Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus) is an education and certification program designed to help pig farmers and their employees continually improve production practices. It addresses food safety, animal well-being, environmental stewardship, worker safety, public health and community.

There are two components to PQA Plus. First, individuals can become certified through an education program. Second, farms can receive PQA Plus site status through an on-farm site assessment with a PQA Plus Advisor.

PQA Plus certification can be completed through an online course or in-person training. To get started with a new or renewal certification, first locate a certified advisor to request access to the online program or arrange an in-person training.

In person certification meetings on request with a minimum of 10 people. Please contact Ryan Samuel, SDSU Assistant Professor and Extension Swine Specialist. Contact him at 605-688-5431 or Ryan.Samuel@sdstate.edu

Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) is a certification program that trains pig transporters, producers and handlers how to handle, move and transport pigs. It includes training on the potential impacts transporting can have on pig well-being and pork quality.

Research has shown that using good animal handling practices benefits the pig, the handler and the industry. TQA certification demonstrates that a handler is committed to promoting and protecting pig well-being. Incidents of poor animal handling or abuse are considered to be ethically wrong and unacceptable.

Get Certified

There are two types of certifications available through the TQA program. Get started by contacting a certified advisor for online or in-person training.

TQA Handler certification: authorizes individuals to move, handle and transport pigs.
TQA Advisor certification: allows individuals who have been trained by the Pork Checkoff to offer TQA certification training and administer exams to handlers.

The Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) curriculum enhances the educational experience for youth who show or produce livestock. It is a national, multi-species, science-based program for ages 8 to 21.

YQCA was developed through a collaboration of livestock industry professionals and educators. It is an expansion of the National Pork Board’s former Youth PQA Plus program, which offered training for swine only. The goal of the revised program is to continually improve the care of animals and provide a higher level of food safety to consumers.

Get Certified

YQCA certification can be earned in three ways — online training, instructor-led training, or test out. It focuses on three core pillars — food safety, animal well-being and character development — for the following animals: