MONROE — Some large packers and processors have announced effective Jan. 1 they will only purchase from farms that are Beef Quality Assurance Program or FARM Certified. 

Most dairy farms are FARM certified through their milk processor. Ask your dairy plant representative for help to get a copy. The BQA Requirement impacts those selling finished beef breeds of cattle and is in effect for all markets and all private treaty transactions. Farmers need to work with their marketing partners, or buyers if selling direct, to ensure correct documentation. Beef producers created the voluntary Beef Quality Assurance Program in 1987 to assist each other in raising, feeding and harvesting high quality beef. 

Obtain free, online BQA certification at BQA.org. Each interactive course takes about two hours, and requires an 80 percent score. BQA certification is received via email.

Green County UW-Extension will offer an in-person training from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 22 at the Green County Justice Center, 2841 6th St., Monroe. 

It costs $15 per farm. The fee will be collected at the door; make checks payable to WI BQA Program. To allow planning, RSVP by March 21 with the number attending. Call the Green County UW-Extension office at 608-328-9440 to register. The WI BQA Program will verify certification with BQA.org and return the certification number back to the farm by either email or regular mail.

For more information or questions, contact Jackie McCarville, Green County UW-Extension agricultural educator, at jaclyn.mccarville@ces.uwex.edu.