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IOWA BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM


BQA Online Certification

Are you looking to get BQA Certified, but want to do it from home? Do chores have you too busy to come to town for a BQA training event? Online training options are now available from anywhere, and Iowa qualifies! Get started today.

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Iowa BQA Regional Educators

Iowa BQA Coordinator - IBIC Director of Industry Relations | 515-296-2305 

Iowa Beef Specialists
 
Region 1 Educator - Beth Doran, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 2 Educator - Russ Euken, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 3 Educator - Denise Schwab, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 4 Educator - Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 5 Educator - Chris Clark, ISU Beef Specialist 
Region 6 Educator - Patrick Wall, ISU Beef Specialist 

Upcoming BQA Events

Earn your BQA Certification at one of our upcoming BQA Workshops.

Are you looking to get BQA Certified, but want to do it from home? Online training options are now available from anywhere, and Iowa qualifies! Get started today.

Pella, IA
Monday, April 6th 2026 | BQA training 6:00 pm 

Key Cooperative
109 South St. 
Pella, IA 50219

For more information: RSVP appreciated by contacting Pat Wall at 641-842-2014 or at [email protected]

Contact: Region 6 Educator - Pat Wall, ISU Beef Specialist


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Beef Quality Assurance

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) works to protect consumer confidence in our beef supply and to return more profits to producers. All individuals who have the opportunity to influence the quality and handling of cattle are encouraged to become certified. 

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BQA Transportation Program Shows Industry Commitment to Responsible Cattle Production

By Chase DeCoite, Director of Beef Quality Assurance, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the beef checkoff 

The checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program recently launched a training and certification program for cattle transportation. The program, known as Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT), provides cattle producers and haulers with comprehensive training based on their roles in the cattle industry. Online training launched in November 2017 and has quickly amassed over 700 enrollments by producers and cattle haulers from across the country.  Additionally, Cargill is supporting in-person training programs through the network of BQA state coordinators. 

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National Beef Quality Audit

The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) is a beef checkoff-funded evaluation that documents the progress the industry has made over the last five years. Additional NBQA information can be found here.

­­Iowa BQA Award winners

2025 Iowa BQA Marketer Award

Equity Livestock Cooperative from Waukon, IA prioritizes BQA principles to ensure customer cattle are represented in the best light possible. 

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2025 Iowa BQA Educator Award

Dr. Cole Burrack goes above and beyond when it comes to helping the next generation of young producers learn about BQA. 

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2025 Iowa BQA Feedlot Award

Meet multi-generational feedlot J.W. Fruend Farms, Inc. from Lewis, IA and learn how their feedlot prioritizes BQA principles.

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2025 Iowa BQA Cow-Calf award

Jane Russell is respected as a voice for beef advocacy and is deeply passionate about low stress cattle handling. 

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