Dairy cattle comprise a significant portion of the total U.S. beef supply. According to an audit sponsored by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in 1999, dairy producers lost about $70 for every dairy cow they sold that year because of product-quality defects, much of which could have been recaptured by eliminating or reducing the quality shortcomings.

Penn State Cooperative Extension, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Beef Council, encourage area dairy producers to attend the Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Certification Workshop, scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Leroy Bergbigler Family Dairy

in Clearfield Township

.

Topics to be discussed include an overview of the Dairy Beef Quality Assurance program and certification guidelines, best management practices for improving product quality and adding value to market animals, new technologies in animal identification, and hands-on activities and necropsy showing impact of IM injections.

Participants who become Dairy Beef Quality Assurance certified will be eligible to participate in the Blue Tag marketing program.

A portion of the program will be presented outside, so dress accordingly.

Register today by contacting the Butler County Extension Office, 724-287-4761 Ext. 225