State Program Contact
Lindsay Chichester
Extension Educator
lchichester2@unl.edu
(402) 245-4324
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Richardson County
1700 Stone Street, Courthouse
Falls City, NE 68355
 

Quality Assurance Program

The 4-H Quality Assurance (QA) Program teaches youth about the quality of meat and food products that come from livestock.  Quality assurance for livestock producers means making a promise to the consumers, or the people who consume the meat, milk and dairy products, and eggs that come from livestock poultry. The promise made is that products from livestock will be the highest possible quality and producers will do everything possible to make these products safe to eat.

quality assurance online courseLivestock Quality Assurance Online Course

The Livestock Quality Assurance Online Course has been developed to assist Nebraska 4-H youth with learning about major areas of proper animal care, including:

  • daily care and management
  • prevention
  • handling
  • carcass quality
  • medication

To enroll in the self-directed online course, Internet access and an email address (each 4-H youth will need their own unique email address to register) is required. 

Requirements for Nebraska 4-H Youth

All Nebraska 4-H youth ages 8-18, who are enrolled in a livestock project (beef, dairy cattle, dairy goat, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, and swine), will be required to complete three modules in the Livestock Quality Assurance Online Course by June 15 of the current year in order to complete that year’s QA requirements.  The online course has been divided into three age levels:

  • Junior (4-H youth ages 8-10)
  • Intermediate (4-H youth ages 11-14)*
  • Senior (4-H youth ages 15-18)*

* Intermediate and Senior level youth are eligible to take a written test to fulfill age level requirements. Arrangements to complete the written test can be made through your local UNL Extension Office.

Upon completion of each module, you will be able to print a certificate of completion. You will need to deliver this certificate of completion to your local UNL Extension Office on or before June 15 of the current year to receive full credit for completion.

Quality Assurance Written and Practice Tests

Written Tests
Intermediate and Senior Level youth are eligible to take a written test to fulfill Quality Assurance age level requirements. Arrangements to complete the written test can be made through your local UNL Extension Office.  The written test must be taken at a UNL Extension Office. 

If you are taking a Senior Level Test, you may take a large or small animal test. Passing is 70 percent. The Intermediate Level Test has 25 multiple choice questions, while the Senior Level test has 30 multiple choice questions. 

Practice Tests
Practice Tests are available on the Livestock Quality Assurance Online Course. After completing the Practice Tests, the Written Test may be taken through your local UNL Extension Office.

Study Materials
The study materials for the Intermediate Level Tests are the information available through the Livestock Quality Assurance Online Course.

The study materials for the Senior Level Tests are the Livestock Quality Assurance Online Course, the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Manual, and the Youth Pork Quality Assurance Manual.
 


Online Course Information

Manuals and Resources