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Quality Assurance

All Quality Assurance Content

Red angus cattle gathered in a feedlot in winter.

Livestock

South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.

veterinarian using a stethoscope on a horse

Animal Health & Care

The health and well-being of animals matters to all who care for them.

Cover of the PQA Plus Education Handbook, Version 5.0.

Introducing PQA Plus Version 5.0

Continuing the pork industry’s commitment to incorporate the latest scientific knowledge and production methods, PQA Plus Version 5.0 addresses food safety, animal well-being, environmental stewardship, worker safety, public health and community.

Heavy-duty cooler with color-coded slots for vaccines and a compartment for syringe and supplies.

Management Tips for Vaccines and Injectables

A good herd health plan involves both a vaccination program and treatment plan developed with your veterinarian. The ultimate success of a vaccination program depends on how we handle and administer vaccines to our animals.

An dairy farmer and site inspector talking near a fence outside a dairy dairy barn.

Preparing for FARM Animal Care Evaluations

The FARM Animal Care Version 4.0 rolled out January 2020. This article is a condensed tool to aid you in preparing for your next evaluation.

Swine facility interior.

Three Steps To Managing Facility Repairs

Barns and the equipment within them are a major capital investment. It makes sense to invest time in maintenance, repairs and attention to detail to ensure the longevity of structures.

A statue of a dairy cow on a landscaped terrace in front of a long dairy barn.

Being Vigilant of Livestock Property Security and Surveillance

Livestock producers have many daily responsibilities when it comes to caring for and protecting their animals. One responsibility is to remain vigilant regarding individuals that oppose the use of animals for food or other purposes.

A hog farmer and employee conducting training inside a modern swine facility.

Staying on Top of Employee Training

Employees are one of the most valuable assets to a successful farm. Successful farms implement on-boarding of new employees and provide continued training to ensure proficiency and consistency in job duties.

A site assesment form with a pen sitting on top.

Get a Jump on Your PQA Internal Site Assessments

Spring is coming fast, so before planting gets underway take some time to conduct an internal site assessment as part of the PQA Plus Site Assessment criteria.

A series of hog barns.

Preparing for a PQA Plus Site Assessment

The PQA Plus site assessment is an on-farm evaluation of a production site by a qualified PQA Plus Advisor. A review of standard operating procedures and office records, including caretaker training, animal observations, and the facilities will occur during the site assessment.