Quality Assurance

Drug Use Notification Forms – due at NOON, Friday, October 3rd for Market Beef/BEEF FEEDERS/DAIRY MARKET STEERS/Dairy Beef Feeders/Lactating Dairy Cows & Dairy Goats/Market Hogs/Market Goats/Market Lambs

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Animals must be drug free by weigh-in day of fair. Each member must complete a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF) (http://go.osu.edu/fairfielddunf) form online for each animal they plan to exhibit prior to weigh-in at the fair. If the forms are not correctly completed, exhibitors will not be permitted to show. The link to the form will open on Monday, September 29th (as forms should not be completed more than 5 days before fair weigh-in).

  • Animals requiring a DUNF indicating the animal is free from any/all drugs in its system on fair weigh-in/move-in day are:
    • Market Beef
    • Beef Feeder
    • Dairy Market Steer
    • Dairy Beef Feeder
    • Dairy Cow (lactating)
    • MQP Hog
    • Market Barrow
    • Market Gilt
    • Market Goat
    • MQP Goat
    • Dairy Goat (lactating)
    • Market Chickens (1 form per pen of 3 chickens)
    • Market Turkey
    • Market Duck
    • MQP Lamb
    • Market Lamb
    • Market Rabbit (1 form per pen of 2 rabbits)
  • Forms should be completed no sooner than 5 days prior to animal weigh-in to be sure that their animal is drug free during fair.
  • Forms submitted prior to that timeframe will be deleted and exhibitors will be asked to resubmit the DUNF form closer to their animal’s weigh-in. All animals being brought to the fair requiring DUNF forms will need to submit their forms by 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 3rd, 2025.
  • The only EXCEPTION to the Friday deadline will be Market Poultry and Market Rabbits who will complete DUNF Forms AFTER they receive tags/leg bands so they have identification information to enter into the DUNF Form. One form per pen of animals should be completed for Poultry and Rabbits. Deadline for poultry and rabbit exhibitors is MIDNIGHT on Saturday, October 4th.
  • Animals tagged with an EID 840 (15 digit tag) should include the last 6 digits in the identification field of the form.
  • Scrapie Tag numbers DO NOT need to be entered for market goats and market sheep – please use the last 6 digits of your EID 840 tag.
  • There should be ONE form submitted for each animal. Exception: Each pen of rabbits and each pen of market chickens will need a form per pen.
  • Turkeys exhibitors will put N/A in the identification field.
  • Market Chicken exhibitors will put all 3 leg band numbers in the same identification field for their pen of chickens.
  • Market Rabbit exhibitors will put both tag numbers for their pair of rabbits in the identification field for their pen of rabbits.

Drug Use Notification Forms – Market Poultry and Market Rabbit Exhibitors (due at midnight on weigh-in day)

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Animals must be drug free by weigh-in day of fair. Each member must complete a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF) (http://go.osu.edu/fairfielddunf) form online for each animal they plan to exhibit prior to weigh-in at the fair. If the forms are not correctly completed, exhibitors will not be permitted to show.

Market Turkeys/Ducks/Chickens and Market Rabbits must complete a Drug Use Notification Form. One form per pen of chickens and one form for each pen of rabbits. 

Due to market poultry and market rabbits not having identification until weigh-in day, you will be able to submit your DUNF form AFTER weigh-in. It must be completed by MIDNIGHT on Saturday, October 4th.

Livestock Exhibitors: Quality Assurance MUST be completed by June 30th to show at fair, no exceptions!

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Quality Assurance is an annual requirement of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for youth taking livestock projects to county and state fair. In Fairfield County, Quality Assurance Training is required for all members who will be exhibiting a livestock project at the Fairfield County Fair or Junior Exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair. Beef (Breeding & Market); Dairy Breeding, Dairy Steers, & Dairy Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.

Deadlines for 2025:

  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2025 (or 45 days prior to exhibition).
  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 30, 2025.

Email reminders will be sent to advisors this last month for those who have yet to complete this requirement.

All Quality Assurance information has been shared with club/chapter advisors and has been posted on the blog since April 24th. Read all Quality Assurance options for 2025 here.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Poultry Update from the Ohio Dept. of Ag

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to occur in the United States as we enter the fourth year of this outbreak. Ohio’s poultry industry was significantly impacted over last several months in the western area of the state, particularly in Darke and Mercer counties. The ODA website is kept up to date with information on these detections, information on how to submit samples to the lab, ODA and USDA’s response during this outbreak, and biosecurity resources. On the web page, there is both a map of current active control areas (under the “Take Action on HPAI” tab) and a list of all detections that have occurred in Ohio (under the “Tracking HPAI Across Ohio” tab).

After a case is detected, ODA and USDA staff work closely with OPA and poultry producers on the response which includes depopulation, disposal, biosecurity audits, and environmental sampling of the premises.

Ohio producers are encouraged to be alert and practice enhanced biosecurity. The Defend the Flock Program with USDA has great information on biosecurity for backyard producers.

If you suspect HPAI in your backyard flock, please call the Division of Animal Health at 614-728-6220.

If you have questions about sick wild birds, please call the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) at 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Quality Assurance should be completed for Ohio State Fair exhibitors by June 1st

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Fairfield County 4-H and FFA youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2025 to meet the 45 days prior to the Ohio State Fair exhibition (as required by the Ohio Department of Agriculture). Youth who do not meet this requirement, will have any entries denied.

If youth still need to complete Quality Assurance to meet this requirement and your club/chapter is not planning to host their own QA Clinic by June 1st, we recommend you complete QA through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals online modules or attend the countywide makeup QA Trainings on May 1st or May 20th.

  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Thursday, May 1st from 6:30-8:30 p.m. or Tuesday, May 20th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fairfield County Ag Center/Extension Office (831 College Ave. Lancaster). An RSVP is required. Please click here to register for a countywide QA makeup clinic.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2025, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/ for the training and quiz.
    • Instructions for using the new website can be found at: 2022 YQCA Website Instructions
    • Exhibitors must complete by June 30, 2025 or they will not be able to show at the Fairfield County Fair.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually). The age of the course should be age as of January 1st of the current year.
    • When you are finished, please send name(s) and certificate number(s) to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Attention Livestock Exhibitors: Quality Assurance Requirements

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Quality Assurance is an annual requirement of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for youth taking livestock projects to county and state fair. In Fairfield County, Quality Assurance Training is required for all members who will be exhibiting a livestock project at the Fairfield County Fair or Junior Exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair. Beef (Breeding & Market); Dairy Breeding, Dairy Steers, & Dairy Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.

Deadlines for 2025:

  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2025.
  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 30th, 2025.

At this time, Quality Assurance CANNOT be taught by club/chapter advisors to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA youth virtually (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Google Classrooms, Facebook Live, etc.).

Here are the acceptable options to complete Quality Assurance in 2025:

  • In-Person 4-H Club/FFA Chapter Clinic taught by a 4-H/FFA Advisor who has completed the Quality Assurance Assistant Instructor Training this year. Advisors who attended this training will notify their members of their club/chapter QA Clinic date and will be responsible for getting all QA paperwork submitted to the Extension Office by the appropriate deadlines.
  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Thursday, May 1st from 6:30-8:30 p.m. or Tuesday, May 20th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fairfield County Ag Center/Extension Office (831 College Ave. Lancaster). An RSVP is required. Please click here to register for a countywide QA makeup clinic.
  • In-Person Beef Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person BQA taught by a certified BQA instructor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.
  • In-Person Pork Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person PQA taught by a certified PQA advisor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu. Youth MUST be age 14 or older (current age) to complete in-person PQA. Youth will receive a PQA certification number from the National Pork Board upon completion.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2025, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/ for the training and quiz.
    • Instructions for using the new website can be found at: 2022 YQCA Website Instructions
    • Exhibitors must complete by June 30, 2025 or they will not be able to show at the Fairfield County Fair.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually). The age of the course should be age as of January 1st of the current year.
    • When you are finished, please send a pdf/picture of your certificate which includes exhibitor name(s) and certificate number(s) to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Learn Tips To Safeguard Your Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm: Defend the Flock Webinar on 4/17/2025

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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is in all 50 states. With wild birds migrating this spring, your flock – and susceptible livestock – are at increased risk for HPAI.

Boost your biosecurity know-how now to protect all your animals. Download the Spring 2025 edition of our newsletter to get answers to questions like:

  • Why are poultry and susceptible livestock at increased risk this spring?
  • Why is biosecurity so important for your farm or backyard?
  • What can you do to protect your livestock?

Join fellow flu fighters on 4/17 at 2:30 p.m. EDT to hear APHIS Poultry HPAI Incident Lead Dr. Melissa Yates present “From Backyard to Barnyard: Biosecurity for Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm.” Register NOW at this link.

Download the PDF here >>>

Youth Opportunity: Multi-Species Clinic in Holmes County April 12th

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Below is a flyer for an upcoming Multi-Species Clinic and Quality Assurance (QA) event in Holmes County. Please feel free to share this with others who may be interested. Below are some key activities happening at the event.

  • 2025 Multi-Species Clinic & QA
    • Saturday, April 12, Harvest Ridge (Holmes County Fairgrounds – Millersburg, Ohio)
    • FREE event for your youth to learn from top clinicians
    • QA will be offered that morning. Registration is REQUIRED for QA and county 4-H Educators will receive a list of attendees from their county for credit.
    • Register HERE: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScrK0aZ…/viewform

Thanks!

Rising HPAI Cases in Ohio: A Critical Reminder of Biosecurity Measures

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As cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continue to rise in Ohio, the poultry industry faces increasing challenges in protecting flocks from this highly contagious and deadly virus. In recent weeks/days, several commercial poultry farms have reported confirmed HPAI detections, underscoring the urgent need for heightened vigilance across the state.

HPAI poses a serious threat to both poultry health and the economy, with the potential to cause devastating losses in infected flocks. The virus spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated materials, such as feed, equipment, and even personnel.

Biosecurity Remains Key to Protection

The importance of robust biosecurity protocols cannot be overstated. These measures, designed to prevent the introduction and spread of disease, are the first line of defense in safeguarding poultry populations. Poultry owners must be proactive in enforcing strict biosecurity practices on their farms, including:

  1. Access Control: Restricting visitors to your poultry areas and limiting contact with other animals and birds.
  2. Personal Hygiene: Ensuring clean clothing and disinfect footwear before entering poultry access areas.
  3. Environmental Sanitation: Regular cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, vehicles, and poultry housing, particularly after contact with potentially contaminated animals or materials.
  4. Wild Bird Control: Preventing wild birds from entering poultry facilities or coming into contact with your flock.
  5. Surveillance and Monitoring: Regular health checks and early detection of symptoms can prevent outbreaks from spreading further.

As Ohio’s poultry industry continues to battle the spread of HPAI, it is crucial that all poultry producers, large and small, review their efforts in maintaining these essential biosecurity measures. The risks associated with HPAI are significant, but through vigilance, preparedness, and collaboration, we can work to protect Ohio’s poultry industry and mitigate the broader impact of this disease.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and prioritize biosecurity on your farm. Every step taken today can help prevent the spread of HPAI tomorrow.

For helpful Biosecurity resources, please visit these websites:

Source: Ohio Poultry Association January Newsletter

Poultry Producers – Catch the Backyard Flock Biosecurity Webinar Recording

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Thank you to those able to attend OPA’s webinar on Backyard Flock Biosecurity. OPA partnered with Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio state University Extension to go over an HPAI update, signs and symptoms of AI and biosecurity tips for your flock. If you missed the webinar, you may watch the recording at the link below.

Recording Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/FSbbJWROqvLE845lyQYCVa-2bpIVbfpxi8xWn_g77oceOn2k5-7DGZtdoFUNCmrm.PNKcUUWIpdmvA9Ua

Passcode: V!8BYZ=H

Source: Ohio Poultry Association January Newsletter