IBIC Iowa Beef Industry Council : Pruismann, Mosher, and Doran win 2016 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Awards

AMES, IOWA - During the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit, the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) recognized Kent and Sylvia Pruismann of Rock Valley, the Mosher family of Liscomb, and Dr. Beth Doran of Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Orange City for the 2016 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards. The three recipients exemplify continual improvement for the beef industry, encourage fellow producers to implement BQA practices, operate sustainable cattle businesses, utilize low-stress, effective stockmanship handling practices, and display the beef industry's daily commitment of proudly producing safe, wholesome and healthy beef.

Rock River Feeders, the 2016 Iowa BQA Feedyard Award recipient, is owned and managed by Kent and Sylvia Pruismann of Rock Valley, IA. Their management and attention to details ensure the highest quality beef is produced from healthy cattle. Management techniques include, but are not limited to, training of all employees, acclimating newly weaned calves to their feedyard with low-stress, effective stockmanship handling practices, implementing BQA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) throughout their family's operation with the BQA Feedyard Assessment, working closely with their local veterinarian, and sharing information with surrounding beef producers.

Mosher Angus Farms, owned and operated by the Mosher family of Liscomb, which includes Norval and Esther along with Jim, Brenda, Lauren, and Leah Mosher, received the 2016 Iowa BQA Cow-Calf Award. Their family's operation includes a purebred Angus cow-calf herd, feedyard, and row crop production. The Mosher family has implemented low-stress, effective stockmanship handling practices that have been valuable across all segments of their family's cattle farm. In addition, Jim has created learning activities to share with local elementary students about their farm.

The BQA Educator Award winner included Dr. Beth Doran of ISU Extension and Outreach in Northwest Iowa. Beth has hosted BQA producer certification opportunities and BQA Feedyard Assessment Workshops for county and surrounding area beef producers to share the BQA message every day. In addition, Beth continuously strives to educate, demonstrate, and promote BQA in all her programming to ensure a safe, high quality, and wholesome beef supply for consumers with area beef producers.

'The BQA program's mission is to build beef demand by maximizing consumer confidence in beef while exceeding their eating expectations,' said Doug Bear, Director of Industry Relations for the Iowa Beef Industry Council and BQA State Coordinator. 'The BQA awards are just a small way to recognize the outstanding men and women in Iowa who put great tasting beef on our consumer's plate each and every day. It is imperative that we recognize the practices and stewardship that is involved within the beef industry on a daily basis. This year's award recipients are a testament to cattlemen caring for their land and livestock while being involved in their local communities. Through their leadership and implementation of BQA on their operations, the future of the beef industry is bright.'

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

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head beef checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.

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