As consumer expectations for animal care and beef quality continue to rise, the need for well-trained, knowledgeable young producers has become more important than ever. In Christian County, many youth involved in livestock projects lacked formal education in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) practices. Without this foundation, youth risked using improper handling techniques, making medication errors, and failing to understand how their actions impact animal welfare, food safety, and public perception.

To address this need, Christian County Extension, in partnership with 4-H, FFA, and the Christian County Cattlemen’s Association, delivered a hands-on Beef Quality Care and Assurance (BQCA) training for 75 youth livestock exhibitors.

The program was designed to be both educational and practical, providing youth with experience in:

• Low-stress cattle handling
• Proper medication use and withdrawal tracking
• Accurate animal recordkeeping
• Parasitology basics — understanding common internal and external parasites, life cycles, and control strategies
• Ear tagging — correct application, identification protocols, and record alignment

By combining classroom instruction with real-life demonstrations, the program gave youth an in-depth view of responsible beef production.

75 youth participants from Christian County, all of which were active members of 4-H or FFA, in middle and high school

Post-program evaluations and observations showed meaningful learning and positive behavior changes:

• 89% of youth demonstrated increased knowledge of responsible antibiotic use and withdrawal times
• 93% correctly performed or explained proper low-stress handling techniques
• 82% could identify at least three common cattle parasites and describe treatment options
• 100% successfully demonstrated proper ear tagging technique and explained its role in traceability

All 75 youth received their BQCA certification, improving their readiness for show seasons, market access, and future ag-related opportunities.  This allowed all 75 youth to earn an Industry Certification to better prepare them for graduation.

Beyond technical skills, this experience boosted youth confidence, professionalism, and their awareness of how their individual practices connect to the larger beef supply chain. The partnership among Christian County Extension, 4-H, FFA, and the Cattlemen’s Association provided a strong foundation for continued youth development in responsible livestock management.