One of the issues folks in the pork industry know they have is that too many in the public don’t understand what they do. And if they don’t understand, they’re liable not to support hog farmers’ efforts. While an event like World Pork Expo here in Des Moines is important to educate producers and industry folks, there’s also great value in educating people who might never make it to an event like this. That’s why our friends at Boehringer Ingelheim sponsored a seminar this afternoon, entitled, “Creating a Positive Public Image of Today’s Pork Industry.”
Malcolm DeKryger, Vice President for DeMotte, IN-based, Belstra Milling, talked to the group gathered about his company’s efforts, showing and not just telling people how they operate.
“We have put one of our [hog] farms through a remodel process that put in windows so that people can go to almost any barn on the farm and look inside to see what’s going on.”
DeKryger says when groups come out to his Iroquois Valley Swine Breeders operation, they have what he calls the “Oh, WOW!” moment, when they see for themselves how well cared the pigs really are. In addition, they’ve installed two live webcams at www.RealPigFarm.com, where anyone can watch 24 hours a day what goes on. He says his folks are proud of how they handle the animals and want to share what they do day-to-day.
In addition, DeKryger meets with key lawmakers to make his point that animal feeding operations are necessary to feed the large populations, especially in cities such as Chicago. He says they’re winning hearts and minds, one at a time.
“Between a tour like that, where we make contact person-to-person and with the [donations to the local food banks], I really do believe there’s an affirmation as I visit with key decision makers.”
DeKryger says they take all the proper biosecurity measures and make sure that no one from outside the farm (besides the vet) makes contacts with the pigs. He believes that more companies could and should make efforts like this for the overall good of the pork industry.
“We need to have a unified voice to let people know that this is good stuff that happens out on these farms.”
Check out our World Pork Expo 2010 Photo Album.
AgWired coverage of the World Pork Expo 2010 is sponsored by:
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