New Pork Checkoff Videos Shine Spotlight on Real Pork Producers
The Pork Checkoff's new YouTube channel shows farmers using technology to protect pigs and the environment.
March 25, 2013
Pork producers are taking visitors on a virtual tour to show how farmers are using technology to protect their pigs and the environment, thanks to new videos on the Pork Checkoff’s new YouTube channel.
“We know the pork industry’s messages resonate when they are delivered by farmers,” says Teresa Roof, public relations manager for the Pork Checkoff. “Farmers have many positive stories to share, and YouTube videos offer a powerful way to share these stories.”
The new two- to three-minutes videos at the Pork Checkoff’s YouTube channel include:
“Meet a Family Farmer,” featuring Scott Phillips, owner of Phillips Family Farms in Missouri. Phillips decided to return to the family farm after serving in the U.S. Air Force. He and his employees share a passion for farming. “We love raising pigs,” Phillips says. He is involved in many community activities and hosts farm tours. “Our goal is to raise hogs that provide you with the best pork.”
“Animal Care a Top Priority,” is a video in which Phillips takes viewers on a virtual tour inside his swine barns as he details why animal care is important to him. “We want these pigs to be as stress-free and comfortable as possible,” Phillips says. He explains how he uses technology to keep his pigs cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
“Sustainable Pig Farmers Embrace Technology,” is a video in which Richard Gray, environmental health and safety manager, explains what happens at each stage of a process to convert manure into energy at the Sandy River Farm in Arkansas. The farm uses an anaerobic manure digester .
“Baby Pigs: The Gift of Life,” shows how baby pigs are cared for on a daily basis at Sandy River Farm. Randy Ayers explains how he cares for sows and pigs and works with a veterinarian to ensure the animals’ well-being.
The Pork Checkoff’s YouTube channel includes more than 70 titles. Other popular videos range from “Boars or Monster Pigs?” which shows how farmers provide humane housing and care for male pigs, to “Alternative Lifestyles of a Sow,” which features Sandy River Farm’s free-access stalls.
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“Sometimes our videos have edgy names, but we study the key words that people search for online and use this information to share our story,” says Roof. She tracks the demographics of the people who are viewing the Pork Checkoff videos.
In order to reach an even wider audience, the Pork Checkoff is developing additional YouTube videos in 2013, and is utilizing veterinarians to serve as spokespeople for the pork industry.
“Promoting the Pork Checkoff’s videos and linking to them in social media conversations offers a great way to show how pork farmers are working every day to do things better,” Roof says.
Visit the Pork Checkoff’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/PorkCheckoff.
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