Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is associated with improved condition, mobility, carcass metrics, and
Sara McNichols1, Ingrid L B Fernandes1, Nathan E Rehder1
1Department of Animal Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification on relevant traits of cull dairy cows. This study compared BCS, lameness scores, hot carcass weight, and carcass damage of cull dairy cows originating from BQA and non-BQA certified farm operations at the slaughter facility. A blinded observational study was completed to visually score 611 cows from 15 different dairy operations upon arrival at the holding pens of a slaughter facility. Of the 15 farms, 9 were BQA certified. Dairy cows from BQA-certified operations had improved BCS, were less lame, had greater hot carcass weight (346 vs. 283 kg), and had less carcass damage when compared with dairy cows from noncertified farms. If we assume that the difference in hot carcass weight and damage loss can be fully attributed to BQA certification, then the certification led to an additional value of US$251/cow. These findings indicate that BQA certification is associated with improved BCS, mobility, carcass outcomes, and profit potential in cull dairy cows.
