SDSU Extension Offers Free Beef Quality Assurance Training in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension will host a free Beef Quality Assurance training course on Sept. 29 in Rapid City to help area cattle handlers and producers improve operations through science-based practices.

The 2.5-hour event begins at 3:30 p.m. MT at West River Research and Extension in Rapid City. Registration is free and includes all necessary training materials.

Anyone involved in raising or handling cattle is encouraged to attend. The program offers educational opportunities for beef and dairy farmers and ranchers across the state, connecting producers with the latest research and animal care techniques to ensure cattle well-being, beef quality and safety.

“This training is part of our mission to help South Dakota beef producers continuously improve their operations and protect their animals,” said Paige Madison, SDSU Extension livestock production and stewardship field specialist and South Dakota BQA coordinator. “We are proud to offer this program to producers in our state.”

Attendees can become BQA certified during the session, with certification remaining valid for three years. Becoming certified allows producers to uphold consumer confidence, enhance herd profitability through improved management, safeguard the public image of the beef industry and boost the sale of marketed beef cattle.

“As a cattle producer, I believe this is a very important time to get your BQA certification. BQA is increasingly utilized in our industry to show consumers that we are focused on continual improvement in beef quality and animal care,” said Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch Company and chair of the BQA Advisory Group. “There is no better way to leverage our story than through a grassroots and science-based program like BQA.”

To register, participants can visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “beef”. For more information, contact Madison.