70 Integrity Beef Alliance I. Program Overview

Abstract

Abstract Noble Research Institute initiated a cow/calf best management practices (BMP) and marketing program in 2000. Over time, the Integrity Beef Alliance program has matured into a producer-run stand-alone Alliance that has received much favorable attention in the industry. The objectives of the program are: 1.) implement BMP’s, 2.) increase selling weights of calves, 3.) increase calf quality and uniformity, 4.) improve marketing efficiencies, 5.) utilize producer records for improvement, and 6.) educate producers to use of BMP’s. This program has developed stringent protocols that must be adhered to throughout the calf production phase. Protocols and requirements center on cow and bull genetics, herd health, preconditioning criteria, and record keeping. Producers who complete all required documentation and pay an annual membership fee are allowed to sell their calves through a value added calf sale, receive a letter of certification to provide to potential direct market buyers, or market through Superior Livestock Video utilizing the Integrity Beef Alliance logo. Through the utilization of financial and production records, members are able to benchmark themselves against other similar operations in the program and against their own performance over time to determine areas of needed improvement and areas of efficiency. Compared with the 2008 NAHMS data, producers have averaged a 28.6 kg increased weaning weight. Many producers have indicated a higher increase in weaning weight compared to their previous protocols. The program has grown from 11 producers in 2005 to 51 members in 2018.