In the continuing saga of the heritage pig search....
Berkshire - The Berkshire pig is also known as the "lady's pig" because of its smaller size and is a friendly and curious breed. This pig is known for its excellent meat which is heavily marbled and flavourful. The pig is black with white points on its snout, feet and tail. The Berkshires have good mothering instincts and litter of 8-10 piglets. Rare Breeds Canada lists eight breeders of Berkshire in Canada.So, that is it for rare breed pigs in Canada. Five. Five rare breeds of pig - Tamworth, Red Wattle, Large Black, Hampshire and the Berkshire. Oh, and don't forget the two Gloucestershire Old Spot located on Vancouver Island.
I find it very sad that so many breeds are becoming extinct because one or two breeds have become the predominant producers of bacon, pork, and lard, and all others have been thrown by the wayside.
The reason I want heritage pigs (and other animals and plants) is preserve the diversity of livestock which is dwindling worldwide. They are part of our history - a living history of the farm. They are what our grandparents, great grandparents and forefathers owned, bred and consumed.
Genetic diversity is so important to the environment and also to humans as a species. If the diversity of plants and animals is wiped out - in reality, then so are we. It may take a while, but it will happen. Eventually.
3 comments:
i too am concerned about the declining heritage breeds... soon we will be dependent on monsanto and other corporations who will control the market, via patents... scary stuff...
http://freebiotechnology.blogspot.com/2008/05/monsanto-patent-for-pig.html
I loved the pig posts, and your thoughts about the value Canada's local breeds. There's no such thing as a one size fits all pig, or cow or chicken. Diversity is good for the animals, good for the people and good for the land. Thanks.
is so interesting how animals keep some features through years, in the genetic code hide many of the best feautures, to be inherited.
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