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training session for the Alabama Beef Quality Assurance Certification Program is scheduled for 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Jan. 12 at Cattleman Park.

David Carpenter, Pike County extension agent, said the Alabama Beef Quality Assurance Certification Program is an ongoing educational program that educates cattle growers to produce safe, wholesome, defect-free beef products.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for cattle producers to continue their educational efforts to produce top-quality beef and also for cattlemen to state to consumers that they are concerned about the beef that is on the market," Carpenter said. "By doing so, consumer confidence in the quality of beef should be raised."

There is no charge for the training program, but producers who plan to attend are asked to register with the Pike County Extension Office (566-0985) by noon on Friday.

All who attend will benefit greatly from the training, Carpenter said.

"The AL-BQA program centers around eliminating product defects such as drug residues, bruising, injection site lesions, hide damage and diseases caused by improper injections or improper use and storage of drugs and vaccines," he said. "Recommended timely management practices such as dehorning, castration and implanting also will be discussed in this training."

Producers receiving certification and following AL-BQA guidelines do not have cattle that are better than others or receive more dollars than others when sold.

"What is does mean is that whoever purchases these cattle are assured that product defects have been eliminated and increased consumer acceptance," Carpenter said.

Feedlot managers/owners are being required to sign documents supplied by packers stating that BQA practices were followed.