Download Beef Quality Assurance

Beef Quality Assurance
Producer Training and Certification
The “Wholesale” Cuts of BQA
Beef
Check Off
Funded
Pre-harvest
Management Program
Maximizes
Consumer
Confidence
Positive for
Producers and
Consumers
What is Beef Quality Assurance?
The Beef Quality Assurance
(BQA) program was
established in 1987 by The
Beef Checkoff to provide cattle
producers with the tools and
training necessary to assure
animal health and well-being
as well as provide a safe,
quality product.
Essentially, the purpose of BQA is to
protect consumer confidence in beef
safety and quality.
What is Beef Quality Assurance?
The BQA Certification program is based on
recommended national guidelines and
scientific research.
More than 90% of U.S. cattle management is
influenced by BQA.
-”Agriculture’s Commitment to Animal Wellbeing”
Animal Agricultural Alliance
Mid-Atlantic BQA Alliance
The Mid-Atlantic BQA
Alliance is a unified
effort by BQA
programs in
Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, Maryland,
Virginia, Maine,
Vermont and New
Jersey to provide
similar training and
standards.
While each state program has its own components,
the program cores are the same for each respective state across the nation.
From the Field to the Fork:
THE IMPORTANCE OF BQA
Why is BQA Necessary?
Allows all sectors of the cattle industry to take
responsibility for the production of a safe food
product through proper animal care, handling,
and management practices.
BQA is Important for Two Reasons:
BQA Positively Affects
Consumer Confidence
BQA Meets Industry
Quality Challenges
Don’t
let misinformation
These are images
that consumers
see on TV, the internet and in the
news. It mightdefine
be the only YOU
connection
to agriculture.
asthey
a have
beef
producer!
Consumer Confidence in beef can significantly affect consumer
eating habits, which impacts the future of our industry.
“When better quality beef reaches the supermarket, consumers are more
confident in the beef they are buying, and this increases beef consumption. ”
-National BQA Program
BQA helps the industry overcome
quality challenges
Beyond safety, the economic importance of BQA can
be seen when analyzing the top quality challenges in
the production of beef. The 2000 National Beef Quality
Audit showed that the industry lost an average of
5-10 % $100 for every fed steer or heifer marketed.
Quality Challenges Include:
•Inconsistent size of meat cuts
•Non-uniform cattle
•Injection site blemishes
•Branding
•Excessive external fat
•Excessive seam fat
•Inadequate muscling
•Dark cutters
Good production practices can
reduce, if not eliminate,
the occurrence of quality
problems.
Where and How To Administer Treatment:
VACCINE AND DRUG PRACTICES
Injection Site Damages and Costs
Injection site blemishes (lesions) cost the beef
industry MILLIONS annually, meaning that
producers lose $$$ per head per year in the value
of the steers and heifers marketed.
All intramuscular
injections create
permanent
damage, no
matter the age
of the animal at
the time that the
product was
given.
At the very least,
tenderness is
reduced in a
3-inch area
surrounding the
injection site.
Injection Sites and Techniques
To lessen injection-site defects in
economically important cuts of beef,
the preferred site for all subcutaneous
(SQ) or intramuscular (IM) injections is
the neck region.
REMEMBER:
Whenever possible,
choose products
formulated and labeled
for SQ rather than IM
injections.
Other Important Things To Consider
When Administering Vaccines
1. PROPER RESTRAINT & FACILITIES
2. ALL INJECTIONS IN THE NECK REGION
3. USE PRODUCTS LABELLED FOR SQ ADMINISTRATION
Do not contaminate modified live virus products with disinfectants
(such as rubbing alcohol)
4. USE PROPER NEEDLE SIZE
Subcutaneous: Needle Gauge: 16-18
Length: ¾-1 inch (3/4 if Tent Technique is not used)
Intramuscular: Needle Gauge: 16-20
Length: 1- 1 ½ inches long
5. USE SHARP NEEDLES
Change needles every 10-15 head or with every automatic dosing
syringe refill
6. 10 cc PER SITE - LESS FOR CALVES
7. IF GIVING MULTIPLE INJECTIONS, MAKE THEM AT LEAST 5 INCHES APART
Understanding Drug Classifications
• Over the Counter Drugs
– Can be purchased from multiple sources
and must be used as directed on the label.
– Producers are not allowed to change the
dose or give the drug by any other route.
• Prescription Drugs
– Has significant potential for toxicity in humans or animals that
may have a unique method of use or which requires other
special consideration for its use.
– Can only be used or dispensed only by or on order by a
veterinarian
• Extra Label Use of Drugs
– The actual or intended use of a drug in a manner that is not in
accordance with the label.
– Used by the professional judgment of veterinarians under
certain conditions.
Antibiotic Usage Changes, 2016
• Before a producer can obtain medically important
antibiotics (for example chlortetracycline in
Aureomycin®) crumbles for his calves or pigs, he
will have to obtain a VFD (Veterinary Feed
Directive) form filled out by his veterinarian.
• The form will specify the farm and animals to be
treated, the duration of treatment, and which
drug is to be used. The feed mill or distributor
would need to have a properly completed VFD
before they could supply the feed.
Antibiotic Usage Changes, 2016
•
In order for a veterinarian to sign a VFD there must exist
a “Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship” or VCPR. While
this concept is not new, veterinarians who have
dispensed drugs according to the “Extra-Label” rule have
done so with a valid VCPR, this application of the
regulation is new. In order for a valid VCPR to exist:
– The veterinarian must have assumed responsibility for the
treatment of the animals
– The producer must have agreed to follow the
veterinarian’s instructions
Antibiotic Usage Changes, 2016
• Requirements for VCPR:
– The veterinarian must have sufficient knowledge of the patient to
initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical
condition of the patient by virtue of a timely examination of the
patient by the veterinarian, or medically appropriate and timely visits
by the veterinarian to the operation where the patient is managed.
– The veterinarian must be readily available for follow-up evaluation or
have arranged for veterinary emergency coverage, and continuing care
and treatment.
– The veterinarian must provide oversight of treatment, compliance,
and outcome.
– The veterinarian and the producer must cooperate to be sure
adequate records are maintained
Drug Withdrawal Times
This is the
period of time
that must
pass between
the last
treatment and
the time the
animal will be
harvested or
milk can be
sold.
Managing Implants
• Use antiseptic on the
needle between every
use. (Less abscesses)
• Currently there are no
withdrawal times for
FDA approved implants
• Check implant site
whenever cattle are
worked and document
results for future
reference in implant
management decisions.
• Livestock Feeds
and the Feed Supply
• Maintaining Quality
Through Nutrition:
Maintaining Quality Feedstuffs
•
Monitor for molds
and mycotoxins, a
fungal agent that is
toxic if ingested
– Symptoms :
loss of appetite, poor
weight gain, feed
refusal, diarrhea,
bleeding and
unthriftiness.
•Ask supplier about
their quality control
programs
•Ask for assurances
that feed does not
have contaminants
•i.e. pesticides
that may cause
residue problems
All suspicious
feedstuffs
should be
analyzed prior
to feeding!
Ruminant Feed Ban
prohibits the use of
proteins from ruminants in
feeds intended for
ruminant consumption.
Exceptions include:
Ultimately, the
producer is
responsible for
knowing and
complying with
any changes to
the regulations of
the Ruminant
Feed Ban.
•Pure porcine or pure equine protein
•Blood and blood by-products
•Gelatin
•Milk products (milk and milk protein)
•Inspected meat products that have been cooked and
offered for human food and further heat processed
for animal feed use.
* Use only FDA approved products
Remember: feed additives can’t be used
in an “extra label” manner – it’s the law!
* Pesticide/herbicide should be used
according to the label on pasture or
crops.
Always observe withdrawal times,
including feed you may sell.
• Maintain records for at least 3 years.
Should include: source of feed, date of
purchase, and quantity bought.
We practice these procedures
to avoid any violative residues
in final beef products.
Feed Additives and
Medications
Feed Storage and Handling
Do not contaminate
feeds with manure
during feeding.
•
Do not allow moisture, rodents, and birds to contaminate the feed
supply
•
Never store chemicals, petroleum products or other potentially
hazardous materials in areas where feed is stored, mixed or
processed.
•
When equipment is used for non-feed purpose, clean before using
for feeding purpose (e.g. Front-end loader)
Quality and Consistency:
IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES ON CARCASS QUALITY
IDEAL CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS
 Carcass Weight
600 to 999 lbs
 Brands
No Hot Brands
 Rib Eye Area
11.0 to 15.0 sq in
 Yield Grade
Less than or equal to 3
 Quality Grade
>Select, A-Maturity, No Dark Cutters
There are many management
practices that contribute to the
quality of the final beef product
Importance of Genetics
Breeding and
selection practices
significantly
impact muscling,
as it is one of the
most highly
heritable genetic
traits.
Cutability is reduced
by both inadequate
muscling and
excessive external
fat
What do these things have in common?
Flooring
Horns
Protruding Objects
Gates
Fence Posts
Dehorn at
an early age
Install fence
railing on the
cattle side of
posts
Prevent
cattle from
colliding with
gates
Eliminate broken
boards, nails, and
exposed bolts
from cattle
facilities
Ways to Prevent Bruising
Install grooved
concrete floors or
scored rubber
padding in high
traffic areas
The Cost of Dark Cutters
Pre-harvest stress depletes muscle glycogen stores,
resulting in an end product that is dark, firm and dry.
Crowding
in Pens or
Trailers
Disposition
with
Genetics
Length of Time
Between
Reimplanting
and Harvest
Mixing
Different
Groups of
Cattle
Changes in the
Weather or
Environment
Time Before
Slaughter in
Feedlots
Cull Animals in the Food Supply:
QUALITY ASSURANCE OF MARKET
COWS AND BULLS
Why Should BQA Apply to Cull Animals?
The sale of
market cows
and bulls
accounts for
25% of all
U.S. beef
consumption.
The income from
the sale of cull
animals provides
15-20 % of gross
herd revenue.
Producers should view their cull animals as part of
the food supply and apply BQA standards to all
animals, even in dairy and cow/calf operations.
Strategies for Marketing Cull Cows
• Prevent Damage
– dehorning, evaluating facilities,
mindful transportation and
handling techniques all
discourage bruising
– External parasite control
practices and proper branding
methods (marking high on the
hip) prevents hide damage
• Body Condition
-Feed cull animals for a brief
period prior to marketing
-Monitor for early signs of
lameness
-Provide dry off time for
lactating cows prior to
marketing
Basics to Remember When Culling
1. Manage cattle to minimize defects and quality deficiencies.
2. Monitor the health and condition of market cows and bulls to
improve herd profitability
3. Market in a timely manner to lessen occurrences of disabled
cattle, cancer eye, lameness, and emaciation.
By incorporating best
management practices,
beef and dairy producers
improve beef value, the
industry’s public image,
and their bottom line.
Positively impacting cattle health, welfare, and productivity
CATTLE CARE:
HANDLING AND FACILITIES
What is it?
Handling practices
that impact cattle
health, welfare, and
productivity
Why is it important?
Ensures the welfare for
both animals and
producers while improving
beef quality and producer
profitability
BQA
Handling
Techniques
Who should be
responsible?
Any and all individuals
who work with livestock
Where should it be
applied?
Pastures, working
facilities, feedlots,
and livestock markets
When do you do it?
Whenever cattle are gathered
for husbandry procedures
(i.e. health care, weighting,
sorting, weaning,
transportation)
Understanding Cattle Behavior:
Ways to Reduce Stress
Vision
• Wide angle vision field in excess of 300 degrees
• Solid walls on loading ramps and handling
chutes prevents animal from seeing distractions
• Eliminate shadows and have animals move from
dark to light to encourage easier handling
Hearing
Loud noises should be avoided near working
facilities. However, small amounts of noise are
appropriate to move cattle.
Curved Chutes and Solid Fences
There are two
important aspects of
using these facilities:
1. Prevents animals
from seeing the end
of the chute
2. Takes advantage of
cattle’s natural
tendency to circle
around a handler
Remember:
Patience is a virtue when handling cattle!
Avoid injury to animals (and people!) by handling cattle in a quiet, calm manner.
Understanding the Flight Zone
Forward
Backward
Important things to remember:
• Size of flight zone depends on the animal
• The best place for a handler to work is on the edge of the flight zone
• To move an animal forward, the handler must be behind the point of
balance. To move backward, the handler must be in front.
Other Tips for Efficient Handling
• Design and operate
• Use One-Way gates
alleys/gates to avoid • Quiet handling is
impeding cattle
essential
movement
• Work cattle in groups
• Avoid slippery surfaces
• Call cattle rather than
drive them
Things to Consider When Constructing a
Handling Facility
• How
accessible are
pasture and
other facilities
to the area?
• What is the
breed, size,
and number
of cattle?
•Is the area
level and will
it be able to
drain easily?
•Is the loading
area suitable
for all
weather?
Components of a Good Handling Facility
Loading
Chute
Working
Chute
Crowding
Pen
Squeeze
Chute
Headgate
Holding
Pen
*Scales
(Not Pictured in Diagram)
Component 1:
Headgate
• Most important part of facility
• Needs to be sturdy, safe, and
easy to operate
• Should work smoothly and
quietly
• Recommended types: Self
Catching and Full-Opening
with a Straight Bar
Component 2:
Squeeze Chute
• Located and secured directly
behind headgate
• Should adjust to size of animal,
but not any wider than 26
inches
• V-Shaped sides support cattle
from going down or choking in
the chute
• 2 foot service gate at the back
of the chute is desired for such
procedure as castrating,
pregnancy testing, etc.
Component 3:
Working Chute
• Leads cattle from
crowding pen to
squeeze chute
• Creates a single file line
• Solid walls prevent
cattle from being
distracted or spooked
• Narrow path prevents
turning around or
balking
Component 4:
Crowding Pen
• Located at the back of the
working chute
• Should be 150 square feet
(holds 6-10 head of cattle)
• Circular with solid sides is
recommended
• Solid crowding gate is used
to push cattle into the
working chute
Component 5:
Holding Pen
• Should be located
to fit conveniently
into the rest of the
facility
• Should provide
approximately 20
square feet per
animal
Component 6:
Loading Chute
• Located directly off
of crowding pen to
allow easier
movement of cattle
• A curved approach
prevents animals
from seeing truck
• Maximum incline of
chute ramp: 30%
• Chute should be at
least 12 feet long,
26-30 inches wide
Additional Component:
Scales
• Used for performance
testing, determining sale
weights, and administer
medicine per pound
• Single animal scales are
beneficial for determining
rate of gain
• Should be located where
animals can be easily moved
on and off (either in working
chute or squeeze chute)
Safety First
PERSONAL SAFETY
CATTLE SAFETY
•Use experienced people
•Construct catwalk
•Service gates
•Watching for kicks
•Stay alert
•Sort cows from calves
•Treat cattle with respect
•Remove sharp objects
•Safety Passes
•Use products carefully
•Properly restrain
cattle
*Carefully Review Page 32 of
Producer Certification
Manual*
Consider how to OUT-THINK cattle,
not OUT-WRESTLE them.
Don’t let this be you!
Avoiding Stress During Cattle Movement:
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Quality Assurance
Guidelines
Cattle will perform better and yield higher quality
beef when their exposure to stress is limited by
careful handling and transportation.
Pre-transit planning benefits both consumers and
the cattle being hauled
Transportation Quality Assurance
Guidelines
1. Driver Attitude and Professionalism
–
–
–
–
Act Responsibly
Show Concern for Animal Welfare
Use Proper Tone of Voice
Control Emotion
Transportation Quality Assurance
Guidelines
2. Animal Handling Procedures
– Make safety a primary concern
– Move animals into small
groups, sorted by size or
gender
– Eliminate aggressive handling
and use proper sorting tools
(i.e. brooms or paddles)
– Work with natural instinct of
cattle
Transportation Quality Assurance
Guidelines
3. Transit Precautions and
Animal Evaluation
–
–
–
–
–
Be aware of extreme
weather conditions
Minimize the amount
of time animals spend
in trailer
During long hauls, stop
occasionally to observe
cattle wellbeing
Evaluate animal illness
and condition before
loading
Have an emergency
response plan of action
Transportation Quality Assurance
Guidelines
4. Equipment Condition
–
–
–
–
–
Verify that all equipment
is in good working order
Use properly designed
ramps/chutes
Consider spacing
requirements to avoid
overcrowding
Prevent slippery
surfaces, shiny objects,
and sharp edges that
could scare or harm
cattle
Adhere to all state and
federal weight limits and
guidelines
Transportation Quality Assurance
Guidelines
5. Biosecurity Practices
– Thoroughly clean and
disinfect trailer after
each unloading
– Have a written protocol
for trailer sanitation
– Use clean bedding for
trailer and chute areas
– Utilize disposable
coveralls, boots, and
gloves to prevent
disease spread
– Prohibit animals
exhibiting symptoms of
disease from entering
trailer
Implementing a plan for disease prevention:
BIOSECURITY
What is Biosecurity?
“Biosecurity is a system of management procedures designed to prevent or greatly
reduce the risk for introduction of new disease to a cattle operation.”
- Mid Atlantic Beef Quality Assurance Producer Certification Manual
An effective biosecurity plan will
involve the producer,
employees, a veterinarian, and
possibly other specialists.
A plan will require
education of farm
visitors and may include
physical barriers.
Sources of New Disease
New disease can enter your herd in a variety of ways:
Contact with Other Cattle
(i.e. shows, fairs, replacements, bulls,
neighboring cattle acrossManure
the fence)
on footwear, clothing, equipment
tires, trailer Water
accessible to cattle (such as ponds
Humans
or pools of standing
water)
moving between herds or
farms Non Livestock
including pets, birds, deer, coyotes,
Feed
rodents, ticks, and other
insects
contaminated with feces, urine,
mold, or ruminant by-products
Animals New to Your Herd
• Know the herd health status of herds supplying
replacements
• Obtain health/vaccine history of new cattle
• Isolate new animals from herd for 2-4 weeks (no contact
through feed, water, or nose-to-nose during this time)
• Observe health status of new herd each day
• Use your veterinarian as a resource to learn about health at
the farm of origin
Essentially, the goal is to prevent
disease from ever entering the
operation and to minimize the risk of
infection if it does occur.
Even the best cowboys can’t save them all:
NON-AMBULATORY CATTLE
Caring for “Downer” Cattle
Injury, disease, or nutrition related disorders
are all ways that an animal may become nonambulatory or a “downer” animal.
Prompt care and diagnosis for non-ambulatory cattle is the responsibility of
livestock owners and caretakers.
Euthanasia
Humane death without pain and suffering
Indications for Euthanasia:
– Fractured leg/severe trauma
– Loss of production and quality of life ( i.e.
severe mastitis)
– Diagnostic (potential for human disease, i.e.
rabies)
– Advanced ocular neoplasia (cancer eye)
– Debilitating or toxic condition
– Extended withdrawal time for sale of meat and
poor prognosis
Disposal
Producers should use proper methods of
carcass disposal that are in accordance to
local, state, and federal regulations.
If utilizing a rendering service, keep deceased animals
from public view, but near entrance of farm for biosecurity
purposes.
REMEMBER: Non-ambulatory cattle
CANNOT be sent to a livestock market or
processing facility.
This online Virgina
Cooperative Extension
Publication, #2909-1412, can
provide more suggestions.
For further resources on Farm Animal Euthanasia,
consult the Producer Certification Manual or follow this
link for an online version of the following book:
http://vetmed.iastate.edu/vdpam/ext
ension/dairy/programs/humaneeuthanasia/preface-0
The First Step To Keeping Meaningful Records:
CATTLE IDENTIFICATION
Types of Identification
• Ear Tagging
– Electronic or Regular ear
tags should each have a
unique number for each
animal
• Branding
– Hot or Freeze brands
should be placed high on
the hip to minimize hide
damage
Full traceability back through all production segments
is the ultimate goal of animal identification.
RECORDS
Documenting the safety of the product: Components of Recordkeeping
Animal records should be consistent, legible, easily retrieved,
and maintained for at least 36 months