Are pork producers really prepared?

Nov 29, 2016

Ontario Pork is producing a guide to aid in farm emergency plans

By Jennifer Jackson

Disaster can come in all shapes and forms on the farm. The Ontario Pork Producers’ Marketing Board plans to address all types of disasters in a new on-farm emergency preparedness guide.

The guide will include advice and templates on managing and planning for emergencies such as drought, floods, ice storms, and power outages Ontario Pork will also include tips for handling major disasters such as tornadoes, fires, disease outbreaks, and hurricanes, according to a Nov. 28 release.

Pig

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“Ontario Pork’s goal with this emergency preparedness guide is to encourage farmers to take a critical look at their agricultural operation,” Ken Ovington, general manager of Ontario Pork, said in the release. “This way they will be better prepared for any event that could disrupt their farming operation.”

Writing an emergency plan helps farmers identify potential risks and areas for improvement. “A little time spent adopting some proactive measures now may save a lot of time and money should the farm experience an emergency in the future,” according to the release.

A detailed farm emergency plan will not only benefit the livestock, but will also aid in better directing those involved in an emergency, including first responders, farm staff, family members, and neighbours.

Ontario Pork plans to create a program to engage farmers with the information in the guide – potentially in the form of workshops.

Farms.com has reached out to Ontario Pork for further information.

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