Denver,
April 23, 2009 � Applications for the second annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award are now being accepted. The National BQA Award will recognize one outstanding beef and dairy producer 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.
The National BQA Award is funded by Safeway's Rancher's Reserve� beef brand and Cargill, and supported by The Beef Checkoff Program. The program promotes beef quality assurance in all segments of the industry, including commercial cow-calf, seedstock, stocker operators, feedlots and dairy operations.
�We're in the business of caring for animals, and beef producers understand that animal care and raising cattle go hand-in-hand,� noted John Maas, DVM, MS, veterinarian with the University of California at Davis Cooperative Extension, seedstock producer from Northern California and vice chair of the Producer Education Committee. �The BQA program is just one example of the many ways that we, as an industry, stand behind this principle.�
Two National BQA award winners will be 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. For further information on the award or to download the application, please visit http://www.bqa.org.
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,739 stores in the United States and Canada. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. Learn more at http://www.Safeway.com.
Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is a leading supplier of fresh, frozen and value-added beef, pork and turkey. The business is a subsidiary of Cargill, an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 160,000 employees in 67 countries, Cargill is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit http:// www.cargillmeatsolutions.com and http://www.cargill.com.
