2026 Beef Quality Assurance award winners announced during CattleCon
Winners of the 2026 Beef Quality Assurance Awards were announced Feb. 3 during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville. The BQA Awards annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of day-to-day activities.
“BQA continues to be the cattle industry’s leading education program for animal care and handling,” Buck Wehrbein, NCBA president said in a news release. “We are excited to recognize these award winners who exemplify the BQA program and share their commitment with others.”
2026 BQA Award Winners include:
2026 BQA Cow-Calf Award
East Foundation Ranches, LLC, Hebbronville, Texas
East Foundation Ranches, located in south Texas, traces its origins back to the 1900s when Tom T. East began his cattle operation. Today, the ranch spans 217,000 acres across six ranches in separate locations encompassing diverse native rangeland. The ranch is dedicated to advancing land stewardship through ranching, science, and education and their mission is to do what’s right for the land and the life that depends on it.
2026 BQA Dairy FARM Award
Singing Brook Farms, Imler, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1951, Singing Brook Farms is a thriving dairy operation housing 300 cows and 250 replacement heifers, along with 3,000 acres of land. BQA and FARM animal care standards are crucial components within the farm’s operations, shaping their unique production environment and business structure. By adhering to these standards, the farm aims to achieve optimal animal welfare, higher productivity and financial sustainability. These standards emphasize continual employee training and meticulous record keeping, ensuring the well-being of the cattle and the overall success of the dairy operation.
2026 BQA Feedyard Award
Ordway Cattle Feeders, Ordway, Colorado
Ordway Cattle Feeders is invested in the care and comfort of its cattle, having expanded and updated the feedlot to better accommodate different sizes, ages and feeding stages of cattle. The feedyard brings in university BQA experts to provide all employees with foundational training on best management practices, and works closely with expert nutritionists, veterinarians and industry professionals to assess their daily production practices, which provides outside perspectives to foster continuous improvement.
2026 BQA Marketer Award
Sysco Corporation, Houston, Texas
Founded in 1969, Sysco Corporation is the world’s largest foodservice distributor and a major provider of animal protein products for consumers around the globe. The company is dedicated to driving improved animal welfare practices while upholding stringent standards for all Sysco Brand animal products. Part of this commitment is driving awareness of BQA and making it the standard with their sales team for discussing cattle care and sustainability with chefs and restaurant customers.
2026 BQA Educator Award
Jerry Yates, West Virginia University, Wardensville, West Virginia
Born and raised in West Virginia on a small Jersey dairy farm, Jerry Yates was an active member of 4-H and FFA growing up. He graduated with a degree in animal science from West Virginia University and worked as an Ohio extension agent before returning home to manage one of WVU’s research units. For nearly three decades, Jerry has been involved with BQA, and his greatest passion is helping producers improve their operations through implementation of BQA practices.
The national BQA Awards are sponsored by Cargill and Sam’s Club. Award winners are selected by a committee comprised of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups, who assess nominations based on their demonstrated commitment to BQA practices, their service as leaders in the beef industry and their dedication to promoting the BQA message. For more information about each of the award winners, visit https://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-awards.
