The Youth Livestock Literacy (YLL) program was started in 2022 to expand the educational scope of youth livestock related opportunities beyond quality assurance. However, quality assurance is a crucial and required component of all approved YLL programs. Nearly all youth livestock programs across the country require youth to complete quality assurance training to be able to exhibit their animals.
Why is it required?
One of the most important things for anyone, youth or adult, raising livestock to understand is that they are producing food for consumers and it is their responsibility and obligation to produce safe and wholesome food. The livestock industry depends on consumers’ trust in the safety of their food supply. Food safety is a founding principle of all quality assurance programs, including various youth programs, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), Pork Quality Assurance (PQA), Sheep Safety and Quality Assurance (SSQA), Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance (DACQA), and others.
Procedure
The following is a checklist for South Dakota 4-H livestock exhibitors:
- Enroll youth and projects in 4HOnline. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. CDT June 1.
- Identify animals with the approved methods and submit DNA samples.
- Complete at least one Youth Livestock Literacy (YLL) certified event. Deadline is July 1.
- If attending the event in your own 4-H county, sign in at registration and your county's 4-H office will record your certification.
- If attending a YLL event out-of-county, confirm that your home 4-H county's office has been notified.
- If using YQCA Online as your YLL event, you must present the completion certificate with youth's name to your home 4-H county Extension Office.
- Complete the Livestock Integrity Pledge. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. CDT August 1.
- This will be part of FairEntry registration for State Fair livestock/animal exhibits. Counties may use FairEntry or paper versions of the Livestock Integrity pledge and will have a deadline based on their county fair/achievement days.
