its been cooked

90
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Ensuring palatability (cont.)
• Tenderness
• Determined by amount of connective tissue,
  marbling, and activity of active enzymes that
  breakdown muscle proteins after slaughter
• Temperament, handling, castration, growth
  implants, and IM injections all play role in
  palatability

91
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Ensuring palatability (cont.)
• 2005 NBQA
• 19.2 Average and High Choice
• 2.9 USDA Prime Beef
• Majority range between 36.7 USDA Select and 35
  USDA Low Choice
• Only slight amounts of marbling
• Challenge to beef industry
• Eliminating the 6.2 of USDA Standard that
  usually equates poor eating experience

92
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Marbling
• Request seedstock suppliers to report the
  Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) for carcass
  traits
• Degrees of marbling
• Abundant through Devoid
• Maturity levels
• A through E

93
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Marbling (cont.)

94
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Marbling (cont.)

95
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• USDA Yield Grades
• 1 through 5
• Meat graders assign a yield grade by evaluating
• Amount of external fat
• Hot carcass weight
• Amount of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat
• Area of the ribeye muscle

96
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• USDA Yield Grades (cont.)

97
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Birdshot/Buckshot in Meat
• NEVER use a shotgun or scatter gun to gather
  unruly animals
• Lead birdshot/buckshot cannot be detected by
  metal detection devices
• Lead is considered an adulterant by the FDA
• If shot is found during ground beef production,
  entire lot condemned!

98
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Dark Cutters
• Loss of 5.43 per animal (NBQA 2000)
• Pre-harvest stress depletes muscle glycogen
• Other contributing factors
• Genetics and disposition
• Growth promotants
• Handling
• Weather

99
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Dark Cutters (cont.)
• Reducing dark cutter losses
• Implants
• Data from Colorado State Univ.
• Lower incidence per pen when time from
  re-implantation to harvest gt 100 days
• Environment
• Hot weather when temps fluctuate over short
  periods of time
• Highest during cold weather precipitation
• Increased rate of body heat loss

100
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Dark Cutters (cont.)
• Reducing dark cutter losses
• Mixing different groups of cattle
• Dont mix strange animals between 24-48hrs of
  slaughter
• Mixing bulls can cause dark cutters within 90mins
• Crowding
• Genetics temperament is inherited
• Feedlots
• Start up cattle stand longer

101
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Dark Cutters (cont.)
• Carcass bruises
• Costs industry 22 million in trim at processing
• Common causes are
• Rough/careless handling causes more than 50 of
  all bruises
• Protruding objects
• Horns

102
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 6 Carcass Quality
• Dark Cutters (cont.)
• Carcass bruises
• Prevention
• Poll cattle
• Dehorn (manual or genetic)
• Gates dont slam gates into animals
• Protruding objects repair broken boards, nails,
  exposed bolts, etc.
• Fences install planks or sheet metal on sides
  that are used to handle animals
• Belly rails if both sides

103
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Source and Age Verified Cattle Marketing Programs
• Definitions
• Beef Export Verification Program (BEV)
• A BEV is a series of product requirements that
  the USDA and an export market (example-Japan)
  agree upon and demand of any supplier wishing to
  export beef into that countrys marketplace. The
  supplier must have in place, or be a part of a
  USDA-approved Quality Systems Assessment (QSA)
  program or a Process Verified Program (PVP) that
  meets all of the BEV requirements.

104
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Source and Age Verified Cattle Marketing Programs
  (cont.)
• Definitions
• Beef Export Verification Program (BEV)
• Derived from cattle that is 20months of age or
  younger at time of harvest to be eligible
• NOTE Neither Japan nor USDA specify visual vs.
  electronic ID so long as each calf is uniquely
  and individually identified and that identifier
  matches all records. Individual programs may have
  specific tagging requirements

105
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Source and Age Verified Cattle Marketing Programs
  (cont.)
• Definitions
• Quality Systems Assessment Program (QSA)
• Each program may have unique features but the
  basic elements outlined by USDA will require the
  producer to identify animals, document birth
  dates and have a written management system.
• 43 USDA approved programs
• Details http//www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/bev.htm

106
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Source and Age Verified Cattle Marketing Programs
  (cont.)
• Definitions
• Process Verified
  Program (PVP)

107
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Source and Age Verified Cattle Marketing Programs
  (cont.)
• Definitions
• Process Verified Program (cont.)
• 26 USDA approved programs
• Details http//processverified.usda.gov/
• Whats it all mean?
• The U.S. and Japanese governments have laid
  requirements for exporting beef
• Only concerned with
• Age of animal at harvesting
• Traceable back to ranch of origin

108
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Source and Age Verified Cattle Marketing Programs
  (cont.)
• Whats it all mean? (cont.)
• Ensure thorough communication so that you know
  what you are signing
• Producers CANNOT be represented as eligible for
  export to Japan if they arent enrolled in a QSA
  or PVP
• Participation is absolutely voluntary
• Value-added opportunity for everyone in the
  marketing chain

109
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Market Timing

550 lb Steer Monthly Seasonal Index
110
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Cow Marketing

Seasonal Cow Prices1997-2006 (USDA)
46 44 42 40 38 38
/cwt utility cow
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG
SEP OCT NOV DEC
111
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Price Makers
• Calf weight affects price more than anything else
• 1200lb 70/cwt
• 800lb 80/cwt
• 500lb 90/cwt
• When corn is
  normally priced

112
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Uniformity, Quality, and Volume
• Uniformity and Quality
• Cow herd and type of bull
• Short breeding season
• Volume
• Truckload lots of steers or
  heifers
• Sometimes owners
  collaborate

113
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Feed Calf Grades
• Framesize skeletal measurement (L,M,S)
• Thickness muscling (L1,L2,L3,L4,M1,M2,M3,
  M4,S1,S2,S3,S4, Inferior)
• Thriftiness

Steers
Heifers Frame size Estimated
harvest weight lbs. Small 1100
1000 Medium 1100-1250
1000-1150 Large gt1250
gt1150
114
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Shrink and Its Meaning
• Due to loss of gut fill and/or tissue loss
• Both buyers and sellers concerned
• Increased likelihood of getting sick
• Pasture weight gt market/delivery weight
• Recovery from shrink 5-30 days
• Buyers usually want 2-4 discount
• Dont leave cattle overnight without feed or
  water

115
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Time and Distance
• Affect on gross shrink
• When water and feed unavailable
• 1 per hour for first 3-4hrs
• .25 per hour for next 10hrs
• Amount of fill affects degree of shrink
• Ensure calves weaned and on hay-grain or
  conditioning diet
• Will result in less shrink than shipping directly
  off grass and milk
• Additional stress added when shipped directly off
  their dams

116
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Time and Distance (cont.)
• Handling and shipping
• Quietly
• Directly to final destination with minimal time
• Both buyer and seller will benefit
• Weight loss, stress, and cost to regain pay
  weight are minimized

117
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 7 Marketing
• Time and Distance (cont.)
• Dos and Donts for Feeder Calf Producers
• As you manage cattle during transfer of owner
• Minimize handling/holding times
• Maintain regular diet before shipment
• Dont overfill shipment
• Handle calves quietly, carefully, and slowly
  during loading, and hauling to minimize stress
• Make every effort not to move calves during
  periods of heat stress

118
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Five Steps to Consistency in the Cow Herd
• 1) Removal
• Remove largest and smallest
  framed cows
• Match with uniform
  females
• Do same with extreme-
  muscle cows

Uniformity and consistency of the final beef
product remains one of the primary goals and
challenges of the U.S. beef industry.
119
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Five Steps to Consistency in the Cow Herd (cont.)
• 2) One Breed
• Pick one bull from one breed
• Stay away from multiple bulls and breeds
• 3) Visual Indicators
• Select bull based on EPDs, frame size, and
  muscling
• 4) Color
• Perception and appearance sell most feeder cattle
• If you choose same color you will inadvertently
  make carcass quality more uniform as well

120
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Five Steps to Consistency in the Cow Herd (cont.)
• 5) Data collection1
• Gather as much data as possible on calf
  performance in feedlots and the packing house

121
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs)
• Is the difference in performance (measured in
  pounds, percent, inches, etc.) expected in
  progeny, or offspring, of individual sires
• Sire summaries published by breed associations
  give up to date genetic evaluations
• Unbiased prediction procedures
• EPD is always the best estimate of animals
  genetic worth

122
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Expected Progeny Differences (cont.)
• Expressed in actual units of measure for a given
  trait
• Birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), and
  yearling weight (YW) are expressed in pounds
• Used to compare two bulls (or females) within a
  breed
• Predicted differences in the average performance
  of those two animals progeny

123
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Expected Progeny Differences (cont.)

124
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 8 Genetics
• Across-Breed EPDs (AB-EPDs)
• Developed to help manage genetic uniformity when
  multiple breeds are rotated in a crossbreeding
  system
• Understanding how to use within- and across-breed
  EPDs is important for successful beef cattle with
  the genetic potential to excel in their
  environment
• Adjustment Factors Document

125
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 9 BioSecurity Basics
• BioSecurity
• BioContainment
• Biological Risk Management

Addressing the potential of a disease organism or
disease complex entering or spreading within a
beef cattle operation. 
126
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 9 BioSecurity Basics
• BioSecurity and Disease Control
• Most effective and inexpensive way of disease
  control
• Reduction in
• Treatment costs
• Treatment events
• Overall improvement of herd health, performance,
  and welfare
• Less chance for carcass defects due to
  injections, handling, and stress

127
Regional BQA Core Curriculum

• BMP 9 BioSecurity Basics
• BioSecurity and Disease Control (cont.)
• BioSecurity Practices for Ranch/Feedlot
• Vaccinate the herd against all endemic diseases
• Screen animals for suspected disease problems
• Isolate all sick animals into a de