EDMONTON – The kids peer through the bars of the farrowing crate at the baby piglets and wonder out loud “which one’s Babe?”
Other people wonder why the pigs’ tails are cut short or why the ears are notched.
Paul Allers, a pork producer from Strome, Alta., patiently explains the pig industry to Farmfair visitors.
The Alberta Farm Animal Care Association brought the sow and piglets to the fair held here Nov. 7-15. to show off the farrowing crate, the specially designed birthing space used in modern pig barns.
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The association wanted to alter some opinions that farrowing crates are inhumane for sows.
“Our aim is to accurately show our animals as they live and are cared for on our farms,” said Paul Hodgman, public affairs manager with Alberta Pork.
“We know that urbanization has left many people without a basic understanding of where their food comes from. We also recognize that today’s consumers want assurance that food is not only safe and wholesome, but has been humanely produced,” he said.
But the farrowing crate was not on most of the visitors’ minds. For many it is the first time they’ve seen a sow and piglet up close, said Allers.
“There’s lots of interest.”
The baby pigs are the main attractions of the display, but many people are also intrigued by the table full of byproducts made from pork.
“They’re amazed at all the products used every day. They didn’t know they were from a pig,” Allers said, pointing to the table of jujubes, glue, paint brushes, fertilizer, chalk and silly putty.
Allers said it’s important to show the public how the pork industry works, and displays are a handy method at Farmfair.
“Here in Canada, they’re not upset with the farrowing crates. We do know down the road someone is going to take a run at us. It’s important we’re out here being proactive.”
