Better Farming - August 2016

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10 Farm News First > Better Farming August 2016
A 2015 Farm Credit Canada Market Insights report
indicates Canadian producers are active users of social
media. Facebook is the most popular network (62 per
cent) and 27 per cent of farmers use Twitter. Over 40 per
cent of respondents use both networks daily.
Social media is a quick and convenient source of
news. It allows producers to discuss current industry
conditions. Social media also allows farmers and ag
representatives to connect with consumers, as seen in
farmer and agricultural advocate Andrew Campbell’s
#farm365 initiative. (He tweeted a daily photo from his
farm to help educate the public about ag.)
Given the importance of online communications to
the farming community, we at Better Farming magazine are
introducing a new monthly feature to provide a roundup
of interesting social media accounts and to explore viral
ag discussions.
This month’s installment focuses on central accounts
for ag news and industry updates. This list does not
indicate endorsement.
For years they’ve borne the unflattering moniker of
“hay burner,” because of their lack of usefulness on the
farm. Could horses be major nutrient polluters too?
A long-running initiative by 13 universities in the
U.S. that began in 2009 seeks to establish best manage-
ment practices to reduce horse farms’ impact on the
environment.
“Each horse produces approximately 50 pounds of
manure per day, for a total of over 3.9 million tons of
manure in the region (the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
states) each year,” a summary of the initiative states.
One of the biggest challenges has been what to do
with the manure after it’s produced. In one study, only
54 per cent of respondents
actually spread manure.
In Ontario, large horse
operations fall under the
Nutrient Management Act,
says Susan Raymond,
communications and
programs officer at Equine
Guelph . The organization is
an industry information hub
at the University of Guelph.
However, smaller farms
sometimes don’t fall under
those regulations.
Equine Guelph does offer
an annual online environ-
mental course for horse
owners. BF
Social (Ag)Media
From ‘hay burner’ to ‘nutrient polluter’ Ask an average consumer what is
meant by words such as “organic” and
“safe food” and expect to hear some
complaining.
“I just think question mark because
I don’t know what you mean,” said one
of a seven-member consumer panel
during a session at this year’s U.S.
Animal Agriculture Alliance
Stakeholder Summit.
The seven shoppers had no idea
until the end of the hour-long session
that their audience of some 200 people
comprised farmers and representatives of agribusiness.
During the focus panel, appropriately titled, “What do
consumers really want?” the shoppers listed factors such as
price, convenience, freshness and quality as motivating
their food choices. They responded to queries such as
what they look for when buying eggs, milk and meat, their
favourite place to buy food, and how they obtain trusted
information about food. They also played word associa-
tion games. But a common theme soon emerged in the
session, which can be viewed on YouTube. Panelists
repeatedly challenged what was meant by the words they
were asked to respond to. People today are suspicious
about claims being made about the food they eat, many
said. “We’re skeptics,” declared one panelist, an English
teacher. Asked what ways industry could reach out to
consumers to share its stories, panelists noted they would
listen to trusted third-party sources and advised visiting
classrooms and connecting on Facebook. “Make it inter-
esting,” said one panelist. “I’ll read it.” BF
Explain what you mean
@BetterFarmingON (Better Farming news)
Follow us on Twitter for the latest news impacting Ontario
producers.
@OntarioFarms (Ontario Federation of Agriculture)
The OFA Twitter account provides frequent updates on
the organization’s activities and advocacy work.
@OntAg Ontario Ag)
This account, operated by another member of the Farms.
com group of companies, is also a great source of timely
ag industry news.
@CFAFCA (Canadian Federation of Agriculture )
The CFA Twitter account keeps followers up-to-date on
initiatives and activities within the national farm community.
@FarmBureau (American Farm Bureau )
If you’re looking for a quick overview of key ag issues and
developments south of the border, the Farm Bureau might
be a good account to follow.
What are your go-to accounts? Tweet us
@BetterFarmingON or email us at
. BF
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