Beef producers are invited to attend a training session on Aug. 24 for the Texas Beef Quality Producer program to sharpen their knowledge of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A complimentary lunch sponsored by Texas Beef Council will be served.

"Beef Quality Assurance is a national effort in the beef industry that focuses proven management practices that help ensure safety and quality of beef," said Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo.

"The Texas Beef Quality Producer program is the program developed for cow-calf and stocker producers in Texas," McCollum said.

In addition to focusing on the safety of beef products, the program informs producers on current industry concerns and how producers can help with increasing demand for cattle and beef, he said.

The intensive half-day training will cover BQA principles, industry updates, record keeping, environmental stewardship, management practices associated with genetic selection, cattle handling, culling and use of animal health products, said Langdon Reagan, AgriLife Extension agriculture agent for Wilbarger County.

Participants should RSVP by Aug. 16 to Stacy Fox at Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TBSCRA) at 800-242-7820, or by contacting the AgriLife Extension office in Wilbarger County at 940-552-5474.

The Beef Quality Producer program is a collaborative effort of AgriLife Extension, Texas Beef Council (TBC) and TSCRA. Funding is provided by Beef Checkoff dollars from TBC and TSCRA, as well as allied industry groups.