179 - Today's Beef Quality Assurance Program: Rancher Involvement and the Future of Developing Sustainability Programs

Abstract: To date the most successful rancher educational program has been the beef quality assurance (BQA) program. However, it is not understood why ranchers chose to become BQA certified. Without this knowledge it becomes increasingly difficult to build new rancher educational and sustainability focused programs. To gain insight on current BQA program involvement and application of BQA best management practices (BMP) we administered an online multi-state survey to cattle ranchers in collaboration with state Cattlemen’s Associations. In total, the survey consisted of 45 questions and was divided into 3 sections including: 1) rancher demographics, 2) BQA participation and current BQA BMP, and 3) willingness to join new rancher sustainability program. Of the survey participants (n=884) ranchers that were BQA certified at any time were less likely to administer injections in areas other than the neck compared with ranchers who were not certified (p< 0.05), demonstrating the effectiveness of the BQA program. More than 87% (n=542) of survey respondents listed “improving animal health and welfare” as one of their top three reasons for joining BQA, while only 22% (n=137) listed “animals fetching a higher price”. This result highlights that although financial incentive was a factor in program adoption, animal health and welfare was at the forefront of ranchers’ minds. The survey indicated that ranchers who were male, ranched for a greater number of years, grazed more total acres, and received a larger percent of income from ranching were more likely to be BQA certified (p< 0.05). Finally, those who were BQA members were more likely to state that joining a rancher sustainability program would be beneficial to their operation (p< 0.05). Overall, this survey provides insight into BQA program and BMP adoption and demonstrates that the BQA program could be a possible framework for creating a successful rancher sustainability program.