1. Kentucky Beef Quality Assurance

3. What is Beef Quality Assurance?
“BQA is a process of figuring out what could go wrong, planning to avoid it – then validating and documenting what you have done. BQA is just part of good business,”
Dee Griffin, DVM, associate professor at the University of Nebraska’s Great Plains Veterinary Education Center.

4. What Does “Quality” Stand for In Beef Quality Assurance?
“Up until a few years ago, 25% or 1 out of every 4 people ordering beef at a restaurant had an unpleasant eating experience.”
Quality means wholesome and safe, but it also means providing a product to the consumer that delivers a desirable eating experience. 1

5. What is Certification?
Process by which producers accept responsibility for actions under which cattle in our production unit were produced.
Process allowing the beef industry to maintain its independence from regulatory agencies. 5

6. What is BQA?
Based on recommended national guidelines and scientific research to meet the demands of today’s consumer
BQA Focuses on…
Care and Husbandry Practices
Feedstuffs
Feed Additives and Medications
Injectable Animal Health Products
Processing, Treatment and Record-Keeping 19

7. History of BQA 1970’s -Originally called Beef Safety Assurance.
In 1982 USDA-FSIS began working on the Pre-harvest Beef Safety Production Program.
By the mid to late 80’s the beef industry adopted the term Beef Quality Assurance began regulating themselves to avoid additional government regulation.
KY-BQA program began in 2000
More Than 30 Years of Beef Quality Assurance… Providing a Safe, Wholesome and Healthy Beef Supply

8. National BQA Audit 2011 Challenges 1995 Challenges 2011 External Fat
Seam Fat
Overall Palatability
Tenderness
Overall Cutability
Marbling
Challenges 2011
Food Safety
Eating Satisfaction
How/Where Cattle Raised
Lean, Fat, Bone
Weight and Size
Cattle Genetics

9. Producer Findings
Healthy Cattle Equal Quality. To cattle producers, quality equals “raising healthy cattle and calves” and “producing safe and wholesome beef.”
90% of producers have a working relationship with their veterinarian.  
Though 95% had some level of routine vaccination and treatment protocols, only 31% had a written plan.  Greater emphasis must be placed on documentation.
Injection Site Improvements. However, improvement is still needed, 41% of dairy producers still giving injections in the animal’s rump.
Low‐Stress Handling Is a Priority.  Use of good stockmanship and animal‐handling skills is the
producer’s #1 method of intentionally influencing quality.  Ninety‐eight percent do not use an electric prod as their primary driving tool.
Identification and Traceability.  Seventy‐eight percent of respondents used individual animal ID (ear tag) as a means to keep track of withdrawal times for animal health products.

10. Why Should You Become Certified?
Records allow for better business decisions
Eliminate carcass defects
Consumer confidence in meat and milk quality is vital to beef and dairy producers
We no longer just raise cattle, we are in the business of producing safe food!

11. BQA Program Elements Classroom or Chute-Side Training
Pass KY-BQA Post Test
Sign Production Contract
$5 Fee for to maintain database, create materials, etc.

12. Other Resources Dairy BQA Transporter BQA Auction Market BQA
On-farm Assessments 12

13. The BQA Mission
To maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef by focusing the producers’ attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness and quality of beef and beef products
The national BQA mission is ____
This will help us retain or increase our market share

14. BQA Programs are driven by:
Producers
Government
Consumers – they purchase what they trust
“Quality Assurance is everyone’s job, our future depends upon it ... and there are not most valuable players.”
It is every producer’s obligation to utilize management and judgment that ultimately lead to a positive eating experience for the consumer.
Producers are the basis without them BQA would not be possible, Government provides inspections at slaughter and education through extension, we are all consumers!! 2

15. BQA National Guidelines
Care and Husbandry Practices
Feedstuffs
Feed Additives and Medications
Processing, Treatment and Record-Keeping
Injectable Animal Health Products

16. Employee Training and Education
Never assume that someone can properly handle cattle or use the proper techniques
Ongoing producer and worker education should be part of any management plan
Extension personnel can provide you with educational opportunities
One common deficiency is that part-time help employed to work cattle, apply chemicals, feed, etc. are not trained in BQA principles. You need to teach them the basic aspects we are covering here, perhaps require that they read the manual when they first come to work, or go over it with them. Putting an inexperienced operator at the controls of the head gate, or in the lead up pen with a stick without explaining to them how you expect them to work, or tolerating a part-time cattle helper that has experience but that violates the principles of BQA is not acceptable.

17. Care and Husbandry Practices
Handle/transport all cattle in such a fashion to minimize stress, injury and bruising
Regularly inspect facilities to help ensure proper care and ease of handling
Keep feed & water handling equipment clean
Provide appropriate nutritional and feedstuffs management
Maintain an environment appropriate to the production setting
Evaluating and enforce biosecurity
Keep records for a minimum of 2 years or longer as requirement by laws/regulations (ie. 3 years for Restricted Use Pesticides)

18. Cattle Behavior Sort cows from calves
Cattle have wide-angle vision – use solid sides
Eliminate shadows to prevent cattle from entering an area
Cattle move toward the light as long as it is not glaring
Minimize loud noises

19. Cattle Behavior Use animal's natural tendencies:
Cattle follow each other and have a natural tendency to circle
Use curved chutes
Flight Zone (aka personal space) and Point of Balance
Use to move cattle
Source:

20. Tips for More Efficient Handling
Design and operate alleys and gates to avoid impeding cattle movement
Work cattle in groups
Call cattle rather than drive them
Use one-way gates
Avoid slippery surfaces
Quiet handling is essential

21. Stock Trailer BQA Loading/ Unloading Equipment selection
Low stress handling
Sorting
Equipment selection
Truck and Trailer
Floor space
Use proper facilities for loading cattle
Gates
When loading cattle onto the trailer care should be taken to move the cattle slowly and quietly.
Use low stress handling techniques when moving, loading and unloading cattle
Avoid using electric prods and aggressive use of canes, whips and sorting sticks. This will minimize stress, help prevent the animals from getting excited and lessen the degree of shrink.
Minimize the height that cattle must step onto the trailer by backing the trailer into a slope
Load cattle at the edge of the operation to help support the biosecurity plan and minimize introduction of health problems
Allow the cattle to establish a flow onto the trailer. This will reduce a lot of the stress.
Sort cattle into groups based on size, sex and horns. Load different groups into separate compartments
Load heavier cattle towards the front of the trailer
Bulls that have not been together should be loaded into separate compartments
Separate cattle that are purchased from separate sources or different groups. This will prevent them from trying to establish a new social order on the trailer.
Do not overload the truck and trailer. Check the truck’s GVWR to ensure it can handle the load to be pulled safely.
Use the loading density charts (tables 1 and 2) to ensure that there is adequate floor space per head to minimize stress, bruising, injury and possible death losses
Take care when opening and closing gates. If the cattle are overloaded there can be a great deal of tension on the gates causing them to spring forward when unlatched. Similarly cattle can hit the gates causing them to spring forward. 21

22. Stock Trailer BQA Maintenance
Keep in good condition with all repairs made.
Tires
Wheels
Wires and Lights
Brakes
Floor
Clean out
Check tires for air pressure, tread wear and dry rot
Keep a jack capable of lifting the loaded trailer or a block and spare tire in an easy to get too location
Wheels should be maintained and greased according to manufacturer
Make sure wires and lights as working before hauling cattle. Lights let people see you
Make sure your brakes are in good working order – check your brake box
Inspect the trailer floor and repair/replace as needed. wooden trailer floor less than ten years; if the trailer is not cleaned out on a regular basis the life expectancy is probably less.
Any trailer used to haul cattle should have a non-slip floor.
Options include wire cattle panel or a rubber mat
If wire cattle panels are used, make sure the panels are securely held down by using ample staples to hold them in place.
Clean the trailer after each use. Cleaning the trailer will help prevent injuries from slipping. Cleaning will assist in biosecurity and help prevent the spread of disease. 22

23. Stock Trailer BQA Be sure tires are in good condition
Check age of tires
Check heels
Check bearings
Be sure a jack is available & accessible
____
____
Week
Year
Tires on stock trailers must be checked to insure they can safely transport the load. The last four digits on the DOT number on the tire shows the week and year of manufacture. Tires over five years of age should be replaced. Periodically check the wheels and bearings. Be sure that a jack is available for use in changing a tire and that it is readily available.
Driving Considerations
Defensive driving is highly encouraged
Plan your route 23

24. Remember When Transporting Cattle
Before cattle leave the farm --Evaluate them for illness and severe lameness
---Do not sell cattle with
Cancer eye
Downers
Debilitated thin cows
Cattle which are sick
Cattle with antibiotic residues
DO NOT LOAD animals that are borderline non-ambulatory or downer animals, severely lame or sick 24

25. Remember When Transporting Cattle
Allow for adequate room for cattle on the truck or trailer
Transport cattle during the cooler parts of the day– especially during summer or during times with elevated temperatures/humidity
To prevent cattle from failing, avoid sudden starts/stops and sharp turns
Schedule loading and unloading times to minimize the amount of time on trailer

26. Transporting Cattle Do not overcrowd cattle on trailers
Decrease number of head during hot conditions
Trailer Size
Cattle Weight, lbs
Total Weight
400
800
1200
1600
16 ft x 6 ft 18 9 6 4
< 7115
20 ft X 7 ft 26 13
< 10,370
24 ft X 7 ft 31 16 10 8
< 12,445

27. Non-Ambulatory Animals
Disabled or downer animals are not allowed in the food chain and SHOULD NOT be transported to the livestock marketing or harvest facility
Non-ambulatory cattle should be provided shade, water and feed, and housed in an area that provides good footing
Determining prognosis-
Work with your veterinarian
More favorable prognosis when animal can sit upright and is eating and drinking– If not consider euthanizing animal 12

28. If the prognosis is unfavorable or the animal has not responded to veterinary care, it should be humanely euthanized.

29. Feedstuffs Maintain records of pesticides on pasture or crops
Create quality control program for incoming feedstuffs
Analyze suspect feedstuffs prior to use
Do not feed ruminant-derived protein sources per FDA
Support feeding of by-product/co-product ingredients with sound science 14

30. Practice Good Feed Room Hygiene
Don’t store agrochemicals, fertilizers and other non-feed items in the feed room
Keep feed dry and free from mold
Rotate inventory to keep feed fresh
Be very cautious with rodenticides
Do not use pesticide containers to store feed or feed cattle
Don’t ever feed floor sweepings to cattle
Keeping a clean feed room, or an area in the barn devoted only to feed storage is important. We need to do whatever we can to maintain quality of the feed we buy and to prevent possible chemical contamination of the feed. 17 30

31. Feed Additives and Medications
Use only FDA-approved medicated feed additives in ration
Use FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
Extra-label use of feed additives is prohibited
Keep records for at least 2 years
Assure all additives are withdrawn at proper time
Strictly adhere to medication withdrawal times to avoid violative residues 18

32. Feed Additives and Medications
What falls into the feed additives and medications
Ionophores – Rumensin and Bovatec
Antibiotics – Aureomycin
Usually in purchased feeds
You must have a permit to mix the most concentrated forms 32

33. Feed Additives and Medications
Monitor every withdrawal time to avoid residues
Identify treated individuals or groups 33

34. Feed Storage and Handling
Store and handle feeds to prevent contamination of feeds and to insure safety of beef and milk products produced
Decrease moisture
Birds and rodents
Clean feeding area and water supply
Feed using clean equipment--I.E. To prevent Johne’s Disease– wash tractor tires, buckets, etc after handling manure and before feeding cattle
You, the producer, are responsible for making sure all feeds are of the highest quality and are residue free. Feeds should be stored to prevent contamination. Do not allow moisture, birds or rodents contact with the feed supply. Cattle should be fed and watered from clean tanks and feedbunks. In addition, separate equipment for feeding and manure handling is important to prevent the spread of diseases, such as Johne’s disease and other diseases spread through manure contamination. If the same equipment is used, be sure to wash tractor tires after handling manure. 34

35. Injectable Animal Health Products
Always follow label requirements
Products labeled for subcutaneous (SQ) administration should preferably be administered in the neck region
Products cleared for SQ, Intravenous (IV), Intranasal (IN) or oral administration are recommended
Products with low dosage rates are recommended and proper spacing of injections should be followed
All products labeled for intramuscular use shall be given in the neck region only (no exceptions, regardless of age)
All products can cause tissue damage when injected IM. Therefore all IM use should be avoided if possible.
No more than 10 cc of product is administered per IM injection site

36. Judiciously Use Antibiotics
Select and use antibiotics carefully
Use laboratory results to select antibiotics
Avoid antibiotics important for humans as first line therapy
Limit antibiotic use to sick or “high risk” animals
Avoid combination therapy unless evidence to support decision
Sub-therapeutic antibiotic use is discouraged
An emphasis is being placed on judicious use of antibiotics. 9 36

37. Veterinarian Consultation
At a minimum invite your Veterinarian to your farm or livestock operation on an annual basis
Establishes valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)
Vet better understand your production management & goals
Better assist you in making recommendations
Confidence that you’ll follow prescription labels
Diagnosis of disease challenges can be quicker

38. Product Selection
Use Only Animal Health Products Approved for Cattle Production
Not all injectables are the same, reference should be given to products that
Use a lower dosage
Recommend SQ administration
Are less reactive once applied
Emphasize that you should only inject 10 mL (cc) into one site 38

39. Injection Site Management
Since the first National Beef Quality Audit the incidence of injection site lesions has decreased from 22.3% (1991) to less than 3% (2000)
Only a small percent of producers have become BQA certified, but we have made considerable progress in reducing injection site lesions for high value cuts. But they still occur this picture was taken less than 5 years ago by an extension specialist that cooked the meat. 39

40. Injection site lesions
Blemish Caused by IM Injection too Close to Shoulder
By giving injections in the neck we are not eliminating injection site lesions. We have simply moved them to a lower value cut. We need to make sure that IM injections are as far forward in the neck as possible to avoid injection site lesions
The problem is being found in approximately 15 to 20% of steaks cut from the front of the Chuck Roll (NAMP 115). 40

41. Injection Site Lesions
Decrease tenderness up to 3 inches from lesions
Result of an injection such as clostridial bacterins, antibiotics, and vitamins administered IM
Most lesions are scar tissue, but sometimes are active abscesses
Contaminated needles and syringes contribute to the problem
The result of an injection site lesion is not just the visible portion it affects significant portions of the cut. We need to reduce the number of injections given IM and use SubQ if approved. Cattle buyers like to see the golf ball size knots on the neck---they know that the animal has been treated! Making sure that needles and syringes are clean is a simple way to help prevent the problem 41

42. Caution- Human Safety Concerns
Wear protective clothing/gloves when handling chemicals
Prostaglandin products (Lutalyse, Estrumate) should not be handled by pregnant women; this product can be absorbed through the skin
Micotil injections should use one handed technique; if self-injected it will likely cause death in humans

43. Before Using a Drug Read the label Record Serial & Lot Numbers
Label includes the sheet that is inside the box with the product, not just what is on the bottle label or box.
Warning for withdrawal time noted, recorded
Record Serial & Lot Numbers
Needed for product failure, reporting adverse reaction, etc…
Record Expiration Date
Need to follow the instructions! It is illegal if you don’t!
Emphasize that the label extends to the paper inside the box with the product. Few realize that this is officially part of the label. 43

44. Example of Package Insert Information
This is a label of an OTC drug
Review parts of the label (next slides have enlarged views)
It can be just as illegal if you use it in any way other than what the label states
You are breaking the law if you use it in any other way! 13 44

45. Drug Classes
Over the Counter (OTC)
Prescription
Feed additives

46. Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Products you can purchase online, at local farm store, etc…
Must be used in accordance to the label unless you have a written prescription
Examples: LA200, Penicillin

47. Prescription Drugs
MUST have a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)
Require a prescription to obtain
Use the correct product for the disorder
BQA encourages Judicious use of Antimicrobials

48. Extra Label Drug Use (ELDU)
“Off-Label” use
Veterinarian may decide to use either an OTC or Prescription Drug differently than as labeled
Examples may include different dosage, different route of administration, different purpose
MUST have a written prescription from the Vet and MUST have appropriate Withdrawal Time Established by the Vet – Often longer Withdrawal Time
CAN NOT prescribe use of FEED ADDITIVES different from the label – Not Even a Vet 6

49. Example of Label for Extra – Label Drug Use
This is a recommended label that could be adhered to a drug used in an Extra-label drug use. 49

50. Properly Handling Vaccines
Practice good sanitation
Separate needles should be used for filling the syringes and injecting the animals
Do not draw from a bottle with a needle that was in an animal – Get a new needle
Do not remove the needle from the syringe leaving the needle in the bottle
Transfer Needle
Springer Magrath Co. “Great tool for transferring diluent to vaccine on modified live vaccines. Stick transfer needle in sterile diluent first then stick in vaccine. Vacuum on vaccine will transfer over the diluent.”
$1.08 (does not come with a container)
MGRMTN    $ 2.00 50

51. MLV Vaccine Care Reconstitute only what is used in 1 hr
Use a transfer needle
Do not shake, but swirl to mix
Reconstituted vaccines should not be stored for use on another day, not effective

52. Properly Handling Vaccines
Keep them cool during transport, use cooler or insulated bag with cold pack
Do not put them on the dash of the truck
Put them in the back of the refrigerator, not the door
Have a Cooler and cold packs for use at the chute
Avoid freezing the product as well

53. Does Your Refrigerator Keep Vaccines at the Proper Temperature?
In a recent study over 50% of on farm refrigerators surveyed did not maintain the needed temperature(35 to 45F) more than 35% of the time
Univ. of Arkansas 2009 53

54. Selecting Appropriate Needle
Gauge- diameter of needle
14 to 20 gauge depending on animal size, route of administration, & product
Large enough to protect against breakage
Large enough to handle the characteristics of the product
No larger than necessary
Selecting needle involves both the diameter of the needle or gauge and the length of the needle.
Smaller diameter needles or larger gauge should be used on smaller animals and water-based products.
Smaller gauge needles or larger diameter should be used for more viscous or thick products (ie. LA 200).
5 & 10 54

55. Selecting Appropriate Needle
Length
¾” to 1 ½” will suffice in most cases
Shorter needle for subcutaneous injections
¾” to 1 inch
Longer needle for intramuscular (IM)
1” for calves & 1 ½” for cows or bulls
Intravenous 1 ½”
Important that for subcutaneous injections needles are 5/8” up to ¾” to avoid damage muscles directly under skin
For intramuscular injections (IM), needle lengths do not need to be longer than 1 ½”
Though often not discussed, Intravenous (IV) injection is of importance currently with respect to Banamine (Flunixin meglumine). For cattle, the only approved label route of administration is IV. Seeing increase in carcass residues likely due to improper route of administration and proper extended withdrawal times due to changing route of adminstering product. 55

56. Animal Size (lb) <300 300-700 >700 Needle Gauge
Table 2-1. Determining proper needle gauge based on the route of administration, animal size, and viscosity1 of fluid.
Fluid Viscosity1
SQ Injection (¾ to 1 inch long needle)
IM Injection (1 to 1½ inch long needle)
IV Injection (1½ inch long needle)
Animal Size (lb)
<300
>700
Needle Gauge
Thin 18
18-16 16
20-18
16-14
Thick
Select the needle to fit the cattle size (the smallest practical size without bending).
1 An example of a thin viscosity fluid: saline; thick: oxytetracycline
Need to tell them that this is a good table they can use to determine what size needle to use.
It is in the back of the BQA manual
16 and 18 gauge are the most common choices 56

57. Avoid Breaking Needle Properly restrain the animal
Avoid plastic hubs, select aluminum to minimize risk of breaking
IF you break off a needle in an animal, MUST retrieve it OR eliminate the animal from entering food / rendering channels
Key to reducing the risk of breaking off a needle in an animal is to PROPERLY RESTRAIN the animals
Avoid cheaper plastic hubs as they are more likely to break than aluminum or stainless steel
IMPORTANT if a needle breaks off in an animal, MUST retrieve it or prevent the animal from entering the human food chain or the rendering process 15 57

58. Change Needles—IF…. Bends
Contacts manure, dirt or irritating chemicals
Needle point becomes burred (dropped syringe, hit chute, etc…)
Becomes dull or contaminated (every 1 to 15 head)
Between cattle with known blood-borne infectious disease (anaplasmosis, leukosis) 58

59. Proper Use of Syringes
Disposable syringes are recommended over multi-dose syringes
Remove air from syringe after drawing
Sterilize syringes and needles properly
Boil
Do Not Use Disinfectants in or on syringes/needles for vaccine or medicine injections
Must boil your syringes and reusable needles to sterilize them! Only way!
If you use a disinfectant (alcohol, etc.) then it can kill your vaccine if using a Modified Live vaccine. Even if you dry them you may have residual disinfectant that can decrease the activity of the vaccine. 11 59

60. Automatic Syringes
Genesis Instruments Mini-Cartridge® Automatic Syringe System
Recommend 35 ml/cc syringes (red)
Disposable barrel eliminates cleaning
Veterinary Concepts sells to veterinarians.
Edward’s Agri-Sales sells the starter package for the 35cc syringe for $52.95 plus Shipping/handling.
Vet Concepts
Producers- Edwards Agri-Sales 60

61. General Syringe & Needle Care
Separate syringes for antibiotics & vaccines
Label syringes – Keep from drawing vaccine into antibiotic syringe
Properly dispose of used needles
Sharps Container
Hard plastic container (ie. Used laundry detergent container)
Do not throw them directly into trash 16

62. Manage Needles And Syringes
Separate needles should be used for filling syringes and injecting animals.
Change needles after about 10 injections (depending on biosecurity plan).
Replace bent or burred needles.
Disposable syringes are recommended instead of multiple-dose syringes.
Follow guidelines found on this slide. Some diseases such as Anaplasmosis, Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV), and others can be transmitted through the blood on a needle from one animal to another. 62

63. Do Not Combine Animal Health Products
Use combination products when possible to minimize number of injections.
Mixing two different vaccines WILL NOT produce one that will protect against both diseases.
Mixing unlike products can destroy the effectiveness of both products.
Do not mix vaccines or drugs. Mixing them will usually result in an product that does not do anything or a product that is more reactive with tissues than the originals.
If you administer 2 products give them at least 4 inches apart. 63

64. Site Selection CLEAN injection site, Avoid Wet Hides
Never inject any product IM behind the slope of the shoulder
use the neck only
Choose SQ when product allows
Never give more than 10cc of any product in one location, less if product directs
Emphasize that you should only inject 10 mL (cc) into one site
Emphasize that if product is labeled for Subcu route, this is the route of choice over IM
Ensure IM injections are 3-5” in front of slope of shoulder to avoid damaging tender shoulder muscle cuts 7 64

65. Space injections a hand width apart
I.M. & SQ SQ
IM Intramuscular
SQ Subcutaneous
(under skin)
Space injections a hand width apart
Area for intramuscular and subcutaneous injection sites in neck for BQA. Below the ligament that supports the neck, above the veterbrae of the neck, ahead of the point of the shoulder. Every ordered a “neck steak”? Keep tissue damage in areas of less value, yet still have good efficacy of product.
Courtesy of Ohio State University
3 & 4 65

66. Courtesy of Dr. Ron Gill, Texas A&M
This photo shows a chute that allows great access to the proper injection site area.
Courtesy of Dr. Ron Gill, Texas A&M 66

67. This slide shows the proper way to give a SubQ injection in the triangle area
Tenting Method
Pull up the hide creating a pocket
Hold syringe parallel to the hide
Use shorter needle 67

68. Practice Good Sanitation
Use boiling water to clean syringes used for MLV. Don’t use disinfectants or soap on inside portion of syringe.
Make sure the vaccine site is clean.
Avoid injecting into damp or wet cattle or manure covered areas.
Be as clean as possible. 11 68

69. Implant Cattle Properly
Properly restrain animals
Clean implant needle with disinfectant (tray and moist sponge to lay gun on)
Never sacrifice careful implantation technique for speed
Sanitation is very important
When implanting you need to take your time because if you don’t do it right you are going to be losing money 69

70. This is a diagram of the proper place to put an implant
Between the two ribs 70

71. Biosecurity
System of management procedures to prevent or reduce the risk of introducing disease into your operation
Directly affects BQA if it poses a public health risk with residues or disease causing pathogens
Indirectly if the disease impacts the quality or the subsequent treatment of the disease negatively effects quality
Test and quarantine replacements for at least 2 weeks but prefer 4 weeks
Disinfect equipment
Load and unload at the edge of the farm
Be careful when you return from visits to stockyards
Be careful when you help
neighbors that are having a
disease outbreak
Control visitors

72. Written Records Transition Slide to Records- MONITOR and record events
You cannot expect anyone to give you more for cattle if you cannot provide information about what you have done.
How can you track a problem without records? 72

73. Herd Health Plan
A good health plan will decrease the risk of food safety and beef quality defects
A year round management calendar is highly recommended
Dates for major herd activities
Dates for the different vaccinations/treatments
Dates for breeding soundness in bulls
Keeping a calendar of events for the beef herd is a good way of planning future activities and keeping track of what has already happened. By keeping track of these events on a calendar you can plan them well in advance and have the proper supplies on hand 73

74. Why are treatment Records Important?
Documentation of what was done
Written reminder of withdrawal time (and allowable marketing date)
Extra-label drug use
Residue violations
Proof of drugs used
Records are the basis for the BQA program. We just can’t count on memory to keep track of when we treated animals and with what. If we are ever asked about what we did to a specific animal we marketed we need to be able to produce records showing what was given when, and if we did something off-label that we need to prove that we did it under the direction of our veterinarian. We also need to be able to pass an animal health record along with that cattle when that is requested like it is in many value-added calf marketing programs. 20 74

75. Record Keeping Keep records for at least 2 years for
Pasture/crop pesticides
Feed and drug additives
Health processing
Individual animal treatment
In practice, most problems that would result in us needing to show our records would occur within one year. However, in some cases it might be longer, and it will also be useful to be able to look back at your own records for reference. The time for keeping all records for the NC-BQA program is three years. After that time, records can be discarded or archived. 8 75

76. Treatment records
Individual and group treatment records should include
Animal ID (or group identification if group processing)
Treatment type
Treatment date
Treatment dose
Prescribed withdrawal time
Product used with serial/lot number
and expiration date
Route of administration
Location of injections
Name of person administering treatment
All this needs to be recorded each time we process animals, or do an individual animal treatment. 76

77. Feed Records Keep a label on each lot of bagged feed
On bulk commercial feeds
ask for invoices including
Date
Amount
Lot/Batch number
Signatures of person delivering and receiving the feed
On bulk commodities keep source information
Each time you get bagged feed you should keep a label for your records. If you buy small quantities frequently this may not be practical, but it is still a good idea to do it. When you get bulk commercial feeds you need to keep a delivery record. When you get bulk commodities you need to know who the broker was or where they came from. This information will generally be on the bill. 77

78. Processing/Treatment and Records
All cattle (fed and beef or dairy market cows/bulls) shipped to harvest will be checked by appropriate personnel to ensure that animals that have been treated have met label or prescription withdrawal times for all animal health products administrated
All processing and treatment records should be transferred with the cattle to next production level.
Prospective buyers must be informed of any cattle that have not met withdrawal times

79. Written Records on “Paper” which are kept for at least 2 years

80. Read and follow the label!
KY-BQA
Read and follow the label!
Use common sense
and do things right!
Questions?
The two most important things to remember about the program! One is you should always read and follow the label. The only time off-label use is allowed is with drugs under the direction of a veterinarian. The other is that most things about BQA are simply common sense. We just need to take the time to do things right.