Cattle producers across Western North Carolina are invited to attend an upcoming Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Training hosted by Buncombe County Cooperative Extension. This nationally recognized program is designed to help beef producers implement best management practices that improve cattle health, beef quality, and consumer confidence.

The training will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the WNC Regional Livestock Center (474 Stock Dr., Canton, NC). Whether you are a seasoned producer or just getting started, this training offers valuable, practical information you can apply directly to your operation.

Participants will receive updates from the National Beef Quality Audit, review current BQA guidelines, and gain hands-on knowledge of body condition scoring, a key tool in managing herd health and productivity. This is also an excellent opportunity to earn or renew your BQA certification.

A meal will be provided for $15, and certification fees will be collected on-site. BQA certification is $15 for NCCA members and $40 for non-members. Students can become certified for $15, which includes a one-year membership to the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association.

This training is open to all beef producers in the region. Come network with fellow cattlemen and women, learn from industry professionals, and strengthen your operation through proven management practices.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification isn’t just a credential, it’s a commitment to producing safe, high-quality beef and responsibly caring for your cattle. Today’s consumers are more interested than ever in how their food is raised, and BQA helps tell that story with confidence.

For producers, BQA certification can improve herd performance, reduce costly mistakes like injection site damage, and ensure you’re following industry-backed best practices. Many buyers and markets are also beginning to prefer, or require, BQA-certified cattle, making it an important step in staying competitive.

Simply put: BQA certification protects your cattle, your product, and your reputation.