Meet South Dakota's certified BQA trainers

By Scout Nelson

In South Dakota, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certified Trainers play a critical role in the agricultural landscape. Their primary mission is to deliver in-person BQA certification courses, essential for ensuring high standards in beef production.

These trainers are also a go-to resource for producers looking for help with standard operating procedures (SOPs), employee training materials, and templates for BQA records.

Certified professionals conduct voluntary on-farm evaluations for producers, including BQA Feedyard Assessment, Stocker Assessment, and Cow-Calf Assessment, to maintain quality standards and trustworthiness in South Dakota's beef industry, contributing to the industry's integrity.

Below is a list of certified BQA Trainers across various locations in South Dakota and nearby areas, ready to support producers in their quest for excellence in beef quality:

• Brookings: SDSU Extension's Maristela Rovai, Warren Rusche, Julie Walker, and Jacob Geis, DVM, are available for guidance.
• Dell Rapids: Dells Veterinary Services' Corale Dorn and Edgar Gonzalez offer their expertise.
• Highmore: Prairie View Veterinary Clinic's April Schilder is a valuable resource.
• Kimball: Marissa Mogck from Sioux Nation Ag Center is ready to assist.
• Lemmon: SDSU Extension's Robin Salverson shares her knowledge.
• Miller: Prairie View Veterinary Clinic and Midwest Veterinary Service-Miller have Eric Knock, Rebecca Whitlock, and Hailey Ehlers on board.
• Mitchell: SDSU Extension's Addie Womack and Sydney Vanderhoff are available.
• Parker: Roland Good from Parker Veterinary Clinic offers his services.
• Parkston: Dave Barz of Northwest Veterinary & Supply and Jacob Geis, DVM, are key contacts.
• Platte: Darrell Kraayenbrink at Platte Veterinary Hospital is ready to help.
• Rapid City/Brookings: Sydni Borders represents SDSU.
• Redfield: The Vet's Gina Neu-Paulsen is a certified trainer.
• Scotland: Sioux Nation Ag Center's Benjamin Merkel and Tony Sees provide their expertise.
• Watertown: Madison Kovarna from SDSU Extension is available for support.
• Wessington Springs: Prairie View Veterinary Clinic's Katie Hunsucker is ready to assist.
• Alliance, Nebraska: Dr. Thomas Furman and Dr. Deanna Overton offer their expertise at The Animal Center.
• Belle Fourche: Chris Thomsen from Bimeda is a key contact.
• Bridgeport, Nebraska: Phillip Kesterson of Zoetis provides his services.

These trainers are instrumental in ensuring that South Dakota's beef production remains at the forefront of quality and sustainability. Reach out to a certified BQA Trainer in your area to learn more about how you can contribute to the state's tradition of excellence in beef production.

Photo Credit -gettyimages-sstajic