Highlighting successful programs of NCBA as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

For more than 30 years, the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance( BQA) program has been driving continuous improvement using science-based production practices that assure cattle well-being, beef quality and safety. Currently, there are more than 500,000 BQA certifications, demonstrating the cattle industry’ s commitment to animal welfare and beef quality. The program continues to adapt and develop new resources to guide producers on their BQA journey. Spanish Language Materials

In response to producer feedback and requests, all BQA materials are in the process of being translated from English to Spanish, with additional Spanish video content to be used for training opportunities. Spanish BQA materials are available online at www. bqa. org / resources / recursos.

For the first time, a Stockmanship & Stewardship event will be conducted in Spanish, Aug. 13-14 in Canyon, Texas. This unique training is designed for feedlot operators and employees. The agenda and registration information are available at www. stockmanshipandstewardship. org. Continuing Education Credits Available for Recertification

Those who are BQA certified through in-person or online training are required to recertify every three years. Instead of going through the same foundational training, the BQA program has developed continuing education courses to create a new educational experience for those who need to recertify. An individual must obtain three continuing education( CE) credits in a recertification period, which is any time after the initial certificate is earned until one year after the original course expires.

The BQA continuing education video course library includes a variety of topics such as biosecurity, stockmanship, herd health and facility design. Producers can select courses that are of most interest to them to complete their three CE credits. For those who prefer inperson training, recertification is also available at many BQA events. Updated National Manual & Field Guide

The updated BQA National Manual serves as a resource for science-based cattle production information and is available for free at www. bqa. org / resources / manuals. It was developed to set production standards for beef quality and safety that are appropriate to an operation and which producers can realistically meet or exceed. In addition to the publication’ s availability online, the resource is also shared at the grassroots level through BQA state coordinators. An abbreviated“ Field Guide” version of the manual will be available for cattle producers and on-farm / ranch workers in summer 2025.

The BQA program will continue developing resources to help producers raise healthy animals and produce the beef consumers demand. To become BQA certified and to learn more, visit www. bqa. org.

BEEF PRICES

NBC News, CNBC, Fox News and Reuters focused on beef prices in February. NBC Nightly News also talked to NCBA Past President Kevin Kester about rising costs and pressures faced by ranchers. 1, 6

RESTAURANTS

McDonald’ s reported a drop in sales following last year’ s E. coli outbreak linked to onions but expects sales to improve this year. 7 Texas Roadhouse mentioned a slow start to 2025 was due to colder weather to start the year. 8

STATE BEEF COUNCILS & CHECKOFF AT WORK

State Beef Councils in New York, Wisconsin and Iowa announced the start of competitions to find their state’ s best burger. Kentucky kicked off its annual Derby Day Burger Challenge. 1

Media and consumer attention remains on the price of eggs more than beef. In February mentions about eggs and the consumer price index outnumbered those about beef 22 to 1. 1

Shake Shack reported another quarter of sales growth. The chain also announced plans to expand to more than 1,500 locations from its current total of 329. 3

During American Heart Month, State Beef Councils took part in television segments to talk about the nutritional benefits of beef. The February segments were featured on WUSA, WFTS and WSYR in D. C., Florida and New York. 1

GOOD NEWS FOR BEEF

Grocery publications including Supermarket News mentioned meat sales increasing to start the year, driven mostly by the demand for beef. 2

GOOD NEWS FOR BEEF

The owners of Burger King and Taco Bell both shared details of strong sales growth for the last quarter based in part on the success of value meal promotions. 4, 5

GOOD NEWS FOR BEEF

More than 515 news outlets with a potential reach of 207 million featured the Issues Management and Public Relations team’ s guide on how to Let Beef Take Your Big Game Party to the Endzone. 1

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