The National BQA Award
The National BQA Award recognizes outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators 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..
How are winners selected?
National BQA award winners are 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.
Five National BQA Awards (Cow-Calf, Feedyard, Dairy, Marketer and Educator) are funded in part by The Beef Checkoff program with additional financial support provided by Cargill Meat Solutions. The program promotes beef quality assurance in all segments of the industry, including commercial cow-calf, seedstock, stocker operators, feedlots and dairy operations.
VISTA GRANDE FARM, PENNSYLVANIA - Dairy Award
Phoebe Bitler is the co-owner of Vista Grande Farms along with husband David and their son Jesse. Originally founded in 1937 by Phoebe’s parents, Vista Grande Farm is a Registered Holstein dairy operation with 100 milking cows as well as 150 replacement females that the Bitler’s develop for them and for neighboring dairies. Phoebe helps manage the day-to-day operations and focuses much attention on maximizing cow comfort through regular hoof trimming, water beds, and by using tunnel ventilation in their barns. Vista Grande Farm is located in a densely populated county in southeastern Pennsylvania right next to a heavily traveled road which has created some challenges but also provides the opportunity to showcase a tidy farmstead, along with clean and well cared for animals to the consuming public.
LITERRA FARM, PENSYLVANIA - Dairy Award
John Ligo is the co-owner of LiTerra Farm, located in Grove City, Pennsylvania along with wife Judy. Originally founded in 1988, LiTerra Farm includes 230 milking cows as well as 180 homebred dairy replacements. John also owns a beef cow-calf enterprise as well as a registered seedstock operation. John focuses on using his resources efficiently to produce a wholesome product and be environmentally responsible. John is also active in numerous organizations that support Beef Quality Assurance and has been a strong public role model for BQA.
PLEASANT VIEW FARMS, PENNSYLVANIA - Dairy Award
The dairy operation of Pleasant View Farms is comprised of 550 milk cows, which produce in excess of 13 million pounds of milk annually. Also, Pleasant View Farms raises 550 herd replacements to support the milking herd. The forage needs for the 1, 1 00 head of dairy animals are raised on 750 acres of cropland, of which 150 are owned and 600 are rented. The current crop rotation consists of 450 acres of com for silage, 100 acres of alfalfa hay, 50 acres of small grain and 150 acres in grass and pasture. As a dairy producer, it has always been Logan's goal to utilize resources as efficiently and as responsibly as possible to produce a high quality, wholesome product. Extra attention to animal care and stewardship always haves returned great rewards to Pleasant View Farms, both in the sense of productivity and high quality products. As in most confinement dairy operations, two big management challenges have always been mastitis and lameness. Pleasant View Farms enrolled in a program with a supplier to evaluate the milking parlor regularly for proper performance and update equipment, as new technologies are developed. Logan also coordinates milker trainings for employees to ensure proper milking procedures, thus reducing the risk of mastitis. In December 2010, old worn out free stall mattresses were replaced with a softer, more durable material to enhance cow comfort not only in the short term but also for the long term.
OREGON DAIRY FARM, PENNSYLVANIA - Dairy Award
Run as a family partnership, the Oregon Dairy Farm includes 500 milking cows and 500 replacements with forages for their cows grown on approximately 900 acres of land. The Oregon Dairy strongly believes that a healthy and comfortable cow will be the most productive. High quality animal care based on BQA practices is a standard on their farm, and employees are trained and certified in BQA. Oregon Dairy hosts a number of educational events throughout the year, teaching students and adults on how to care for their cows and the land while promoting BQA practices and awareness. BQA helps promote a positive image for the beef and dairy industry and Oregon Dairy is proud to be part of the Beef Quality Assurance Program.
BROOK-CORNER, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA - Dairy Award
Brook-Corner, LLC currently milks 340 Registered Holsteins and owns an additional 400 head of young stock on their farm in addition to farming 130 acres of crops to sustain the cattle. Brook-Corner, LLC holds themselves to a very high standard and accountability of cattle care and expects their employees to fulfill those very same duties and standards. Employees are trained by one of the owners to ensure they understand the BQA best management practices and other daily procedures. The farm and the cows are the Hoover’s livelihood and legacy, and they only wish to be the best care takers possible in order to produce high quality meat and milk.
MASONIC VILLAGE FARM, PENNSYLVANIA - Cow Calf Award
Masonic Villages is a full continuum of retirement living, personal care, and nursing services which serves more than 1,500 residents. Masonic Village Farm raises 180 cow-calf pairs, and farms about 600 acres of land. Throughout the history of the farming operation, their primary goal and focus has been to economically produce high quality agricultural products while protecting and enhancing the natural resources through conservation measures and sound best management practices through BQA.
HOFFMAN FARMS, PENNSYLVANIA - Dairy Award
Hoffman Farms is a 1,500 cow dairy operation shipping approximately 7,000 gallons of milk per day. This family run operation believes that building trust involves implementing Dairy Beef Quality Assurances practices through education and experiences to produce healthy, nutritious and safe food for our growing population.
SCATTERED ACRES, INC., PENNSYLVANIA- Dairy Award
Scattered Acres Inc., located in Bedford, Pa., is the winner of the 2019 BQA – FARM Dairy Award. Each day, the Hartman family focuses on the care of their 1,100 cows at their two locations. Knowing that their dairy cows will eventually become part of the beef supply, employees are trained to follow BQA guidelines to ensure high quality milk as well as beef. With use of technology, intensive record keeping and employee training on BQA principles, Scattered Acres is committed to delivering safe, wholesome dairy and beef products.
Willow Behrer Farms, Pennsylvania - Dairy Award
Willow Behrer Farms LLC is owned and operated by the Behrer family. The farmstead was originally settled in 1892 by Charles E. Berher with the original farmstead property consisting of 180 acres. With each generation, Willow Behrer Farms LLC has grown and evolved. One thing that has not changed is their superior commitment to quality. Willow Behrer Farms’ commitment to continuous improvement led to the implementation of the National Dairy FARM program, a BQA-equivalent certification program. The FARM program has ignited a passion for employee growth and dedication to learning.
Dotterer Dairy, Pennsylvania – Dairy
Dotterer Dairy relies on BQA and Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) principles to care for 1,200 milking cows and produce high-quality milk and beef. The farm’s focus to produce a consistent, high-quality product that provides a remarkable taste, starts with providing a comfortable life for their animals. The family expanded the dairy to include state-of-the-art technology, including a double 20 parallel milking parlor, a new group housing structure and a fully ventilated calf barn. The dairy also relies on record keeping software to maintain accurate animal treatment records, which aid in accountability and decision-making related to withdrawal times, milk production, health and reproduction. Their innovative practices have helped make the dairy a pioneer within the industry.