Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Using a pig spleen to predict the weather

Using a pig spleen to predict the weather

The fat on a pig’s spleen can identify if cold weather may be in the forecast

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Between countless apps and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, producers have no shortage of tools for weather prediction.

But one man’s family taught him to use a pig’s spleen for this task.

Jeff Woodward, an engineer with Environment and Climate Change Canada, learned the craft from Gus Wickstrom, Woodward’s late uncle who farmed in Tompkins, Sask.

Woodward’s European ancestors butchered a pig in the fall and used clues on the spleen to determine the kind of weather Mother Nature had in store.


Jeff Woodward predicts a forecast in 2016

 


Farmers looked at both the spleen’s thickness and the ridge of fat that runs down the centre of the spleen.

“If you look at that (ridge), how big it is and different sort of deposits on it, you can actually create a graph,” Woodward told Calgary Eyeopener yesterday. “You divide the spleen up into six parts (which represent six months) from January to June.”

The top of the spleen shows the current month and the bottom indicates the end of the six-month period. A thickening of the spleen could indicate the pig ate more to prepare for colder temperatures.

The spleen could be used to predict weather for about a 200-km radius from the pig’s home farm, Woodward said.

While he’s had some success predicting weather with this tool, his uncle became a celebrity for the art, Woodward added.

“When (Wickstrom) retired from farming, he took it up with great vigour,” Woodward told Calgary Eyeopener. “He started doing predictions for people in the U.S. They would actually send him spleens from different spots in the U.S.”

Woodward posts his forecasts on the Facebook page Pig Spleen Weather Prognostication.

He predicts the end of April will see above average precipitation, and May to start out colder than normal.

Farms.com has reached out to Woodward for more insight into his prediction methods.


Trending Video

Complete Guide to WELL WATER Testing!

Video: Complete Guide to WELL WATER Testing!

Are you clueless about where to get your water tested, how to perform the tests, or interpret the results? Don't sweat it! I'm here to simplify water filtration for you.

In this step-by-step guide, I will take you through the entire process of testing well water quality. From choosing the right test kit, identifying common mistakes during the sampling process, to analyzing the results, I've got you covered.

I'll be demonstrating the process using a test kit from https://mytapscore.com/. They offer a range of comprehensive tests and easy-to-follow instructions, making water testing a breeze!

You'll see me sample water right from my home, as I share tips and insights on how to get the most accurate results. Plus, I'll answer FAQs about water testing and talk about what a complete well water filtration system should consist of.

By the end of this video, you'll not only have a better understanding of water quality and the threats that could be lurking in your tap, but you'll also know how to tackle them.

Once you have your results, send them to us at info@waterestore.com with your water concerns, and we'll provide personalized recommendations for fixing your water.