View from the Cab: Fairs provide an educational experience
As the summer fair circuit comes to an end, I have to say I was really impressed with what I saw at the various fairs this summer when it comes to educating others about agriculture.
Even though we have fairs in local agriculture towns like Melvin, Pontiac, Fairbury, and even Bloomington-Normal, many of those attending don’t have any idea where their food comes from or how it is raised.
The McLean County Fair’s Food and Farm Fun Zone helped to dispel any myths out there about farming. They had signs to address the idea some have that one company supplies all of the corn and soybean seeds for the United States and farmers have to plant those seeds. The truth is, farmers have plenty of choices to buy from different companies just like people have choices for the products they use everyday like toothpaste and detergent.
According to www.watchusgrow.org, criteria for choosing seed include a farm’s soil type, location, planting date and number of growing days. Farmers may choose to go with another seed brand the following year if that seed does not meet expectations.
Another sign at the McLean County Fair addressed the myth that GMO crops are not thoroughly tested so know one knows if they are really safe. The truth is, GMOs are safe according to dozens of the world’s most scientific bodies, including the American Medical Association, World Health Organization and National Academy of Science. This information was courtesy of www.gmoanswers.com.
Signage at the Illinois State Fair taught visitors that Illinois pig farmers are proud to produce healthy, wholesome pork. Illinois Pork Producers Association provided signs that said corn provides energy to pigs while soybeans provide protein and fat. Mercer County is ranked fourth in the state for pork production as the county raises around 200,000 pigs yearly. Those pigs consume over 4.5 million pounds of soybeans and over 112 million pounds of corn.
One fun fact revealed at the State Fair is that about 70 percent of a pig’s diet is corn. Each year, 84 million bushels of Illinois corn feeds pigs and 11 million acres of corn are planted in the state every year. That means four percent of all corn grown in Illinois can feed all Illinois-raised pigs.
The State Fair’s Piglets on Parade exhibit featured newborn piglets available for viewing. Signs on the wall indicated a piglet is born at two to three pounds and nurses for three weeks. A weaned pig is weaned from the sow at 21 days old and weighs around 15 pounds.
Dairy producers had an impressive dairy building at the State Fair with the butter cow and facts like over 95 percent dairy farms are family-owned and new technologies help farmers take better care of their cows.
Now we are all a little smarter as summer comes to an end and fall knocks on the door.
For the latest ag news, market updates and ag podcasts, visit www.centralillinoisfarmnetwork.com and follow the Central Illinois Farm Network on social media.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Kent Casson View from the Cab lifestyle agriculture column
