In an effort to better engage with the public Manitoba Pork has made a number of enhancements to its live animal exhibits at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and the Red River Exhibition.
Agricultural Awareness has always been a priority for Manitoba Pork but, to counter the misinformation that has been circulating, those efforts are being ramped up.
Susan Riese, the Manager of Public Relations and Consumer Marketing Programs with Manitoba Pork, says displays at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and the Red River Exhibition are now focusing for more on the stages of production, caring for the animals, the environmental impact of the sector and its economic contribution.
Both of those fairs allow us to show some live animals so we do have pigs at both exhibits. The Red River Exhibition is on right now and agriculture has always had a place there as well as the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. It’s just a chance for us to engage with visitors. In this case they’re primarily urban and really share the story of real pork production and how pigs are raised.
Our exhibit has changed a little bit over the years. Back in the day we had a lot more gamey kind of things and the messaging was a little bit more light hearted and fun where as now our messaging is focused more on factual information, trying to dispel some of the misconceptions that are out there, still incorporating some fun facts but really trying to showcase how pigs are raised and cared for on the farm and the environmental and economic benefits to Manitoba as a province as well. Those are important to highlight.
~ Susan Riese, Manitoba Pork
Riese says these two events are an opportunity to showcase the true picture of how pigs are raised on the farm.
