Two half-grown calves that are off-white in color stand looking at the camera. They have orange OQBN ear tags in their right ears. — Calves enrolled in the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network program are sold at the OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno and other participating sale barns across the state. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Agriculture)

Apply now to Oklahoma Beef Quality Network for certified sales this fall

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Editorial Communications Coordinator | 405-744-9152 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University Extension invites cattle producers to participate in the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network, a value-added marketing program.

In partnership with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, OSU Extension offers the OQBN Network for beef producers, educators, veterinarians and industry professionals to elevate animal quality standards and improve communication between all segments of Oklahoma’s beef industry. Implementing OQBN requirements has increased the value of program-certified cattle by $5.9 million from 2010-23.

Producers who enroll in the OQBN program receive educational support from Extension professionals to enhance the health and performance of their herds. OQBN benefits include verification of management practices, potential increased market value, reduced calf stress, increased calf health and performance. The program also supports alignment with appropriate value-added cattle markets and increased marketing opportunities at local sale facilities.

“Respiratory disease continues to be an issue in our beef production system,” said Paul Beck, OSU Extension specialist in beef nutrition. “Preconditioning is one of the best ways to counter this threat by preparing calves for the stress of marketing, transportation and receiving at the stocker or finishing facility.”

Producer Roger Erickson, who raises red and black Angus cattle in Haskell County, said marketing calves through the OQBN program has consistently increased profits for his operation.

“When you sell in an OQBN sale, the cattle bring more money,” he said. “It’s been worthwhile to sell my spring steers and heifers at El Reno in the OQBN sale and I see the benefits of the program.”

Brody Bush and his father run a cow-calf operation in Woods County and have been longtime participants in the OQBN program and its additional VAC-45 enrollment.

“It’s an excellent program for both sides because the seller gets a premium for their cattle and the buyer gets a better product,” Bush said. “Cattle buyers know what vaccinations the cattle have had and how many days out they are. It takes some of the liability away, especially from the buyers’ side. They know more about what they’re buying and the quality.”

The fall lineup of 10 OQBN-certified sales kicks off Nov. 5 at the OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno for calves with a 60-day wean date of Sept. 6 and a 45-day wean date of Sept. 21. Sale barn dates for 2024-25 include:

OKC West Livestock, El Reno

Nov. 5
Nov. 19
Dec. 10
Jan. 21, 2025

McAlester Union Stockyards

Nov. 12
Feb. 4, 2025
April 8, 2025

Payne County Stockyards, Perkins

Nov. 13

Southern Plains Livestock, Blackwell

Nov. 25

LeFlore County Livestock, Wister

Dec. 7

Big Iron Auctions, online

Nov. 19

To learn more about the OQBN program and apply for certification this fall, contact OQBN coordinator Paul Vining at 405-744-4268 or paul.vining@okstate.edu.

Watch Vining discuss OQBN updates for this fall on “SUNUP,” the production agriculture television show of OSU Agriculture.