LINCOLN, Neb — Beef Quality Assurance, a program developed by cattlemen in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is playing a central role in how beef products are raised with animal welfare, food safety and responsible management in mind. In Nebraska, veterinarians are directly involved in that work, helping producers apply research-based practices to their operations — changes that ultimately affect what reaches consumers.
Sierra Rush, a veterinarian who works with feedlot and cow-calf operations through Rice Veterinarian Services in Broken Bow, is involved in Beef Quality Assurance training and works directly with producers to improve cattle care and management practices.
“Veterinarians are the middlemen, really,” Rush said. “We work with the producers, and then we work with Nebraska BQA, and we’re given that research on how best we can use husbandry skills to advance care at the production level.”…