The Iowa Beef Industry Council wants to recognize beef producers who diligently care for and properly handle cattle in order to provide consumers with safe and wholesome beef.

Applications for the 2009 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Award are now being accepted.

The Beef Quality Assurance is a national program for beef cattle production that assures the highest standards of animal care and treatment. It was developed with guidance from animal health and well-being experts and outlines essential elements for cattle care.

More than 90 percent of all U.S. beef is raised under the Beef Quality Assurance program.The Iowa award recognizes an outstanding beef producer who best demonstrates Beef Quality Assurance practices, including sound animal husbandry practices.

Nominees should be Beef Quality Assurance-certified and work to improve the system on their operations while operating sustainable cattle businesses. The desire to encourage fellow producers to implement quality assurance and communicate what the industry is doing to en-sure quality cattle care is a plus.

The award is open to all segments of the industry: commercial cow-calf, seedstock, backgrounders, feedlots, dairy operations, auction market operators and veterinarians. Entries are due Dec. 1.

Winners will be selected by a committee of fellow cattle producers, veterinarians and pharmaceutical representatives of the beef industry.
Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group or individual. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, but nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application.

For details about the award or to download an application, visit www.iabeef.org and click on the Beef Quality Assurance tab.