To tweet or not to tweet? Social interactions shifting platforms

(Bookstrucker/supplied)

Using 280 words to say what you feel about a certain subject, or to describe what’s going on at your farm operation, is a thing of the past according to one keynote speaker at the Prairie Cereals Summit.

Jordyn Prior, an essay contest winner, says she’s seen a shift in which social media platforms consumers are leaning towards to get their information.

“What’s happening now is that we’re really really good on Twitter as an ag community,” she says. “[For example] if you have a question, or your combine breaks down, or you want to know anything about markets — it’s there. But now what’s happening, is the competition and people that are telling our stories for us, they’re actually shifting towards Instagram.”

This means more personal interaction according to Prior. She says the consumer no longer cares about the calf that’s being born, but rather who’s there to help the cow if she needs it, or the process of calving and the long hours it can potentially take.

Prior is no stranger to agriculture, having grown up on a mixed operation her whole life and still contributing to this day. With this is mind, she says when you look back at the horrible harvest most had in 2019, the consumer is curious as to why crops can’t be harvested, why it’s a stressful time of year, etc. On Instagram, with things like Instagram TV and the ability to share instantly through its stories application are key for the producer to share his or her story.

On the flip side, she says if farmers and ranchers don’t take to sharing their message, others — who don’t have the best interest of agriculture in mind — will do it for them.

“Environmentalists, activists, they’re playing the game. They know exactly what they’re doing, they know how to get followers, they’re doing the Instagram stories and they’re telling our stories for us,” she explains. “This is what I tell people, ‘you are the one getting up in the middle of the night, whether it’s raining, snowing, you’re the one putting in the effort, all the hard work — it’s your story to be told’ I can’t do it for you, I can only do it for myself, and my farm so you need to get out there [and tell your farm’s story].”

Listen to the full interview between Jordyn Prior and RealAgriculture’s Jessika Guse on sharing your farm’s story via Instagram below:

Wake up with RealAgriculture

Subscribe to our daily newsletters to keep you up-to-date with our latest coverage every morning.

Wake up with RealAgriculture

Tags: