USDA Quality Systems Assessment Program

The USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program provides suppliers of agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services. This assurance is based on meeting product requirements through a documented quality management system.  A QSA program allows beef from US cattle to be eligible for the Japan market and certifies that cattle are less than 20 months of age through documentation, verification, and traceability. 

In the summer of 2005, the Beef Marketing Group saw the need to develop a USDA QSA program allowing them to customize the program to BMG member feedlots and also enhance market flexibility.  The Beef Marketing Group received their USDA QSA certification Sept. 19, 2005.  This QSA certification allows cattle enrolled in the program as source and age verified that are less than 20 months of age to be marketed to Japan.  BMG feedlots offer their customers the opportunity to participate in the evolving market place and the option to be placed on their approved supplier list. 

BMG requirements for QSA cattle are as follows:

1. Unique group identification (ear tag or brand)
2. Group birth date records
3. Defined calving season (not year around calving)
4. Supplier evaluation – source & age verification may be accomplished by the following methods:
1. BMG supplier evaluation
2. USDA Process Verified* Data Service Providers
3. USDA Process Verified programs with source & age as a claim
4. State QSA program
5. Pre-conditioning QSA program
6. Salebarn QSA program

BMG USDA QSA Certified Feedlots:

Barton Co. Feeders
Great Bend Feeding
Golden Belt Feeders, Kinsley
Golden Belt Feeders, St. John
Knight Feedlot
Mull Farms & Feeding – Pawnee Rock/Haviland
Ward Feedyard
Roberts Cattle Co.
Thomas Co. Feeders
Seibert Feeding
Smoky Hill Feeders
Lewis Feedlot
McClymont Feedyard
Windmill Feeders

*USDA Process Verified Program

The USDA Process Verified Program provides suppliers of agricultural products or services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services. The specified process verified points are identified by the supplier.  Suppliers with approved USDA Process Verified Programs are able to make marketing claims associated with their process verified points — such as age, source, feeding practices, or other raising and processing claims — and market themselves as "USDA Process Verified."

For additional information contact Heather Donley.