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The Iowa Beef Industry Council is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Awards, honoring cattle producers and industry partners who exemplify excellence in animal care, stewardship and continuous improvement.
Nominations are open in four categories: Cow-Calf, Feedlot, Educator and Auction Market and are due by Nov. 9. Award recipients will be announced Dec. 15, at the 2026 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.
For more than three decades, Beef Quality Assurance has been a flagship program of the Beef Checkoff, equipping U.S. beef producers with science-based best practices related to animal care, food safety and management practices. Today, the program is also utilized to convey to consumers the routine husbandry practices producers implement to raise safe, wholesome beef in a manner that also promotes animal well-being.
“The Iowa BQA awards are our chance to shine a light on the producers who are going above and beyond -- the ones their neighbors look to for guidance,” said IBIC Director of Industry Relations Casey Anderson. “These nominations come from peers who see firsthand the leadership, innovation and dedication these operations bring to the industry every day. We want to hear those stories.”
BQA awards celebrate the industry’s collective achievements and aim to continue driving the needle forward by highlighting outstanding producers. Anyone can nominate a deserving producer, veterinarian or auction market for a 2026 Iowa BQA Award. Nominations must be submitted by Nov. 9 by visiting the Iowa Beef Industry Council's website: www.iabeef.org/cattlemens-corner/iowa-bqa/bqa-award-nomination.
For more information about Iowa’s BQA program and upcoming certification opportunities, visit www.iabeef.org/cattlemens-corner/iowa-bqa.