Better Pork - August 2016

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4 Better pork August 2016
BEYOND THE BARN
Social (Ag)Media
A 2015 Farm Credit Canada Mar-
ket 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 conve-
nient source of news. It allows produc-
ers to discuss current industry condi-
tions. Social media also allows farmers
to connect with consumers.
Given the importance of online
communications to the farming com-
munity, Better Pork magazine introduces
a regular roundup of interesting ac-
counts and an exploration of viral ag
discussions.
This month we focus on the Twitter
accounts of pork industry organiza-
tions and research groups. This list
does not indicate endorsement.
@OntarioPork
Ontario Pork provides updates on
research and activities in support of its
members.
@FarmsSwine
A member of the group
of companies, Pork News
tweets on industry conferences, events
and news.
@cdnpork
The Canadian Pork Council
discusses political/trade news of
interest to Canadian producers.
@UGSwineResearch
The University of Guelph tweets
about its swine-related events and
research.
@NPPC
Interested in hearing about what’s
happening in the U.S.? One option
is the National Pork Producers
Council.
Share a Twitter account you love with
us @BetterFarmingON or letters@bet-
. We always appreciate
your thoughts! BP
new tech to ensure manure pit
safety
Scientists from Penn State’s College of
Agricultural Sciences have developed a
tool for use in confined-space manure stor-
age pit design. The tool will help to ensure
the safety of farmers and technicians, who
periodically enter storage pits for mainte-
nance and repair.
Users input data on storage pit dimen-
sions and features. They can then learn the
amount of time needed for proper ventila-
tion of toxic gases, such as hydrogen sulfide
and carbon dioxide.
According to Dan Hofstetter, a
research assistant involved in the tool’s
development, the website is user-friendly
enough that non-specialists, such as emer-
gency workers, can turn to the tool to access
safety information for rescue attempts. The
university’s press release, however, suggests
the tool will be used primarily by planners
to ensure safe designs.
The university announced the tool’s
creation in May, after a decade of research
and work.
In Ontario, an average of 25 farm deaths
occurred per year between 2000 and 2008,
according to the Agricultural Fatalities
and Hospitalizations in Ontario 1990-
2008 report. A total of five fatalities in this
period were directly connected to gases in
manure pits. BP
Bacon critic wanted
For bacon addicts, the
perfect job may have been
created south of the border.
On June 1, Extra
Crispy, a website devoted
to breakfast, posted an
advertisement for a bacon
critic.
“Do you like eating
strips of cured pork belly,
a.k.a. bacon?” began the
website posting. “Do you
have strong feelings about
what makes good bacon
and bad bacon? Is ‘bad
bacon’ even a thing?”
The bacon critic, of
course, needed more
qualifications than a simple
passion for this cut of pork.
The successful candidate
also had to be opinionated
and have the ability to
write for inquisitive read-
ers.
The website gave
potential applicants more
than three weeks to write
a short essay “recounting
your favorite bacon-related
memory.”
The freelance gig runs
for three months.
Unfortunately, Extra
Crispy only allowed Ameri-
cans to apply. Too bad –
we are sure there are many
experts on bacon right here
in Ontario.
Extra Crispy is part of
media company Time
Inc. BP
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