- Third-Party Verified -
Certifications
Operating at a Higher Standard
Vera Earl Ranch is proud of the third-party certifications that we carry and uphold. When you see these statements on our products, we aren’t just saying it, we are living it. Every animal that goes into the Vera Earl Premium Beef program complies with the Global Animal Partnership program and is all natural (never-ever program), NHTC, and age and source verified. Additionally, Vera Earl Ranch as a whole is “CARE” certified. CARE is a certification and standard that encompasses the following three (3) pillars; 1. Animal Care, 2. Environmental Stewardship, and 3. People and Community.
The ranch also carries two Beef Quality Assurance certifications. One for our cow-calf operation and a second for transportation. All of these certifications are third-party verified, requiring annual on-site audits, as well as meticulous records. Below is an explanation of each certification Vera Earl Ranch and Vera Earl Premium Beef have for their cattle.
Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.)
Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) sets a strict standard for animal husbandry, as well as additional requirements, including a vegetarian diet (no animal by-products), as well as prohibiting the use of hormones and antibiotics. All of our beef qualifies for G.A.P. Step 4, Pasture Raised, and is certified by Earth Claims.
IMI Global + Where Food Comes From
Imi Global and Where Food Comes From have multiple “verification programs that help producers meet market requirements and confidently validate how cattle are raised. Each program documents key production practices - such as origin, diet, and use of hormones or antibiotics - through independent audits that build transparency, create differentiation, and support access to premium buyers.” - IMI Global
CARE - “What the CARE Certified Seal Means: When you see the CARE Certified label, it signals that the animal care, environmental practices, and community commitments behind the product have been independently verified. Each operation earns certification through annual audits and dedicated continuous improvement—offering a clear, trusted definition of responsible production.” - IMI Global
VERIFIED NATURAL BEEF (VNB) - “Verified Natural Beef (VNB) ensures cattle are raised under strict natural standards — no antibiotics, added hormones, or animal by- products, ever. This program verifies the integrity of “natural” beef claims, mitigating the risk of inaccurate or unverified claims and giving buyers confidence in beef raised under truly natural conditions.” - IMI Global
NON-HORMONE TREATED CATTLE (NHTC) - “NHTC verifies cattle are raised without any added growth hormones, in line with strict international requirements. This program opens access to premium domestic and international markets and assures consumers the beef comes from cattle never given growth-promoting hormones.” - IMI Global
SOURCE & AGE VERIFICATION - “Source & Age Verification confirms each animal’s origin and age, meeting export requirements and ensuring supply chain traceability. By documenting every animal’s ranch of origin and birthdate, it bolsters supply chain transparency and consumer confidence in beef origin.” - IMI Global
Traceability
Traceability within the cattle industry encompasses several important points; from the ability to know where an animal has been since birth, to following that animal through the “food chain” as they progress from the ranch, to the processor, to your plate.
Today, we use Electronic Identification Devices (EIDs) to track our cattle and the programs that they are certified for. These EIDs consist of small eartags that are each tied to a unique serial number, with each animal being assigned a number, and NO other animal in the country being associated with it. As the animals are moved through the program, sold, etc., their EID is scanned and a certificate is filled out reflecting where they come from, where they are headed, and when.
If an animal that is part of the Verified Natural (VNB) program and ends up needing treatment that involved antibiotics, the treatment is recorded and that animal’ as well as their unique EID, number is removed from the program. (However, they would still be considered part of the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC), Age and Source verified, and CARE programs.)
We adhere to strict guidelines to ensure none of the cattle in our Vera Earl Premium Beef program are given hormones or antibiotics, ensuring the beef on your family’s plate is exactly what we say it is.
Beef Quality Assurance
Beef Quality Assurance is a program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers of how good husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management conditions. BQA programs have evolved to include best practices around cattle handling, facility management, cattle transportation, good record keeping and protecting herd health, which all result in better outcomes for cattle and producers. - BQA
Vera Earl Ranch carries two Beef Quality Assurance Certifications: Cow-Calf & Transportation
