Beef Quality Assurance Awards

NAtional Beef Quality Assurance Awards

The National BQA Award recognizes outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations. A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program.

How are winners selected?

National BQA award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef councils and affiliated groups. Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group, or individual on behalf of a U.S. beef producer. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, however, the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application.

Five National BQA Awards (Cow-Calf, Feedyard, Dairy, Marketer and Educator) are funded in part by The Beef Checkoff program with additional financial support provided by Cargill Meat Solutions. The program promotes beef quality assurance in all segments of the industry, including commercial cow-calf, seedstock, stocker operators, feedlots and dairy operations.

2025 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners

Cow Calf Award

Parker ranch, Hawaii

Long before the term “sustainability” became part of the daily vernacular, the Hawaiian people understood what it meant to be “pono” or in right relationship with nature. Parker Ranch has embraced the BQA stewardship principles as they represent the same commitment to the land, the animals, and the people. They demonstrate a shared responsibility to raise animals in a way that respects natural resources and ensures cattle health and well-being, beef quality and food safety.

Feedyard Award

grimmius cattle company, california

Grimmius Cattle Company often retains ownership and thus responsibility for cattle throughout their entire lives. This creates an opportunity to apply comprehensive BQA guidelines and partner with others within the industry who also follow BQA principles. BQA guidelines build the framework for their practices and policies from animal welfare to employee safety. All 800 full-time employees at Grimmius are BQA certified as well as partner feedyards and all individuals that are shipping loads out of Grimmius ranches. Additionally, all haulers that Grimmius contracts with are BQA Transportation certified.

Dairy Award

VanBedaf DAIRY, North Dakota

Employee training and established operating procedures ensure continuous management practices are maintained for the cattle at VanBedaf Dairy. The dairy has hosted Curt Pate to train employees and neighbors wanting to improve their cattle handling skills. All staff employed by the dairy are required to sign a letter of commitment to cow care. This is a pledge to treat the animals in the most humane way to ensure cow quality of life and consumer trust.

Marketer Award

Producers livestock, utah

Producers Livestock implements BQA principles that focus on proper doctoring of cattle that come through the facility. The marketing cooperative is committed to traceability and transparency, ensuring that cattle meet stringent requirements for health, handling, and quality. They also have established animal handling practices based on BQA guidelines and they share information about BQA with producers beyond Utah to those in other western states.

Educator Award

dr. Keith belk, colorado

Dr. Belk’s efforts to improve beef quality and safety are backed by his ability to help cattle producers understand beef safety and product quality and intentional dissemination of research, particularly to producers at the ranch and feedlot, which maps opportunities to improve meat quality and recapture value through the beef supply chain. His research, teaching and outreach efforts have contributed to marked improvements in the beef supply during his decades of work in this field. One of his most valuable contributions is his visionary involvement and leadership with the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) research since its inception.