Livestock YQCA Training

Livestock Exhibitor - YQCA Training Requirements

 

*NEW* YQCA Platform Information

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2023 Requirements

The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) is requiring all youth livestock participants (excluding horses, cavies, & dogs) 9 years of age and older to obtain annual certification in the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) program. Those not certified will not be able to participate at a California Fair. To comply the Merced County Fair is requiring all exhibitors who fall under this rule to complete the training by the Thursday, May 4, 2023 (entry deadline). If you do not complete the training by 11:59 PM on May 4th your entry will be considered ineligible and you will be disqualified from exhibiting at the fair.

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Training can be completed in two ways:

1. Going to YQCAProgram.org and completing the online course.

2. Attending and completing an in-person instructor lead course by a YQCA approved instructor.

 

Your certification completion code will be needed in order to complete your online entries. During the online entry process, you will be asked and must submit your completion code. Please plan to take the course BEFORE you complete your entries.

 

The Merced County Fair requires the YQCA certification to be completed.

IMPORTANT: Complete the YQCA course BEFORE you begin your online entry for your animal project(s).

 

​Online vs. Instructor Led YQCA Training 

For both online and instructor-led training, you are required to register in advance on the YQCA website, www.yqcaprogram.org. Online training costs $12 per exhibitor and may be completed at any time prior to entry deadline. 

 

The only species exempt from this training are horse, dog and guinea pig. 

 

​Don't wait! Complete your courses as soon as possible!