Livestock Project

The Livestock Project for Trempealeau County includes beef, swine, and sheep.  The project is led by the Livestock committee who meets on a monthly basis to plan educational events, organize the project, and help youth develop through the project.

Contact Information:

The Livestock Project leader to contact with questions is Nate Ausen as he is the President of the Livestock Committee.  He can be reached via email at nausen@allied.coop.

You can also contact the Livestock Committee Secretary, Barb Guse, at trempcac@outlook.com.

The ‘Trempealeau County Youth Livestock Exhibitors’ also have a Facebook page where they post information to keep project members up-to-date.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA):

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a set of web-based modules being required for youth that show beef, sheep, meat goats, and swine projects at the Trempealeau County Fair. It is also required to show Dairy at the State Fair.  Please look in the fairbook to see exact requirements. (Please note that MAQA is now called YQCA).  This program will allow youth to learn about other species of animals; not just the species they show. This program allows for the consistency of information being taught to youth in all states and in all species of animals.

YQCA content and modules are age-appropriate and different each year (age as of January 1): Junior (8-11), Intermediate (12-14), Senior (15-18), and Young Adult (19-21). Each year, youth complete one new module in each the following categories:

  • Animal Welfare (basic needs, proper animal handling, biosecurity, etc.),
  • Food Safety (medications, medicated feeds, withdrawal times, avoiding residue, etc.)
  • Character Education (ethics, goal setting, career exploration, etc.)

YQCA gives families flexibility in gaining this required certification, which is more convenient to accommodate busy seasonal schedules since it is online. It’s estimated that youth will spend roughly 60 minutes completing modules each year.

Youth must complete the YQCA module for their age by July 1 to be eligible to show at the Trempealeau County Fair if it is a requirement of your project. (Refer to the Trempealeau County Fair Book to see if it is required). To complete the YQCA module or to get more information, go to https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/youthlivestock/yqca/. Cost for YQCA is $12 each year. Requests for an appointment for use of a computer/internet and scholarships are available by confidential request to the 4-H Program Coordinator.

Here are the steps to complete the YQCA online module:

  1. Click on “YQCA Youth Log In” link at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/youthlivestock/yqca/.  Create a login and follow the login process through purchasing a “web-based course” ($12/youth).  If financial support is needed please the 4-H Program Coordinator.
  2. Youth must complete the appropriate course for their age (follow on-screen prompts).  The youth must pass the quiz at the end.  Please note that youth are allowed to go back in the module to correct responses in the quize and be successful.
  3. Youth must save completion certificate and submit to the Trempealeau County Extension Office.

It is important to note that youth certification is NOT complete until the certificate has been submitted and recieved. It is the individual youth’s responsibility to confirm receipt.

For technical support with YQCA email help@yqca.org.

Educational Requirements:

Livestock projects also require additional educational requirements so youth can show their animals at the Trempealeau County Fair.  The deadline for these requirements is set by the committee and the Fair Board.  Generally these additional educational requirements can be completed through attending workshops.  You do need to fill out the ‘Educatioanl Events Form’ found on the Forms and Applications page and turn it into the Trempealeau County Extension Office by July 1st.

Information For Resources:

Below you will find a lot of links to resources for information regarding the different livestock project areas.  Feel free to check them out for more information about your project area and to increase your education!  Also, you will note that some of the projects have individual points of contacts listed.

Beef Project

Sheep Project

Swine Project