AMES, Iowa – David Bruene, manager of the Beef Teaching Farm at Iowa State University, was recently awarded the 2020 Cow-Calf Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award from the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
Ben Drescher, Iowa State animal science farms director, said, “David is very knowledgeable in beef cattle production and management. He is a true stockman that is willing to help anyone learn. David’s world revolves around students, as he employs 6-10 each year, and his farm is used to teach hands-on labs in 12 different courses. He is always willing to jump in and fill a void to make sure the students at Iowa State have a good learning experience.”
Bruene, of Kelley, Iowa, has served in his role as beef teaching farm manager for six years. He earned an undergraduate degree in animal science from Iowa State University and worked at the beef teaching farm while he was an undergraduate student.
BQA certification helps cattle producers implement best management practices and demonstrate commitment to food safety, quality and animal welfare. This training program helps create consistency in management practices across the state. BQA courses cover topics such as cattle health, stockmanship, marketing, emergency planning and meat quality. Utilizing these practices can also improve the value of producer’s cattle and it instills consumer confidence in beef products.
Beef teaching farm data manager, student Lauren Mosher, also spoke highly of working with Bruene. “No matter the time of year or situation, David is always working to make the Beef Teaching Farm a better place by utilizing cost-saving and unique ideas that are applicable not just at the farm, but across the Midwest. He strives for excellence and always makes sure that his crew is part of the process.”
Each year Bruene organizes a BQA training session hosted at Iowa State for both students and the public to attend. When asked about the award, Bruene said, “This award is really about the students.”
Part of Bruene’s role at the teaching farm is to help students understand and implement BQA strategies to ensure safe cattle handling and management. Students oftentimes have varying degrees of experience working with cattle, so the BQA program helps provide a consistent training program for student employees and prepares them for future success in the industry.
Andrea Carrasquillo Dávila, a senior in animal science, came to Iowa State from Puerto Rico where her family has a small cattle operation. “I have been working at the ISU Beef Teaching Farm for less than a year, and I can say for a fact that I have learned more from David than from any other experience I have had,” said Davila. “He loves what he does and is an incredible teacher for those who have the desire to learn.”
Read about the other 2020 BQA award winners here:
https://www.iabeef.org/about-us/newsroom/news/details/22474/iowa-beef-recognizes-bqa-award-recipients