If someone asked you how many milliliters of a certain vaccine to give in one injection, could you answer correctly? What about the recommended spacing between injections given on the same side of an animal? Is this spacing different for cows and calves? Did you know that the recommended area in which an intramuscular shot should be given is smaller than that of a subcutaneous one?
If you are a cattle producer, these questions, and more importantly the answers to these questions, should matter to you because they will not only make you a more effective producer, they are ensuring a safe and wholesome product for our consumers.
如果你不知道上述问题的答案，不要担心太多，因为有一种整洁的方式来找到它们。它被称为牛肉质量保证（BQA）计划，它与您一样靠近您的计算机。BQA是由国家Cattleman的牛肉协会（NCBA）全国赞助的计划。该计划的使命是“通过使用科学，研究和教育倡议将行业的注意力集中在牛肉质量保证，最大限度地提高消费者信心和接受牛肉的信心。”该任务及国家BQA计划的指导方针由国家牛肉协会协调和实施。
Ready access to the BQA program is available to cattle producers in the 188bet金宝搏代理Noble Research Institute's service area through the Texas Beef Quality Producers (TBQP) program. TBQP is a voluntary program that is a cooperative effort between the Texas Beef Council (TBC), Texas Cooperative Extension and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA). Within this program, there are two levels of certification. Level I status can be obtained very easily by spending a couple of hours behind a computer with Internet access, whereas Level II certification has to be completed by attending a training session. By completing this certification, you are sending a message to the beef cattle industry that you are willing to implement best management practices (BMPs) at your place of operation that lead to a product that is safe and wholesome. Becoming certified doesn't imply that you were doing anything wrong; as a matter of fact, some operations will not have to change a single operating procedure because they are already doing a good job. However, by becoming certified, you set an example for others to follow, and even if you are doing a good job carrying out procedural tasks, I feel confident that everyone can learn something by becoming certified.
Some of you may be asking the question "Will I get paid for becoming certified?" My answer is that there is a definite possibility, but I can't (and neither can anyone else) guarantee it. However, it won't cost you anything but a little time, and there is something to be said for doing the right thing and this is the right thing to do.
By the way, the answers to the questions at the beginning of this article can be found by obtaining a CD from your local county agent if you live in Texas, or by going towww.beefquality.comand ordering it online.If you prefer the more traditional approach, the 188bet金宝搏代理Noble Research Institute will be hosting Level I & II training sessions starting at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 15, 2004. If you need additional information, contact your local Extension agent, TSCRA or Melissa Castleman here at the Noble Research Institute at (580) 223-5810.我们期待着在那里见到你。
