The following message is from Bernadette (Bernie) O’Rourke, Extension Livestock Specialist:

“Find below the 2023 program offerings from the Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program.  Find attached social media graphics for your use.  A post will go out on social media through the social media channels in my email signature.  Feel free to like, follow and share posts.  Please share this information to any and all interested youth and adults in the beef, sheep, swine and meat goat areas. 

Programming includes 3 virtual animal sciences sessions.  First one is January 9^th.  We will be offering tours of the new Meat Science Building on 3 designated dates only.  We will host a carcass judges training for those that want to judge carcass shows.  4-H Meats Judging and 4-H State Quiz Bowl and Skillathon are scheduled as well.  Please click on the links for more information on program offerings and how to sign up.  Contact Bernie O’Rourke at borourke2@wisc.edu  with any questions. 

These make great educational programming opportunities for all youth and those that exhibit at fairs.

Have a great holiday season and stay safe and warm these next few days!”

January 9^th – Virtual Animal Sciences Programming – How to get involved in Judging & Knowledge Teams, 7 p.m.

Speakers:  Bernie O’Rourke and panelists:  Scott Howard, Stephanie Witberler and Liz Gartman

https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/animal-sciences-virtual-education-series/

January 28^th – Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building (MSABD) Tour

https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/uw-madison-meat-science-building-tours/

Feb 4^th – 4-H Meats Judging Contest (partnership with WI 4-H youth development)

https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/statewide-events-and-opportunities/meats-judging-contest/

Feb 5^th – Carcass Judges Training, 1 p.m. https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/carcass-judges-training/

Feb 6^th – Virtual Animal Sciences Programming – Beef Evaluation and Cookery, 7 p.m.

https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/animal-sciences-virtual-education-series/

Feb 25 – Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building (MSABD) Tour

https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/uw-madison-meat-science-building-tours/

March 6 – Virtual Animal Sciences Programming – Reproduction Technologies in Animal Sciences, 7 p.m.

https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/animal-sciences-virtual-education-series/

March 25 – 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon (partnership with WI 4-H youth development)

https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/statewide-events-and-opportunities/livestock-quiz-bowl-skillathon-contest/

April 29 – Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building (MSABD) Tour

https://youthanimalsciences.wisc.edu/programs/uw-madison-meat-science-building-tours/

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals is the quality assurance program that we do here in Wisconsin.  To find out more about this program please go to  www.yqca.org.  This is the 5th year of YQCA here in Wisconsin.  This program is required for youth to exhibit at shows and some marketing opportunities are only available with a YQCA certificate.    

There are 3 options this year for kids to get certified.  1.  Instructor Led; 2.  Web based 3.  Test out – Online 

Allowed YQCA instructors are:  1.  Extension personnel, 2.  Agri-Science instructors and 3. Veterinarians. 

Friendly reminder, face to face instructor led meetings CAN NOT be held via Zoom or any online webinar format per a decision of the YQCA national board. 

Below are some fact sheets on YQCA here in Wisconsin. If you have any questions on YQCA or would like to have a Wisconsin type webinar, please reach out to me at borourke@wisc.edu.

GettingYourYQCAOnlineCertification[3][1][1]