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Commentary: The Kentucky native worked with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association for the past five years.

December 9, 2020

3 Min Read
Cattle at feeder
NEW TO NEBRASKA: Jesse Fulton, who grew up in Kentucky and previously worked with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in Denver, recently made the move to Scottsbluff, Neb. Tyler Harris

Jesse Fulton headshot

Editor's note: In November, Jesse Fulton (pictured) began his new role as the Beef Quality Assurance state coordinator for Nebraska, a position previously held by Rob Eirich.

Greetings, Nebraska beef producers. My name is Jesse Fulton. I am the new Beef Quality Assurance state coordinator for Nebraska. For the past five years, I was with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, where I worked on the Producer Education team.

My duties at NCBA included working on the National BQA and Beef Quality Assurance Transportation  (BQAT) program, managing the National Cattlemen's College event, Cattlemen's Webinar Series, and the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit.

Before joining NCBA, I acquired my master's degree in animal science from South Dakota State University, where my primary focus was on meat science and fetal programming. My research at SDSU focused on the effect of copper and zinc source on preweaning performance of cows, health and performance of suckling calves, and postweaning feedlot performance, carcass composition and meat quality of calves.

Before heading to South Dakota, I received my bachelor's degree at Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. While at Morehead, I lived at the university farm, where I helped with the day-to-day operations when not in class at the horse, hog, sheep and cattle units.

I grew up in the backwoods of Kentucky in Lewis County, near Tollesboro, Ky. I would say my love for cattle began with my family raising our own beef and spending time on my grandparents' dairy.

Growing up, I had a yearning to learn all I could about farming, cattle and horses. I was the kid who would show up at the neighboring cattle operation to "lend a helping hand." I owe my entire agriculture knowledge to family neighbors who let me follow them around, soaking up all the knowledge I could.

On Oct. 10, I married my bride, Brittany Schaneman, of Scottsbluff, Neb. Brittany and I met during our time at NCBA, and have since made our move out of Denver back to Scottsbluff to enjoy "The Good Life."

I'm excited to come onboard with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as BQA state coordinator. Implementation of the BQA and BQAT program in a state such as Nebraska, "the Beef State," is important to the beef industry.

Beef consumers want to know more about how cattle are being raised for beef. Participation in the BQA program helps the everyday beef producer tell that story.

A producer or cattle hauler who follows and practices BQA and BQAT principles demonstrates their commitment to beef safety and quality, safeguards the public image of the beef industry, helps maintain consumer confidence in beef, and protects the industry from governmental regulation.

My goal for the Nebraska BQA and BQAT program is to make it the leading BQA and BQAT program in the nation. But I need the help of Nebraska producers. If you are a cattle producer or hauler, consider becoming BQA or BQAT certified today.

It does not matter if you care for or haul one or 100,000 head of cattle — you should be participating in the BQA and BQAT program. See the program as a badge of honor that you are doing your part to ensure a safe, wholesome product for beef consumers everywhere. Let's work together to give the state of Nebraska something else to brag about within the beef community.

If you were previously certified, don't forget that certifications are only good for three years. Try to get to an upcoming BQA training to become recertified or recertify online at bqa.org.

For more information, visit bqa.unl.edu. I hope to visit with you somewhere down the road.

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