Beef Quality

Can stress-suppressing pheromones fit into BQA best practices?

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Emerging technologies in pheromone application are enhancing the stress management scene in cattle production. Traditionally, stress reduction has been recognized under the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) umbrella of effective stockmanship.

BQA certification shows measurable benefits for cull cows and producers

hzundel@pabeef.org — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:34 -0400

A recently published research study reinforces what many producers who practice Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) have long believed: Attention to proper cattle care and management benefits animal welfare and also leads to greater financial returns for producers.

[Podcast] Beef-on-dairy relationships and New World screwworm defenses – with Laurence Williams and Jason Sawyer

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Join the Progressive Cattle crew as they try to make sense of the U.S. beef industry's import and export markets.

Tips to consider in preparation for spring work

msmall@uidaho.edu — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As we move into spring, beef cattle producers are carrying out seasonal management tasks to prepare for grazing season. By now, many have either already begun or are getting ready for branding of calves and spring processing of cows. During the long but enjoyable days of gathering, sorting and processing, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

South Central: Working calves: BQA best management practices

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

When working calves, following BQA best management practices is not only the right thing to do, it can also help the operation be more successful.

Ensuring beef safety: A call to action toward the ongoing beef industry battle against foreign objects

jesse.fulton@unl.edu — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The use of birdshot is animal abuse and jeopardizes the beef industry’s public image.

‘It was like magic': Low-stress cattle handling and not-to-miss tips

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Low-stress handling is a stockmanship practice that incorporates the understanding of the herd’s natural behaviors as it relates to movement and more positive management.

Culling decisions: Analyze cattle welfare, enhance the bottom line

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Gathering cows to diagnose pregnancy is one of many fixtures on a cow-calf production calendar. The day’s primary objective is making a “pregnant” or “open” call, but another priority should be assessing each cow’s long-term future. Can she comfortably make it another year in the herd?

A black spot in the cattle industry that’s impossible to chew

pschark@clemson.edu — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

How are these inedible, black spots getting into the beef supply? That’s everyone’s first question after learning about birdshot as the leading contributor to foreign objects in packing plants and further processing facilities.

Meat quality of beef-dairy crosses

tfelix@psu.edu — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Creating beef from dairy supply chains is not a new concept. For the past seven years, Penn State research programs have emphasized dairy progeny as part of the beef supply chain.

New beef branding campaign celebrates life’s milestones

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:33:24 -0400

Do you remember what your grandma used to serve for Sunday dinner? “Together, We Bring More” is based on the emotional connection that we have with life’s milestones – and how beef can transform our experiences, big or small, into meaningful moments.

Worker safety as a component of BQA?

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Beyond being a standard of business, providing a safe work environment has a trickle-down effect that impacts all other facets of BQA implementation. Human safety is the backbone of an effective, thriving cattle operation.

[Podcast] 2023 NCBA Cattle Industry Convention – Part 1

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Progressive Cattle editors sit down with guests at the 2023 NCBA Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans.

Burgett Farm is All In on Rotational Grazing for Soil Productivity, Cattle Health and Offering Consumers Farm to Table Choices

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

TRAFALGAR, Ind. - Six years ago, Thomas Burgett, a third generation farmer and a sergeant with the Indiana State Police, noticed that the 100-year-old family farm was struggling financially and experiencing significant soil erosion and fertility issues. This directly affected the rate of gain within the cattle herd, so a family decision was made to switch to rotational grazing in an effort to practice more regenerative agricultural methods. The results have boosted the productivity and sustainability of the land and the animals while providing a new path forward for the Burgett Farm.

First things first: Upgrade your cattle-handling methods before facilities

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:00:44 -0400

During the past 25 years, there have been many improvements in designs of cattle-working facilities and in cattle-handling techniques, but some cattle operations still need to “tune up” their handling methods.

Natural antioxidants improve beef shelf life and potentially increase international demand

jvanburen@uidaho.edu — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:00:01 -0400

Consumer demand, both domestically and abroad, drives beef prices and is one factor in determining profits or losses for cattle producers.

BQA award-winning producers help tackle consumer trust objectives

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:00:01 -0400

Among its six committees, the beef checkoff’s Consumer Trust Committee supports programs that grow consumer trust in beef and beef production through greater adoption and understanding of industry best practices.

Grain overload and the resulting need for treatment

sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:00:01 -0400

Cattle producers are invested in creating a quality product. Carcass grades, such as Prime or Choice, and high-yield grades have become attainable targets for producers to reach with good genetics, management, proper nutrition and health protocols.

Animal welfare: A competitive advantage for your cattle operation

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 18:44:06 -0400

Animal welfare is a hot topic among all sectors of agriculture – and as cattle producers, it is something we have practiced for generations. However, there are two major issues when it comes to animal welfare:

Bird and buckshot: The hidden defect cattle producers should prevent

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:00:01 -0400

In rare situations when the beef industry finds itself the subject of disparaging headlines, it is generally successful in combating misinformation with factual, positive messaging.

Stress and its impact on meat quality

aruth@uidaho.edu — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:00:01 -0400

Most livestock producers are aware that stress can have a major impact on growth, reproduction, handling and temperament. But stress can also affect carcass and meat quality characteristics, including meat color, product losses and palatability.

Online shopping for beef gains traction

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:00:01 -0400

The global pandemic encouraged many consumers to buy groceries online. As a result, grocery stores and the beef industry faced challenges and opportunities as they learned more about virtual shopping.

Ensuring safe, high-quality beef products

jesse.fulton@unl.edu — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:00:01 -0400

Quality assurance programs are all too familiar across the beef industry. Typically, these programs are discussed at the food product plants where we are working to maintain the quality of product after the animal is harvested.

Balancing consumer wishes with producer profitability

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:00:01 -0400

So often, we hear about what the average person on the street wants in regard to beef. Hormone-free, organic, grass-fed, natural – just to name a few. But most of these often-well-meaning people have never been on a farm or ranch.

Management tips to help reduce transportation stress

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 14:00:01 -0400

The U.S. cattle herd has increasingly become more mobile over time – and without fail, nearly every animal will be transported at some point in its life.

Providing all the needs that define stockmanship

Fri, 22 May 2020 14:00:01 -0400

Stockmanship, like sustainability, is a commonly used word many might find hard to clearly define succinctly.

What does the future hold for Select beef?

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:00:01 -0400

Following Prime and Choice, Select is the third of the eight distinct beef quality grades.

Taking a stand against bruising with BQA self-assessments

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:00:01 -0400

The phrase “measure to manage” is a cornerstone in beef industry research, and there is no better example than the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA).

New program addresses cattle care needs identified in survey

Fri, 24 May 2019 14:00:01 -0400

Beef producers that focus on creating a culture of continuous improvement for their business likely know their strengths and weaknesses and are prepared to adapt to challenges that face the cattle industry.

BQA becoming more than just ‘the right thing to do’

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 14:00:01 -0400

A 2011 survey of U.S. beef cattle producers done in conjunction with the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) found 87 percent of respondents who operated their ranches consistent with Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) standards did so because “it’s the right thing to do.”