BQA - NMSU's Dr. Wenzel Recognized as National BQA Educator

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2024) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, announced the winners of the 2024 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, sponsored by Cargill. The National BQA Awards, funded in part by the Beef Checkoff, annually recognize outstanding educators, beef and dairy producers, and marketers.

“These winners are committed to incorporating BQA principles into their day-to-day operations,” said Josh White, senior executive director of producer education and sustainability at NCBA. “Their dedication to animal care and continuous improvements results in high-quality beef for consumers.”

When New Mexico brought BQA to the state in the early 1990s, Dr. John Wenzel, DVM, then in private practice, stepped up to teach producers the principles and management techniques to improve beef quality and safety. He traveled thousands of miles on his own dime to conduct BQA training sessions for hundreds of beef producers throughout the state. Currently the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service DVM, Dr. Wenzel trains producers on how to provide the safest and most wholesome beef products possible. The end goal is building consumer confidence which is also the main focus of his BQA education program. His decades of service to his profession, community, state, college and universities along with noted success of numerous programs, contributes to his reputation as a professional influencer and quality educator in this industry.

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 to grow consumer confidence.

Dr. Wenzel was nominated for this prestigious national award by Dina Reitzel, Executive Director of the New Mexico Beef Council; Shanna Ivey, PhD, Department Head and Professor, Animal and Range Sciences and Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University; and Loren Patterson, President of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. He was honored on the national stage and a reception was sponsored for Dr. Wenzel by the New Mexico Beef Council and hosted at the NMSU Animal Sciences booth at the 2024 Cattlecon Cattle Industry convention trade show in Orlando last month. Congratulations Dr. Wenzel!