Quality. It’s not only a word written in an instruction manual but a responsible action – one must live it and then teach it. That was the underlying theme this week as two producers were honored with the national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award, created to recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers from across the country who incorporate BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their operations. The winners were selected based upon their commitment to beef quality assurance while operating sustainable cattle operations. This year’s winners were Anne Burkholder, Will Feed Inc. from Cozad, Neb., and Jim Docheff, Diamond D Dairy from Longmont, Colo.

Will Feed Inc.

In 1997, Burkholder graduated from Dartmouth College and moved back to Cozad with her husband, Matt, to run the feedyard. She is now the owner, head cowboy, feeding foreman, environmental steward and marketing manager, all of which comes from “hands on” learning. Over the years, Burkholder began to analyze what her “small” feedyard niche was going to be. At about the same time diesel fuel and trucking rates started to rise, she went to work finding producers in Nebraska who wanted someone to track their cattle from “ranch to rail”. There she found her niche – producers who are interested in the data and insight Burkholder offers by tracking their calves through the feedyard and into the packing plant. She also heads the processing team and takes down weight and tag data while vaccinating so that she can follow the calves g! ain individually through the feedyard, then compile carcass data to compliment the feedyard performance. In the words of nominator Drew Gaffney, Nebraska Cattlemen BQA Coordinator, “Anne has been a driving force and key spokesperson for the Nebraska Cattlemen and the state’s BQA program. Anne has been very instrumental in producing and promoting BQA meetings throughout the state. She has not only been a featured speaker at BQA meetings, but has also helped to promote BQA at local Auction markets. With the help of the state coordinator, Anne developed Nebraska’s first BQA cattle auction held at the North Platte Livestock Auction Market in North Platte, Neb. That sale was held in the fall of 2007 and since then three more BQA sales have been conducted. Anne has proven time and again that she is more than deserving of this award.” “Will Feed Inc. is very focused on implementing BQA in every aspect of the feedyard. I ask that my veterinarian, pharmaceutical reps, nutritionist and anyone else contributing to the operation are BQA certified. I work with the transporters of the livestock coming in and going out of the feedyard to ensure proper cattle handling techniques and I also make sure that they are aware of the Transportation Quality Assurance (TQA) program that is available,” explains Burkholder. “I also have monthly crew meetings to discuss our Treatment Protocol Book and other BQA issues. Everyone in the beef industry plays a role in BQA, and I view the expansion of the original BQA program to include the BTQA and Livestock Marketing Association-BQA program as a vital step to ‘Completing the Quality Assurance Circle’ so that a calf is han! ded by BQA educated stockman from the moment he touches the ground to the time that he is harvested.”

Diamond D Dairy

Docheff is a fourth generation dairy farmer milking 600 cows, with a mix of Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jerseys. With a combination of an ever-changing consumer mindset demanding locally grown products and their close proximity to the booming front range of Colorado, the family developed a plan to become more successful in the dairy enterprise. In July 2007, the pink marker flags were stuck into the ground, and the idea to build their own milk processing plant was officially underway. In March 2008, the plant filled its first bottle of Diamond D Dairy whole milk, and April 2008 brought a milestone with the first filled bottle of Yoforia brand drinkable yogurt. Diamond D merchandises milk and milk products through a home delivery system and to wholesale customers. “The dairy’s goal is to produce a natural, healthy and high quality milk product that consumers can have confidence in. With this in mind, one of the policies we have embraced is an open door invitation to anyone who would like to come and see the day-to-day operations on the dairy. This open door policy allows a transparency to the public and improved perception of the dairy industry as a whole,” says Docheff. “We are proud of our family, our dairy, our animal care practices, and our resulting milk and meat products. Our pride and dedication to meeting consumer demands, is as important as the milk and meat that we provide at our family dinner table.”! ; Beef Quality Assurance and the application of good animal husbandry practices in their operation have developed into a business mentality. For quality purposes, they feed thins cows and don’t market them immediately, which lowers the chance of the cows becoming disabled at the market or harvest facility. Despite the added input costs, Docheff is aware of the added value with additional weight to the cows, improved health and mobility, and an increased price per pound for cows in better condition. With a decreased cull rate of cows and added value in marketed cows, this has had a very positive impact on profitability of the operation. “Our management practices and the assistance from educational resources assist us in marketing only cull animals that are safe and of the highest quality possible for the food chain,” he adds. Travis Hoffman, Colorado Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator, nominated the Docheff family for the award. “Diamond D Dairy began implementation of BQA principles in 2000, and has progressed through improved animal husbandry practices and record keeping that has improved many aspects of their operation. Benchmarks include a decrease in cull rate of cows from 35-40 percent to 15-20 percent, as well as improvements in condition and health of marketed cows previous to shipping. And, they work diligently toward worker education.” A common trait among the two winners is a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while successfully encouraging others around them to implement BQA. The National BQA award winners are selected annually by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef councils and cattle industry groups.