Beef Quality Assurance
The efforts of BQA across the nation have been instrumental in recent successes that continue to re-build and sustain beef demand. Through BQA programs, producers recognize the economic value of committing to quality beef production at every level - not just at the feedlot or packing plant, but within every segment of the cattle industry. The guiding principles of BQA are based on these core beliefs:
- WE BELIEVE production practices affect consumer acceptance of beef.
- WE BELIEVE the BQA Program has and must continue to empower beef producers to improve the safety and wholesomeness of beef.
- WE BELIEVE these fundamental principles are the fabric of the BQA Program.
Value to the Industry
BQA does more than just help beef producers capture more value from their market cattle: BQA also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be. Today, the stakes are even higher because of increased public attention on animal welfare. BQA is valuable to all beef and dairy producers because it:
- Demonstrates commitment to food safety and quality.
- Safeguards the public image of the dairy industry.
- Upholds consumer confidence in valuable beef products.
- Improves sale value of marketed beef cattle.
- Enhances herd profitability through better management.
Beef Checkoff supported BQA programs bring it all together. While the BQA Manual provides a framework for program consistency, the states still determine the best programs for their producers.
“Because the beef industry is so diversified, we wanted to allow states the opportunity to provide what is best for their producers. The BQA [Manual is the] overarching [protocol], providing some consistency across the state programs. They are good production practices to guarantee the quality of beef products,” comments Dr. Dee Griffin, DVM.
Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance
Hello, My name is Jesse Fulton. I currently serve as the Director for Nebraska BQA. It is my goal to make the Nebraska BQA program one of the top state BQA programs in the nation. Implementing BQA on your operation demonstrates your committment to animal welfare and providing the consumer with a safe, quality beef product. If you have any questions about the BQA program or how you could better implement BQA on your operation, please reach out to me. I hope to meet you soon.
Jesse Fulton, M.S.
Extension Educator – Director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance
Bio:
Jesse Fulton is originally from the Northeastern corner of the bluegrass state along the Ohio river in Lewis County, KY.
After completing his bachelor’s in animal science at Morehead State University, Jesse went on to pursue his master's in animal science with a focus in meat science at South Dakota State University.
Some of Jesse’s research included the effect of copper and zinc source on pre-weaning performance of cows, health and performance of suckling calves, and post-weaning feedlot performance, carcass composition and meat quality of calves.
Upon completing his master’s, Jesse served the Director of Producer Education with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, CO for five years. During his time at NCBA, he managed the National Cattlemen’s College program, the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit, and assisted with National Beef Quality Assurance and National Stockmanship & Stewardship programming.
In October of 2020 he married his wife Brittany (Schaneman) Fulton, and they relocated to Brittany’s hometown of Scottsbluff, NE. In January 2022 they just welcomed their first-born child Olivia.
Since November 2020, Jesse has been serving as a Nebraska Beef Extension Educator and the Director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.