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This project addresses the issues of food safety and animal welfare in Nevada's beef and dairy operations through beef quality assurance, daity quality assrance and low stress cattle handling training.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This project will afford producers the opportunity to improve management of risk in a variety of areas. In the food safety liability area, producers implementing sound BQA practices will eliminate drug tissue residues. This will contribute to consumer confidence of a safe and wholesome product as well as improve their bottom line by preventing drug residue fines and carcass quality issues. Additionally, selection of suitable cull animals will minimize inappropriate animals being introduced into the food chain. Putting into practice of all of the tenets of quality assurance will help producers; manage risk in animal disease through a sound biosecurity program, identify herd or carcass issues though sound record keeping, and assess carcass traits that fit with their production practices that will increase return. Utilization of low stress handling techniques be producers and staff offers livestock owners improved carcass quality, rate of gain and efficiency, better animal health and a positive public perception regarding animal welfare issues.
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APPROACH: Producers will be given a variety of tools that when implemented will help with consumer confidence of a safe and wholesome product. Producers will be asked to sign a contract to follow quality assurance guidelines. The contract between producers and the project team will provide a commitment for implementation. An in-depth cattle handling workshop that targets the Spanish speaking workers will lead to increased production and improved animal health through decreased stress. Follow-up evaluations at 4-6 months post workshop will assess implementation of these tools.