2006

In a presentation to attendees of the Banff Pork Seminar in Banff, Alberta Jan. 20, Wayne Caldwell outlined the results of a research project in Ontario that studied several sizeable livestock operations and the perceptions of their neighbours.

Caldwell called the results a "good news story" for livestock operators. In general, it was found that once neighbours were exposed to the realities of hog production in their environment, they were more likely to change previously held negative perceptions of the industry.

"The research was an effort to better understand why conflicts arise and how to prevent them," says Caldwell. "The study provides an important framework for the agricultural industry to develop approaches to prevent and deal with community issues more effectively."

Fifty livestock operations from across Ontario, each with over 150 livestock units and having operated for at least five years, were chosen for the research. Of the 50 operations, 21 were hogs, 10 dairy, 11 beef and eight poultry.

Four hundred landowners in direct proximity to the farms were contacted and 180 of those surveyed responded. Almost three-quarters of the participants had resided at their location before the neighbouring operation was built or expanded.

The producers received generally good reviews from their neighbours in regards to their agricultural practices and their quality as neighbours. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed had never expressed a concern about the neighbouring livestock operation.

Sixty-nine percent said farmers are good stewards of the land and 70 percent said they are good at taking care of their animals. Over half of the respondents said that farm operators apply manure to their fields appropriately.

Co-operation between livestock operators and their neighbours generally improved after construction, regardless of pre-construction protests. This was partially the result of operators taking proactive measures such as holding open houses, says Caldwell. "The proactive approaches taken by the farmers usually overcame the previous negative perceptions."

Good communication between the producers and their neighbours was a key factor in a more harmonious situation. "When it comes to positive neighbour relations, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," says Caldwell. "A good neighbour policy makes a great difference."

Many of the producers involved in the research followed this "good neighbour policy" by advising neighbours of field activity such as spraying fields or spreading manure, holding open houses, providing employment in the community and generally having an open door policy towards their neighbours.

Caldwell recommends that operators prepare a communications plan that addresses as many concerns as possible before they build or expand. Listening to neighbour's concerns one-on-one is also valuable. "This approach to mediating conflict has a higher probability of reducing conflict compared to formal litigation," he says.

With fewer and fewer people having connections to the farming community, Caldwell says education can play a crucial role in developing a positive relationship between operators and neighbours.

"Fear often arises due to lack of knowledge. Education about farming practices can go a long way in calming fears," he says. "Operators taking the time to inform neighbours of the practices in their barns and fields enable neighbours to understand the operation, make educated decisions and create a positive relationship."

The Banff Pork Seminar is co-ordinated by the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, in co-operation with Alberta Pork, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and other pork industry representatives from across Canada. More information is available on the Seminar Web site, www.banffpork.ca.

Source: Banff Pork - 24th January 2006