When it comes to knowing what consumers want to know about your farm, it can sometimes be overwhelming. What do you talk about on social media about the farm? Does it matter?
Actually, it does quite a bit. Consumers are very interested in what you are doing and how you make the food they consume.
So, what should you focus on if you want to help get positive dairy messages out there?
Here are the top things consumers want to know from you:
1. How are the cows?
Your animals’ health and safety are your top priority. Whatever your cows need, they get because it’s in your nature to care for your animals and you want to provide consumers the best possible product and that only comes from well-cared-for cows.
2. How is the land?
You are constantly improving on protecting the environment through your sustainability practices — the dairy industry’s greenhouse gas footprint is only 2 percent of the U.S. total.
3. Is the milk good?
Your product is affordable, sustainable and nutritious — Americans get more than half of the calcium and vitamin D from dairy as well as 18 percent of their protein needs.
That’s basically it — given that you show how you do these things. I suggest doing videos on how you take care of the cows: from the silage, to vet care, to the housing, to the cow brushes, to reusing water and manure, to the milk trucks and testing the tank, and your individual interactions with the animals. People love seeing the farm in action along with your expert commentary.
The farmers who get the largest followings on social media do just that — they provide a virtual tour and talk about what they love the most about farming. You can see their passion in their videos, the beauty in their photos, and the overwhelming love of the land in their written prose. You can do this, too, because I know all farmers share the same passion.
If you need help getting started in social media and you are in the dairy industry, please reach out to your local dairy checkoff.
To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit www.USDairy.com or send a request to join our Dairy Checkoff Facebook group.
