28 - Sunday, April 23, 1995 — North Shore News PAN Vancouver Jsland 3X Canadian at par! A FATE. worse than being put out to pasture may await farm animals farmers no longer need — extinction. By lan Noble News Reporter Fortunately, some people are try- ing to save endangered farm ani- mals. Nick Usbome and his wife Julie run Wilding Heritage Farm in Cowichan Bay on Vancouver Island. The farm is the only farm in Canada devoted exclusively to the conservation breeding of rare breeds of farm animals that is open to the public, said Usborne. The main reason some breeds of farm animals are disappearing is the of JOING'S FIRST & FINEST } ‘ e - FISHING - B&B, Dial 1-800-667-9913 ‘Aes Fox: 725-2138 (604) 725-3919 ys, Box 590, fotino.B.C.vOR 270 Hy i ‘4 in ER RET A) 4 Lees * PER ROOM - PER NIGHT Island couple a lifeline for endangered breeds “industrialization™ of farming, noted Usborne. Fifty years ago, he said, farmers needed animals that were hardy and fared well outdoors. But now, ani- mals are being raised differently. often indoors in air-conditioned buildings. ‘ Hardiness, thriftiness and adapt- ability are no longer valued. Farmers now look for animals that respond well in a climate-con- trolled environment, Usborne said. Take the case of the beleaguered Berkshire pig. The breed arrived in Canada from England in 1832, said Usborne. In time, the Berkshire, well suit- ed to the outdoors and old-style farming, became Canada's most popular breed’ of porker. Now, only 75 breeding females reside in Canada because of the way farming has changed. Modern pig farmers looking for animals that thrive in intensive management systems pass over the Berkshire. | Get Away to Tofino from $59.00 per night } A beach front resort situated on quiet MacKenzie Beach. Large indoor pool & spa yc @ an MatKenzie Beach R BF Ss GO FR T 604-725-3439 RO.Box 12, Tofino B.C. VOR 2Z0 « WITH A FOOD AND BEVERAGE CREDIT EACH NIGHT OF YOUR STAY The Embassy Suv invites you to enjoy a mini-holiday, ‘Victoria style! From now until, May 31, 1995, stay in Downtown Victoria for only $69 per night and receive a $25 food and beverage credit for each night of your stay. Call toll-free and ask for the 69/25 special! . Singhe or double eccupancy. Taxes additional. Based on space availability. Not valid for groups or other special discounts. No cash refund on unused ford & beverage credit. Offer wood until May 31/95. Non-cominissic “All the animals that don’t fit modern methods are basically being let go,” Usborne said. He added 30% of ali farm animals are on the verge of extinction. But why should people care? Usborne pointed out two rea- sons. First, the purely practical rea- son that if farming has changed so dramatically in the past 50 years, it will likely do so in the next 50 as well. Maintaining a breeding stock becomes a sort of insurance policy, helping to ensure that the breeds are there if today’s high-production. based systems are no longer viadic or acceptable. Already, Usborne said the Joss of breed diversity has been enormous. “The loss of genetic diversity within today’s super-breeds is equally frightening.” he said. Usborne also cites cultural rea- sons for preserving breeds. He turns to the Canadienne breed of cow to illustrate his point. Cattle imported as early as 1550 to New France, now Quebec, were allowed to roam and interbreed. ~ Over about a 100-year period, the animals began to breed “true” and created a new breed — the Canadienne. ; The Canadienne, Usborne said, is “as much part of our heritage as any building and the loss of that part of our history should matter to people.” The Usbornes now have 17 dif- ferent and endangered breeds of § cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. Usborne said Wilding Heritage’ Farm works on numerous levels to. bring the situation of endangered animals to the attention of the pub- lic and government. __ The farm also works with other groups nationally and international- ly to promote farm animal conser- vation. ; Locally, the farm invites school groups to tour the facility and learn about animal conservation. a: ee ee 3 f The Wilding Heritage Farm, located about six km (four miles) south of Duncan, is open April to November seven days a week. There is also a petting farm for chil-: dren. For more information call 1- J 604-746-6511. NEWS pnoto Terry Peters FISHING’S FINE at the north end of Vancouver Island. Michael Agrios and Ted Clark show off. their freshly caught coho salmon, which near Port McNeil. 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