Beef Producers Promote Positive Image of Agriculture

A Chicago-area mom gave beef producers Mike and Lynn Martz and the entire Larson family the ultimate endorsement after touring their Maple Park farm Oct. 18. She expressed concerns about hormones in beef, but after a discussion about hormones in food from Mike she said she feels confident about choosing beef for dinner.

“I started this journey wondering many things: one of them was ‘Should I pay more for naturally raised, free range, non-hormone added beef? Is it worth the extra money per pound? Am I being an irresponsible parent to NOT want to pay the extra money in feeding my kids?’ Last week, at Larson Farms I got my answer – NO, there is no way I am paying extra. For me, it will be about the cut – not the hormones. In the end, when it comes to added hormones in my beef, ‘Frankly my dear I don’t give a beef.’,” said Lynn Prehm of Naperville.

Welcome to the third year of Illinois Farm Families (IFF) Field Moms – a program for Chicago-area mothers who have questions about farming and how their food is raised. IFF is a coalition of commodity groups for beef, pork, dairy, corn, soy and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

The Field Moms were able to tour the Larson Farms cattle handling facility and learned about the process of ultrasounding cattle. They also viewed the cattle in barns while Mike explained the benefits of confinement feeding from an animal welfare standpoint. He also showed the Field Moms a variety of cattle feeds and discussed nutrition.

 

Before a tapas-style lunch featuring a variety of hearty ground beef meals prepared by Larson Farms family member, Barb, the tour hosts presented a cooking demonstration, and explained marbling, steak selection, and the USDA beef grading system.

Mike pointed out the moms weren’t the only ones that learned from the experience.

“We get a better idea of our consumers and their thoughts,” he said. “The moms were very open-minded and had great questions. The Field Moms program is a great way to share our story about the beef industry.”

The tour was extended to 17 Field Moms and guests, a dietician and national blogger, and Rep. Robyn Gabel (R-Evanston) and constituents. After the tour, the Field Moms were asked to blog about their experience. Read their thoughts about the tour and beef at www.watchusgrow.com.

FREE BQA Certifications from Sept. 1-Oct. 31

For the third time, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) is supporting the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program by sponsoring all online certifications this fall for producers who enroll from Sept. 1-Oct. 31.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. BIVI will pick up the $25-$50 certification fee for beef or dairy producers who are interested in becoming certified or recertified during this period. Visit www.BQA.org/team to take advantage of the open certification period.

The BQA program is important to the cattle industry as it gives producers a set of best practices for producing a safe and high quality beef product. And for dairy producers, this offering is also beneficial as a large percentage of dairy calves and market cows make their way into the food chain.

The BQA certification modules are customized to fit the specific needs of each segment of the cattle industry – cow-calf, stocker, feedyard and dairy operations. The program covers best management practices such as proper handling and administration of vaccinations and other products, eliminating injection site blemishes, and better cattle-handling principles.

“One of the challenges that beef producers face is having all of their employees become BQA-certified,” says Dr. Jerry Woodruff, Professional Services Veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. “Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s partnership with BQA helps offset some of those expenses, and we encourage producers and their employees to use the web-based training programs.”

More than 11,000 producers have taken advantage of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s BQA certification partnership. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s partnership also includes financial support of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University, which developed the certification module.

To become BQA certified, or learn more about the program, visit www.BQA.org/team.

IBA Summer Conference

Cattlemen across Illinois should mark their calendars to attend the 2014 Illinois Beef Association (IBA) Summer Conference June 18-20, at the Isle of Capri Hotel Casino in Bettendorf, IA. Aside from the opportunity to fellowship with cattlemen that represent all sectors of the industry in Illinois, attendees will also get to meet and hear from leading cattle industry experts from around the country, and take part in unique tours.

The awards dinner and fundraising gala will officially kick off the conference and is scheduled for June 18, at 5 p.m. IBA scholarships, Seedstock Breeder of the Year, Commercial Breeder of the Year, Environmental Steward of the Year, Farm Family of the Year, and IBA membership awards will be presented.

The IBA Annual Meeting takes place on day two, June 19, at 8:30 a.m. and features the announcement of dues directors and IBA Checkoff Director elections, the approval of the IBA strategic plan, and the election of the Association president and vice president.

The Zoetis Cattlemen’s College will follow the annual meeting with a day of educational seminars. The speaker lineup will offer something for everyone from the feeder to seedstock producer and even grain farmers and political junkies. Speakers include Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Don Close, Rabo AgriFinance; Chris West, Frank & West Environmental Engineers, Inc.; Tom Brink, and Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of governmental affairs. Following the Zoetis Cattlemen’s College, dinner will be served at the River Music Experience at 5:30 p.m.

To top off the whole event, tour destinations on day three, June 20, will visit Tyson Foods in Joslin, Werner Angus, and US Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Visitors Center Locks and Dam 15.

For more information on the 2014 IBA Summer Conference and to register visit www.illinoisbeef.com.

Schedule:

Wednesday, June 18

1 p.m. Trade show exhibitor set up

3 p.m. Registration opens – Isle Prefunction

5 p.m. Social in the trade show – Isle Center Corridor

6 p.m. Awards Dinner and Fundraising Gala – Isle Center Salon A

Thursday, June 19

7:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet – Isle Center Salon A

8:30 a.m. Illinois Beef Association Annual Meeting – Isle Center Salon B/C

10 a.m. Zoetis Cattlemen’s College
     So you Thought you were Buying the Family Farm – Guess Again!

     Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

     Economic Trends in the Beef Business
     Don Close, Rabo AgriFinance

     Keeping up with Environmental Regulations
     Chris West, Frank & West Environmental Engineers, Inc.

12:30 p.m. Lunch Buffet – Isle Center Salon A

1:45 p.m. Continue Zoetis Cattlemen’s College

     Legislative Update from Washington D.C., 

     Colin Woodall, NCBA

     Keeping Your Farm In The Family For The Next Generation - Is There A Succession Plan?
     Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

     The Future of the Beef Industry 

     Tom Brink

4:30 p.m. Dismiss

5:30 p.m. Reception & Dinner – River Music Experience


Friday, June 20

7 a.m. Breakfast – Isle Center Salon A

8:30 a.m. Buses leave for tour

Bus A arrives for US Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi River Visitors Center Locks & Dam 15
Bus B arrives at Tyson, Joslin

11:45 a.m. Both buses arrive at Werner Angus, Cordova

Bus B departs for US Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi River Visitors Center Locks & Dam 15
Bus A departs for Tyson, Joslin

5 p.m. Both buses arrive back at Isle Convention Center

FREE BQA Certification for Producers

Are you doing your part for the beef industry by earning your BQA certification? Well, if you aren’t certified, have we got a deal for you!

For a second year, your checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program is giving you the chance to become certified for free thanks to a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) and the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) housed at Kansas State University. The cost of BQA certification is normally $25 to $50; however, from Feb. 3, through April 15, 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) will defray the cost of the certification or recertification, making it free. Visit www.bqa.org/team or www.BIVI-BQA.com to get started.

“BQA provides cattlemen with practical management tools they need to produce safe, high-quality beef for our consumers, says Ryan Ruppert, senior director of Beef Quality Assurance. “BQA also helps discover practices which can improve efficiency and ultimately, profitability.”

The BQA online programs are customized for cow/calf, stocker, feedlot and dairy operations. Developed and managed by the independent Beef Cattle Institute, these easy-to-use modules teach sound management techniques that can be applied to their operations. They also help cattle operations tell their story to consumers who might not understand all of the safety measures cattlemen take in producing the food on the table.

Beef Quality Assurance Workshops Scheduled

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) sessions will be held throughout Illinois 
in November and December. These sessions will provide beef producers up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality. 

Meeting dates and locations include: 

Nov. 21 – 6 p.m., American Legion, Lincoln 
Dec. 3 – 6 p.m., Lost in Time, Fairbury 
Dec. 10 – 6 p.m., Head Farms, Blue Mound 

“The Illinois BQA program is a proven education system that teaches sensible management practices that help improve the quality and safety of beef,” said Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist. “It clearly demonstrates how a producer’s actions on the farm have a huge impact on the final beef product.” 

Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that hopes to raise consumer confidence through offering proper management education and guidelines for the beef industry. 

A $25 fee includes the cost of a meal and training materials. Pre-registration is encouraged. Attendees should RSVP to Shelia Stannard at shelia@illinoisbeef.com or 217-787-4280. 

Beef Producers Promote Positive Image of Agriculture

Moms from the Chicago area toured Larson Farms of Maple Park and learned about the beef industry.

A Chicago-area mom gave beef producers Mike and Lynn Martz the ultimate endorsement after touring their Maple Park farm on Sept. 21. She expressed concerns about hormones in beef, but after a presentation about hormones in food from Mike she said she feels confident about choosing beef for dinner.

Welcome to the second year of Illinois Farm Families (IFF) Field Moms – a program for Chicago-area mothers who have questions about farming and how their food is raised. IFF is a coalition of commodity groups for beef, pork, dairy, corn, soy and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

The Field Moms were able to tour the Martz's cattle handling facility and learned about the process of ultrasounding cattle. They also viewed the cattle in barns while Mike explained the benefits of confinement feeding from an animal welfare standpoint. He also showed the Field Moms a variety of cattle feeds and discussed nutrition.

Moms experience a cattle handling facility.

Before a lunch of roast beef sandwiches, Mike gave a presentation about hormones in food and explained marbling, steak selection, and the USDA beef grading system.

Mike Martz used M&Ms to help Chicago moms visualize the hormone estrogen levels in food. Mike took four jars, enlisting the help of his grandson, and filled each with an M&M to represent each nanogram in the following: (from l to r) 29,400 nanograms (ng) in a single birth control pill, 225 ng in a baked potato, 1.9 ng in a 3 oz.  steak from a steer treated with growth-promotants, and 1.3 ng in a steak from an untreated steer.

Mike pointed out the moms were not the only ones that learned from the experience.

“We get a better idea of our consumers and their thoughts,” he said. “The moms were very open-minded and had great questions. The Field Moms program is a great way to share our story about the beef industry.”

After the tour, the 18 Field Moms in attendance were asked to blog about their experience. Read their thoughts about beef by clicking on the select links below or by visiting www.watchusgrow.org.

Why Consumers Can't Have the iPhone 5, Sprawling Suburbs and the Pitchforked Farmer Too

Amina Nevels, Chicago

“With farmers being charged with feeding more than just their family and their town, and with less space to do it, farmers (although still good stewards of the land) are seeking efficient and effective ways to raise livestock and cultivate the land within the changing times.”

Let’s Talk About Hormones in Meat

Christa Grabske, Mt. Prospect

“After my visit to a cattle farm, I feel even more confident about choosing beef for dinner."

Visiting A CAFO

Katie Grossart, Chicago

“I was amazed at both the amount of work and the amount of technology that goes into farming on Larson Farms.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Becomes Sponsoring Partner for BQA Certification

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is pleased to announce that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is partnering with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, and will be sponsoring the cost of BQA certification for American cattlemen and cattlewomen this spring.

The cost of BQA certification is normally $25-$50; however, between Feb. 11, 2013 and March 15, 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. will defray the cost of the certification, making it free for producers.

“BQA provides cattlemen with the tools they need to produce the safest, highest quality beef in the world while also looking at ways to make their operations more efficient and productive,” said BQA Senior Director Ryan Ruppert.

Ruppert notes that BQA is the gold standard of livestock handling and animal welfare programs, and that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s support of BQA certification demonstrates the company’s commitment to improving the industry and telling consumers about the sound production practices most cattlemen use every day. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has also placed emphasis on managing herd health before problems arise to prevent issues and keep operations running efficiently.

The BQA has customized programs specific to cow/calf, stocker, feedlot or dairy operations. These easy to use modules teach sound management techniques they can apply to their operation. The cattle industry has embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do; but certified producers also report improvements in efficiency and increased profitability. It also helps cattle operations tell their story to consumers who might not understand all of the safety measures cattlemen take in producing the food on the table.

"We're proud to partner with BQA to bring this important certification program to more American cattlemen and dairy producers," said David Korbelik, director of cattle marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. "Much like our Prevention Works approach to animal health, BQA is about monitoring and making incremental improvements throughout the life cycle to prevent disease and ensure a quality end product. We will also be working with the BQA to allow access to the training and certification program for animal health and veterinary students.”

Those interested in taking advantage of this BQA certification opportunity can go to www.BIVI-BQA.com. “It’s clear that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is committed to helping consumers understand that beef is produced in a safe and humane manner,” said Ruppert. “This partnership will help producers learn about the latest industry advancements and demonstrate the ways they continue to provide a top-quality food product.”

For more information on the BQA program visit www.BQA.org. To complete the BQA certification process, visit www.BQA.org/team.

To learn more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Prevention Works program, visitwww.bivipreventionworks.com. To learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. visitwww.bi-vetmedica.com/cattle.

BQA Update

59 people attended the BQA meeting last night in Freeport! If you haven't had a chance to attend a BQA training and certification it's not too late. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. 
for the BQA meeting in Greenville, Ill., to be held at Cunetto's Restaurant hosted by Greenville Livestock Auction, Inc.

Attend BQA meetings

Mark your calendar to attend upcoming Beef Quality Assurance meetings. Beef producers can receive training to help learn best practices in cattle management.

Sauk Valley Community College and the Milledgeville Veterinary Clinic will host a BQA training and certification seminar Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m., at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. Travis Meteer and Dr. Jeff Waite are the instructors for the evening and a meal catered by SVCC will be provided. To RSVP contact Cimeron Frost cimeroncf@aol.com or 217-787-4280.

The Illinois Beef Association, Carthage Livestock, and Lowderman Cattle Company are sponsoring a BQA training and certification seminar Thursday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m., at Lowderman Auction Center in Macomb. Travis Meteer, Buzz Illiff, and Trevor Toland will serve as instructors and ribeye sandwiches will be provided by the Tri-County Cattlemen. And don't forget to bring your semen tank! Genex and Select Sires representatives are offering semen specials on site. To RSVP contact Cimeron Frost cimeroncf@aol.com or 217-787-4280.