PORKtober Feature: Cara Haden, DVM, Pig Vet

If you think that your life is boring as a pig farmer and nothing that you do is interesting, Cara Haden, DVM, suggests you think again.

A Pipestone veterinarian out in the field and commonly known as “Pig Vet” on the social media channel of TikTok, Haden not only dedicates her time to pig farmers and their operations, but also serves an audience of millions of viewers who are eager to learn about pig farming and where their food comes from.

Growing up on a pig farm, Haden developed a deep respect for pig farmers as she experienced firsthand the dedication from her father caring for the pigs, the environment, the people who worked for him and the local community.

@cara.haden Come learn where your food comes from!! #food #farm #pigs #veterinarian ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

Meanwhile, in today’s society, Haden became frustrated as farmers are too often villainized in the food and meat production story—sparking Haden’s idea to share her understanding of pig farming on social media.

Beginning with Facebook and Instagram, Haden quickly realized she was not reaching her intended audience and was simply reaching people with farm backgrounds and those that already supported pig farming.

Then, her husband, a high school teacher, suggested TikTok, a large social platform of young viewers, as a way to reach a demographic removed from the farm and without knowledge of how their food is produced.

Only four videos into the TikTok venture and “Cara Haden Pig Vet” went viral.

@cara.haden Newborn piglet doing well!! #farm #pig #pipestonevet #wherefoodcomesfrom #obstetrics ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

With many videos reaching over 1 million views, it is clear TikTok viewers are hungry for Haden’s content.

“I don't have a fancy camera. I don't have any special equipment. Every video I post is something I've taken for myself. I don't even use editing software, as I just edit within TikTok. So, you literally don't need anything fancy or anything special,” Haden notes.

Many of Haden’s videos are filmed around everyday tasks and events and offer simple explanations of what happens on a pig farm. She says, some of the videos that seem to be the simplest end up going viral. Additionally, Haden has included more planned content, like talking about food labels and sow housing.

@cara.haden A different pen design I haven’t shared yet! #design #pen #environment #choice ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

From explaining a large pen electronic sow feeding system to sharing the interactions between pigs and their caregivers, Haden pulls the curtain on pig farming and shares a “behind the scenes” view.

@cara.haden #trust #calm #unafraid #force #caregiver ♬ original sound - Cara Haden Pig Vet

Wanting to reach viewers without an understanding of where their food comes from, her audience consists of around 80% U.S. viewers and 20% out of the country. Of the people who watch her videos, 70% are women and a majority of her followers are between ages 18 and 34.

“I would really encourage people to get on social media,” Haden adds. “We need more voices. While I have a following that’s pretty large, I, in no way, want to be the only pig farmer or person sharing the story.”

Pipestone and its independent farmer shareholders have also been very supportive of Haden. She says, “I have a lot of independent pig farmers say, ‘Thank you so much for sharing what we do. It’s not something that we are good at doing. We just really appreciate that Pipestone cares about our industry and wants to showcase what we are doing.’”

While Haden’s social following continues to grow, she says she has no intention of leaving the veterinary practice. She enjoys her work as a production and health veterinarian, as well as serving as the director of animal welfare for the Pipestone management company.

Haden says, “My goal is to educate people about where their food comes from and showcase what pig farmers do to care for their pigs. I’ll keep making videos, as I just want to keep sharing what my clients are doing.”

All of Haden’s videos can be found on @cara.haden on TikTok.

Thank you, Cara Haden, DVM, for your dedication to swine producers, as well as an audience eager to learn more about pig farming and how their food is raised!