Just like beef cattle producers, dairy producers can also become BQA certified in their states by completing a BQA or DBQA program. This certification enables producers to establish a reputation as a quality supplier. BQA certification is a process by which producers accept responsibility for the actions under which cattle on their production unit were produced. In most cases, the certification is granted to the responsible person who has completed the training and signs a “contract” stating that they will implement specific BQA or DBQA best management practices as defined by the state’s certification process.
The cattle produced by a BQA or DBQA certified producer can be identified with special BQA ear tags. This lets buyers know they were managed and marketed according to the state’s BQA certification criteria. Most BQA and DBQA programs include a re-certification process (usually every two years), where certified dairy and beef producers attend an updated re-certification training to maintain their BQA/DBQA certification status.
As part of the certification and re-certification process, random third-party verification audits are conducted. Independent, trained representatives of state or regional BQA programs perform these voluntary inspections. The verification process is intended to assist producers and to gain credibility for the BQA/DBQA certification process.