Introduction to a Meat Goat Quality Assurance Program and HACCP

Roger Merkel – Langston University

Unit Objective

After completion of this module of instruction the producer should be able to evaluate the benefits of a Meat Goat Quality Assurance program as it relates to his/her own meat goat operation and to be able to distinguish between quality control and quality assurance. The producer should be able to apply HACCP Principles and Preferred Production Practices in Heard Health, Nutrition, Feedstuffs, Management and Proper Care, Record Keeping and Biosecurity to his/her own meat goat production program. The producer should be able to score a minimum of 85% on the module test.

Specific Objectives

After completion of this instructional module the producer should be able to:

  1. Identify the agency of the federal government that has responsibility of testing food supply for safety.
  2. Name three contaminants that affect meat safety.
  3. Distinguish between quality control and quality assurance.
  4. Distinguish between the meaning of pre-harvest and post-harvest quality assurance.
  5. State how pre-harvest practices can affect post-harvest quality.
  6. Explain the benefits of a Meat Goat Quality Assurance (MGQA) Program.
  7. State the key to a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.
  8. Name the seven (7) principles of the HACCP System.
  9. State what “Preferred Production Practices” or PPP are based on.
  10. Be able to apply HACCP-like principles in the context of PPP.
  11. State the 5 areas of PPP in MGQA.
  12. Explain the PPP in the area of Herd Health.
  13. Name the acceptable routes of giving injection to goats.
  14. State the acceptable gauge and needle length for giving injections to goats.
  15. Explain the meaning of extra-label drug use and who can authorize it.
  16. Explain what is meant by a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
  17. Explain the PPP in the area of Management and Proper Care.
  18. State proper gathering and handling techniques for goats.
  19. Explain the PPP in the area of Nutrition/Feedstuffs.
  20. List feedstuffs prohibited from being fed to goats.
  21. Explain the PPP in Record keeping.
  22. Distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable methods of identification of goats.
  23. Explain the PPP in the area of Biosecurity.
  24. State the acceptable time frame for prohibiting an individual that has traveled to another country and returned to the United States to visit your meat goat operation.

Module Contents

  • Quality Assurance and Food Safety
  • Pre-Harvest vs. Post-Harvest Quality Assurance
  • Benefits of a Meat Goat Quality Assurance Program
    • MGQA as a production tool
    • MGQA in long-term industry development
    • MGQA as a marketing tool
    • MGQA as an industry safeguard
  • Preferred Production Practices and HACCP
    • HACCP principles
  • Preferred Production Practices of MGQA
    • Preferred Production Practices in Herd Health
      • PPP #1 – Establish and follow a herd health program
      • PPP #2 – Establish a valid VCPR and use off-label drugs within such a relationship
      • PPP #3 – Store and administer drugs according to labeled use or veterinarian authorization and follow withdrawal periods
      • PPP #4 – Use proper injection technique including preferred injection site
      • PPP #5 – Provide training on proper drug use and administration
    • Preferred Production Practices in Nutrition/Feedstuffs
      • PPP #1 – Provide proper nutrition to all animals
      • PPP #2 – Ensure that feed and water are free of contaminants
      • PPP #3 – Comply with FDA regulations on the ban of feeding ruminant-derived protein supplements to other ruminants
      • PPP #4 – Take proper care in use of medications and other feed additives
      • PPP #5 – Record use of chemicals on pasture to prevent harvest and feeding of feed containing chemical residues
    • Preferred Production Practices in Management and Proper Care
      • PPP #1 – Provide proper care to all animals
      • PPP #2 – Use proper gathering and handling techniques
      • PPP #3 – Provide training in proper goat care and handling techniques
      • PPP #4 – Inspect facilities periodically
    • Preferred Production Practices in Record Keeping
      • PPP #1 – Identify each animal
      • PPP #2 – Keep and maintain records on all animals
      • PPP #3 – Periodically review records for completeness and accuracy
    • Preferred Production Practices in Biosecurity
      • PPP #1 – Establish a biosecurity plan for your farm
      • PPP #2 – Minimize between your animals and animals not on your farm
      • PPP #3 – Establish a quarantine protocol for animals entering your herd
      • PPP #4 – Establish a protocol for visitors to your farm
      • PPP #5 – Don’t allow persons who have had contact with livestock in foreign countries on your farm for 5 days after their arrival in the U.S.
  • Long-Term Benefits to the Meat Goat Industry
  • References

    • PDF and Pod Versions

    You may download this module in both PDF and Audio versions.

    PDF version
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