johndeerefarmer
Active member
Does anyone here participate in this program? What are the advantages?
Texas Quality Beef Producers program
- Thread starter johndeerefarmer
- Start date
This question came up at CT last year. The only thing that I see that has changed, is that the program might be losing some momentum - I don't seem to hear much about it, anymore. Not sure why that is, unless it's because most buyers expect it to be done right, anyway. In any case, it's a good program and well-worth your time just for the meal. Here's a couple of my responses from CT last year when the subject came up:
Go for it. The Texas program is a great program, they feed you good and you're paying for it, anyway. Everybody can learn a little something and the guys that teach it are also cattlemen, not just PhD's. You'll even have a little fun. I'd encourage you to do I and II on the same day, if possible.
The premiums (if any) are hard to quantify. It really depends on how many cattle you are able to market at once. I really think it will become more valuable in the future, but I don't know if that value will come in the form of premiums, or discounts for not being certified. The way I look at it, it's something that we should be doing, anyway.
=============================================
I think at this time it would be a lie to tell you that there is an obvious price differential in all cases. Or even in many cases. If you're only interested in additional returns right now, you'll probably be disappointed. On the other hand, I think BQA certification will become even more important in the future. Just as preconditioning has finally been recognized to add value. It hasn't been but a couple of years ago that many producers were concerned about not being adequately compensated for preconditioning their own calves. Now, it's pretty well documented that it pays a premium and is also a bargain for buyers.
The same retailers that are beginning to show an interest in source verification of cattle will also be leaders in demanding process verification, as well. The producer's end of process verification audits should go much more smoothly with BQA certification already in place. Having the paperwork done, having the vet-client relationship well-documented, and having your own system already in place could put you in a better position for capturing premiums at the time they become available. That's if they become available. But even if they're not offered as premiums, avoiding the discounts returns the same money.
If you demand a return on time and effort now, you'd probably be happier spending your time implanting, or doing an extra deworming of calves, or almost any management related activity that will give you the opportunity to sell more weight. But if you don't mind investing a little bit of time and effort now, it seems to me that the future returns could be well worth your time and trouble. That's the way I try to look at it---an investment in the future.
When we reach the bottom side of the cycle pricewise, simple things often make a tremendous difference in our marketing opportunities. Even if we're not able to capture a premium or avoid a discount, sometimes all it takes is one more selling point to get the deal done. When everybody else has calves just like yours for sale and nobody really wants them, being able to offer a prospective buyer a set of cattle backed by BQA certification could make the difference in that buyer writing you a check or going on down the road.
http://www.texasbeefquality.com/default.htm
Go for it. The Texas program is a great program, they feed you good and you're paying for it, anyway. Everybody can learn a little something and the guys that teach it are also cattlemen, not just PhD's. You'll even have a little fun. I'd encourage you to do I and II on the same day, if possible.
The premiums (if any) are hard to quantify. It really depends on how many cattle you are able to market at once. I really think it will become more valuable in the future, but I don't know if that value will come in the form of premiums, or discounts for not being certified. The way I look at it, it's something that we should be doing, anyway.
=============================================
I think at this time it would be a lie to tell you that there is an obvious price differential in all cases. Or even in many cases. If you're only interested in additional returns right now, you'll probably be disappointed. On the other hand, I think BQA certification will become even more important in the future. Just as preconditioning has finally been recognized to add value. It hasn't been but a couple of years ago that many producers were concerned about not being adequately compensated for preconditioning their own calves. Now, it's pretty well documented that it pays a premium and is also a bargain for buyers.
The same retailers that are beginning to show an interest in source verification of cattle will also be leaders in demanding process verification, as well. The producer's end of process verification audits should go much more smoothly with BQA certification already in place. Having the paperwork done, having the vet-client relationship well-documented, and having your own system already in place could put you in a better position for capturing premiums at the time they become available. That's if they become available. But even if they're not offered as premiums, avoiding the discounts returns the same money.
If you demand a return on time and effort now, you'd probably be happier spending your time implanting, or doing an extra deworming of calves, or almost any management related activity that will give you the opportunity to sell more weight. But if you don't mind investing a little bit of time and effort now, it seems to me that the future returns could be well worth your time and trouble. That's the way I try to look at it---an investment in the future.
When we reach the bottom side of the cycle pricewise, simple things often make a tremendous difference in our marketing opportunities. Even if we're not able to capture a premium or avoid a discount, sometimes all it takes is one more selling point to get the deal done. When everybody else has calves just like yours for sale and nobody really wants them, being able to offer a prospective buyer a set of cattle backed by BQA certification could make the difference in that buyer writing you a check or going on down the road.
http://www.texasbeefquality.com/default.htm
johndeerefarmer
Active member
Thanks for the info. I completed Level I from a CD several months ago. It contained good info. Looking at the record keeping required for certification is kind of turning me off.
I think I am better off finding some kind of preconditioning program that actually would pay me for my efforts.
I think I am better off finding some kind of preconditioning program that actually would pay me for my efforts.
efb
Well-known member
Are you familiar with NETBIO ( North East Texas Beef Improvement Organization). That's basically what they are. They hold 5 or 6 pre conditioning sales each year in Sulphur Springs. I can get you the info on it if you're interested. They put together like quality and weights and sell in truck load lots. Have been getting up around 5 - 6,000 head in recent sales and I think are bringing a premium. If it's enough to pay, I don't know. I'm a seed stock producer and haven't used it.
johndeerefarmer
Active member
Is there a website for that organization and sale?
I wouldn't let the record keeping be the thing that keeps you from doing it. Most of the record keeping is stuff that we were doing, anyway.johndeerefarmer said:
Here's a couple of links to some co-mingled preconditioned sales in Texas. The first one is the one that efb was telling you about. You'll not find more honest commission men anywhere in Texas than at these two places:
http://www.sslivestockauctions.com/netbio_feeder.asp
http://www.jordancattle.com/premiumsales.htm