More Friday the 13th farming superstitions

Mar 13, 2015

There’s still one more “unlucky” day in 2015

Hey, what’s a good horror flick without a good sequel, anyway?

For the second time in 2015, Friday the 13^th is here and people are just as weary about it as ever. Airlines seem to offer some nice discounts to people who are flying today, black cats are avoided and people are clutching their lucky rabbit feet in hopes they find fortune.

As they did on Friday, February 13^th, motorcycle enthusiasts are making their way to Port Dover, Ontario for a day of all things motorcycle.

Every industry has their own superstitions and farming is no exception.

Katherine Grossman from Pennsylvania described some of the superstitions she’s heard of.

“Keep a smelly billy goat with your cows and they’ll never get sick,” she said via Twitter. “Never plant peas or beans on the day that baking is done (and) to cure founder in horses from over feeding grain, pee on their hay before feeding.”

Emily Helmuth from Mapleton Township in Ontario said she saw a black cat near her shed today and hadn't seen one since winter set in.

Here are a number of other superstitions some farmers may believe:

Years ending in the number 8 will have strange weather
Putting a rusty nail or something made of iron in gardens when seeds are planted will help them grow
If a pregnant woman plants seeds they are guaranteed to do well
Never raise 13 of any one thing
If it rains on Easter Sunday, it will rain for the following seven Sundays
In Kentucky, do not plant until after Kentucky Derby Day (May 2, 2015)

Unfortunately for those who believe bad things happen in threes, there’s still one Friday the 13^th left in 2015 – Friday, November 13.

Join the conversation and tell us if you’re superstitious. If so, what are some of them and how do they apply to your farm?

Friday the 13th

Video: Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.