The SSQA Program: South Dakota Shepherd Survey

 

By Heidi Carroll

 

The Sheep Safety & Quality Assurance (SSQA) program is a national program created and managed by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). The SSQA program focuses on assuring consumers that all products coming from sheep are of the highest, safest quality, whether it be meat, milk, or wool/fiber; and assures that the animals were raised using current industry supported husbandry practices. The mission of the SSQA program is to maximize consumer confidence in, and acceptance of sheep products by using research and education to improve on-farm management practices during the production of safe and high-quality sheep products.

 

This mission strives for continuous improvement through all industry personnel, including those responsible for the welfare of sheep on the farm, during milk and wool harvesting, and those involved in meat harvesting (transporters to processing plant workers). The SSQA program supports all ages and experience levels of shepherds, from 4-H/FFA projects and small acreages on up to veteran commercial producers. We all should work together as members of the sheep industry and hold each other accountable to use proper care practices and document these practices accordingly as we produce high quality products for our valued customers.

 

You are invited to participate in a survey to gain an understanding of the current level of awareness and participation in the Sheep Safety & Quality Assurance program. This survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. It is important for us to learn your opinions to help develop future SDSU Extension programming in the areas of sheep well-being, quality assurance, and consumer perceptions. The survey will be available online until February 29, 2016.