Beef Quality Assurance

Abstract

Eight years ago the fed beef industry started work on a quality assurance program that joined the efforts of the professional cattle feeder, professional beef cattle consulting veterinarian and the U.S.D.A-F.S.I.S.. Five states (Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) and the National Cattlemen's Asso. were involved. The first "verified control program" for cattle production was certified in Oklahoma at Hitch Enterprises three years later. From these beginnings the back bone of what now seems to be a nationally accepted program for quality assurance has been developed. These guide lines have now been accepted by cattlemen in three states. These are voluntary guide lines that are business based, that means practices that are considered part of normal good business practice in accounting, inventory control, and efficient production.