Establishing social media pages for your livestock operation is almost a must in today’s day and age. While most of us obviously go to leader in all things social media, Facebook, we can often times over look the importance of also launching an Instagram page or even having a presence on Snapchat. With all of these social media tools, there are a lot of Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind as well. So how are you supposed to navigate to social media marketing world? Below are some tips to consider and think about when using Facebook to advertise and market your brand.
The saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but in online sales a good picture could be worth a thousand dollars. Like it or not, picturing your sale offering is simultaneously one of the most nerve-wracking and rewarding parts of the online sale process. Showpig.com caught up with Sarah Weisinger of Weisinger Farms to get her tips for taking the shot.
“What is your best pig in the offering?” or “Which pigs would you consider the top five in this sale?”
These are some of the most common questions that breeders receive when talking to buyers about their online sale offering. However, the answers to these questions are not as simple as one might think. Providing the seller with some basic information about your goals, budget and expectations can lead to a much better answer and ultimately provide you with the best pig for your specific needs.
Russell Pedrett has been around show pigs since he joined 4-H at the age of 9. He purchased sows for his project, and by the time he graduated high school he had 30 sows to manage. Pedrett says pigs are all he knows, and they led him to his current career of working for Ottenwalter Show Pigs in Colusa, California.
When it comes to raising show pigs, and getting them ready to sell, there is no substitute for time. Jennifer Slagle believes that time is the best resource they have in preparing their pigs for sale.
Protecting livestock and providing the best form of care is a goal every young exhibitor should strive to accomplish. After all, showing is about more than placing in the ring. Feeding properly and maintaining overall animal health is a big part of raising show projects, and part of the big picture is being able to give vaccines appropriately.
You’ve been in the hog business for a few years now. Your farm has nine sows and you have been able to afford to successfully breed and farrow them, selling several of the pigs as show pigs, and you are happy with the results you have accomplished. But now it’s time to expand. You need some capital to grow the herd, purchase more equipment and make investments.
When a swine breeding decision is made, the owner can only hope the mating produces a healthy, high-quality litter of pigs. Using a new sire or starting a new sow herd can be a gamble, but that’s also part of the fun. From the time the babies hit the ground and are sold as show hogs, then fed, trained and exhibited at their final event, it’s important to keep track of each pig’s progress. Tracking their pigs from birth to the final show, helps the breeder decide whether that particular mating was a success or not.
Kirk Swanson has raised hogs since age 7. After nearly 50 years in the business, he is now known for his super-star sow power and for raising an industry-changing sire, Hillbilly Bone.
Each year decisions must be made on which sows to keep in the herd. Breeders may feel a tug at their heart strings at the very thought of culling a sound, easy-keeping, docile sow, but when elite genetics, efficiency and consistency are the name of the game, tough decisions have to be made.
It’s sale time and anxious buyers are scanning the web looking for the right pig at the right age. As a breeder you’ve made the decision to video a few of each litter, and put them in an online sale. With a camera in hand you head to the barn, anxious to get some video and send it to your website sale manager.
The invoices, the registration papers, the delivery schedule, and you can’t forget the pigs. The only way to stay sane is to get organized. When pigs fly, you say? Remember, the goal of organizing is to make your business functional. Being organized doesn’t have to be difficult, just keep it simple.
Your sale is complete, pigs have been delivered, and now you can relax for a few days, close the book on this sale and focus on your next set. Well…not exactly. Continuing a relationship with your buyers beyond the sale gives you the opportunity to develop strong relationships that can create customers coming back year after year.
If you aren’t talking on your phone, it is ringing. All while it continually dings and bings from text messages and emails. This can only mean one thing - it is sale season. Seasoned breeder, Rory Duelm, owner of Duelms Prevailing Genetics, has managing communication in the bag. Here are a few of his tips.