By Andi Anderson
The Calf Care Quality Assurance (CCQA) program is raising standards for calf care across the beef and dairy industries.
Presented in a recent 2025 Spring Heifer Academy webinar, this science-based initiative was explained by Emma Mulvaney, Director of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), and Cindy Valdez Nolasco, Associate Director of Producer Education at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
CCQA is designed to ensure consistency, confidence, and care in calf-raising practices by offering free training and certification. It also strengthens public trust, with market research showing that animal welfare is consumers’ top concern regarding meat and dairy.
Launched in 2019, CCQA fills an important gap between Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and the FARM Program by focusing specifically on calves and young heifers—an age group not fully addressed by existing guidelines. Its development involved collaboration from BQA, FARM, the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, and others.
Training and Certification
Anyone working with calves—including feeders, veterinarians, managers, or farm workers—can earn a CCQA certification. Training is available online or in person, with a 20-question exam. Certification lasts three years and includes detailed resources in English and Spanish.
Key training modules focus on:
- Calf health: vaccination, biosecurity, and proper medication use
- Management and care: nutrition, hygiene, and injury prevention
- Animal handling: low-stress techniques based on natural behavior
- Emergency preparedness and staff training: so every worker feels confident and prepared
Those wanting to train others can take part in the CCQA instructor program, ideal for vets, educators, or farm consultants.
Why It Matters
All materials are free, funded by the Beef Checkoff. CCQA has been adopted by many large operations for onboarding new staff, boosting employee engagement and consistency in care.
“This program supports farms and workers by providing trusted, easy-to-use protocols,” said Mulvaney. “It’s not just a checklist—it’s a mindset.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Michigan, General