Extension’s Little Red River Beef and Forage Conference offers new format, opportunity for BQA certification
March 4, 2026
By Tracy Courage
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Conference brings together beef producers in north central Arkansas
- Topics: Livestock market update and outlook, heifer development, hay economics and county hay verification program, BQA recordkeeping
- Three sessions: March 6, April 10 and May 15
- Participants who complete all three sessions eligible for Beef Quality Assurance certification
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HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. — The Little Red River Beef and Forage Conference kicks off March
6 with a new format and an opportunity for beef producers to gain Beef Quality Assurance
certification.
The conference, hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service, brings together beef producers from six counties in north central Arkansas: Cleburne, Independence, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren and White counties.
Previously a one-day event, this year’s conference format will include three free sessions, each focused on a different area of beef and forage production, said Danny Griffin, extension agent in Van Buren County for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
- March 6: Heifer development and marketing — Mountain Top Cowboy Church, 45 Heber Spring Road, Heber Springs. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- April 10: Reproduction, bull selection and bull testing — Jay H Farms, 35 Quattlebaum Road, Romance, Arkansas
- May 15: Animal health, Theileria, New World screw worm — Livestock and Forestry Research Station, 70 Experiment Station Drive, Batesville, Arkansas
Times for the April 10 and May 15 sessions will be announced later.
“By switching to a three-part series, we can cover more topics in depth and hopefully reach more people by having the sessions in difference areas of North Central Arkansas,” Griffin said. “There’s also a Beef Quality Assurance component in each meeting. Participants don’t have to attend all three, but if they do, they can become Beef Quality Assurance certified.”
“BQA helps producers ensure they are raising safe and wholesome beef by providing insight on cattle handling techniques, record keeping and herd health procedures,” said Ally Grote, extension beef cattle specialist and co-coordinator of the Arkansas BQA program.
Grote, one of the keynote speakers at the March 6 meeting, will discuss heifer development. James Michell, extension economist for Division of Agriculture, will provide a cattle market update and outlook.
Lunch will be provided, and participants are asked to register in advance by calling the Cleburne County Extension Office at 501-362-2524.
March 6 Schedule
10 a.m. — Welcome
10:05 a.m. — Heifer development
10:35 a.m. — Market outlook
11:05 a.m. — Break
11:15 a.m. — Hay verification program
12 p.m. — Lunch
12:45 p.m. — Record keeping for Beef Quality Assurance credit
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, call the Van Buren County Extension Office at 501-425-4657 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044