The year 2009 was one of transformation for the Verified Beef Production – Quality Starts Here (VBP-QSH) program. With the wrap up of the age verification program and its $5 per head (tag) credit incentive, the drive for workshops and new participation has all but ceased. CFIA has reviewed the technical component of VBPQSH and given us their repeated endorsement for technical soundness of the national program. Unfortunately, segmentation of delivery has been the challenge, as various provincial agricultural Ministries have changed program consistency through Growing Forward. Articles further explaining this challenge have been featured in both Canadian Cattlemen magazine and our own Ontario Beef magazine.

Over the past 6 years, Dan Ferguson, Ron Wooddisse, and Paul Stiles have collectively held close to 250 workshops across Ontario. This process has resulted in a database of over 2700 operations that have been trained in the on-farm food safety requirements of the VBP program. Some have seen value in following through with the audit component to register their operations. Two years ago we trained an auditor, in addition to Dan, Ron and Paul to ensure third party objectivity in the audit process. We have been pleased with the efficient and personable approach of Gabriella Surerus in managing this aspect of our program. Specific value chains or branded beef alliances have sought her services to add national credibility to their local marketing strategies. If you require this for your operation, please contact the OCA office to facilitate the audit process.

New features for those on our database have included invitation to the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS). BIXS is a national cattle and carcass information exchange system that will improve communications and information-sharing across the beef chain. We have nominated a select few producers to participate in the pilot of the carcass data capture and data exchange on a national level. The expectation is to expand those involved as the system develops. As well, funding was made available for RFID readers and compatible software to large herd operators. This was an attempt to facilitate better matching of tag “reads” and manageable data capture for proactive operations.

Our goals as we begin a New Year include a plan help facilitate increased information capture for calf clubs and progressive producers. Through auctions and county clubs, we will work with VBP producers to help collect, catalogue and enhance on-farm data of VBP operations to maximize the marketing options and value of those calves. Making this information available to the feedlot or backgrounder has been shown to help both sides of the transaction. Dismissing the work we have done to date due to provincial variations in delivery is not an option and would be a terrible waste of the work and dedication that has been invested in the national VBP program – by staff and producers alike.

Contact Dan Ferguson or connect through other OCA staff regarding the program features, as covered in this report.