One important pillar program under the Beef Checkoff umbrella is Beef Quality Assurance. It serves as a vehicle for encouraging industry advancement, where scientific standards are used to set the bar and drive change. As technology evolves, so do beef producers.

Research shows consumers respond positively to beef and how it’s raised once they understand that producers subscribe to continuing education via the BQA program. Each year the Iowa Beef Industry Council acknowledges outstanding people in the industry who have helped facilitate that process. For 2022, the awards listed below were given at the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit.

2022 Iowa BQA Cow-Calf Award

This year’s cow-calf BQA recipient is veterinarian John Greving of AMVC Veterinary Services in Manning, Iowa. He has been an advocate for the beef industry and promoter of the BQA program. He works closely with Erika Lundy, Iowa State University beef Extension specialist, to integrate yearly BQA sessions into annual customer meetings, and helps producers obtain their BQA certification.

“Veterinarians play an integral role in providing animal health expertise to support on-farm efforts to produce nutritious and delicious beef,” says Casey Anderson, director of industry relations with IBIC. “He regularly practices the important tenets of the BQA program, but the separation is in Dr. Greving’s soft skills.”

One of Greving’s clients, Shayne Wiese, says, “Dr. Greving is a standout when it comes to exercising patience and respect for the animal and farmer. It doesn’t matter if it’s 3 p.m. or 2 a.m., he always takes the time to do the job right. His bedside manner is what makes Dr. Greving excellent at what he does. He’s extremely thorough in his work and isn’t afraid to deliver hard news in the name of being practical, while keeping the farmer’s best interest in mind.”

Originally from Willey, Iowa, Greving has accrued a vast resume of experiences to which has been attributed to his diverse skill set. As a 2013 graduate of ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, his veterinary passion lies in production medicine with an emphasis in cow-calf, feedlot and reproductive services. He served four years of service with the Marine Corps and a three-year stint with Pfizer Animal Health in the swine sector before spending three years at the DeWitt Vet Clinic in eastern Iowa.

He is a member of the American Association of Bovine Veterinarians and American Association of Swine Veterinarians. He’s been an active voice within the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and continues to provide leadership with the ICA Bull Test animals across the state. Greving currently serves a six-county radius in western Iowa while tending to his own cow-calf operation in his spare time. 

2022 Iowa BQA Marketer Award

The Decorah Sales Commission is the winner of the 2022 Iowa BQA Marketer Award. It provides customers with the support needed when cattle are delivered for a sale at its auction market and raises awareness for all producers to follow the BQA program.

The commission has been a great ally in helping area ISU beef Extension specialist Denise Schwab host, organize and promote annual BQA certification events at its fall customer appreciation sale. Auction market owners play an integral role in the countryside, often having heavy influence on the opinions of local producers. A convincing word to encourage producers to seek BQA certification is a great value to the industry. Joe Nelson and Jesse Massman at Decorah Sales Commission represent a wealth of industry knowledge with their own personal involvement in the industry, spanning from cow-calf production to backgrounding cattle, having a hand in the feedlot business and marketing added-value genetics through seedstock sales.

2022 Iowa BQA Feedyard Award

This year’s winner of the Iowa BQA Feedyard Award is a family affair that stems from six generations of cattle feeders. The Lauritsen Cattle Co. of Exira, Iowa, keeps the customer in mind and wants a positive customer experience while taking a professional approach to cattle feeding. It is managed by brother-sister duo Ty and Clara Lauritsen.

The yard was constructed in 1980 by the siblings’ father, Scott, who is still actively involved today. Ty and Clara actively work together to manage day-to-day operations. When cattle are received, they get a tailored health protocol based on low-, medium- and high-risk assessments. Integrating technology chute-side, in the feed truck and across other areas of operation has helped professionalize operations and ensure customers receive as much detailed information as possible. Low-stress cattle handling is important, and the Lauritsens  work with employees to instill measures that avoid high-stress situations.

Industry veterinarian and ISU faculty member Dan Thomson says, “Lauritsen Cattle Co. has led our Iowa beef industry and championed Beef Quality Assurance in their feedlot. They hosted our Iowa Carcass Challenge cattle for two years, providing excellent exposure to cattlemen on cattle care and Beef Quality Assurance in practice. The Lauritsen family continues to be a flagship example of humanely raising cattle to produce safe, wholesome, nutritious beef.”

For additional information on the awards or the Iowa BQA program, visit iabeef.org.

Source: Iowa Beef Industry Council