You may notice local farmers tout the benefits of heritage breed livestock such as pastured poultry and Berkshire pork. Here is everything you need to know about what heritage breeding is and why it should matter to you.
Definition
Before mass scale agriculture, heritage livestock breeds were traditionally raised by farmers. This is basically a breed that was developed before commercial farming became popular. Think of the old-time pigs and chickens that were raised in backyards and barnyards in Europe and America. Farmers selected these breeds and kept breeding them for their ease of rearing, tastes, and hardiness. Sadly, because of hybrid breeding, which combines multiple breeds for their most desired traits, many of these breeds are extinct.
Today, hybrid breeds are carefully created for industrial production purposes on a mass factory scale. The results is that the modern meat industry is dominated by large numbers of only a few varieties of the major meat animals.
Why Breed Heritage?
Let’s start with a question. Do you enjoy pasture raised meat like chicken and pork?
The truth is, you can’t get the health benefits of pastured meat without heritage breeding. In pork for instance, this is because industrialization has basically bred out many of the behaviours that pigs need to be pasture raised. They simply cannot survive in natural conditions. This alarmingly includes caring for their young as sows will kill their piglets by rolling over and trampling because they have lost the natural instincts. This also applies to heritage breed chickens and the way they produce eggs and offspring.
Again, only heritage breeds can glean their nutrition from pasture and produce meat with all the additional health benefits. Industrial animals are supplemented with grain and other commercial feed for greater production. This introduces antibiotics, hormones and GMO feed into the system.
Along with better foraging, heritage breeds are hardier and withstand disease naturally. They also are raised in open space and have less chance of spreading any illness. Both mean less need for antibiotics if any need at all. Without heritage breeds, producers cannot practice regenerative and organic farming because of all the external outputs like synthetics and chemicals required for production.
We already know the health benefits, but many also claim that pastured livestock produce meat that is richer in flavor. Take the Berkshire pig. Berkshires are known for their very tasty, darker meat. They are a popular niche breed for small farmers, especially in Alberta. They are also one of the oldest breeds known. Berkshires are hardy, active foragers, and reach around 600 pounds at maturity. Personality-wise, they are curious, friendly, and have a very good disposition. Raising them ethically and humanely is not a problem for the farmer.
In summary, heritage livestock breeds are essential for sustainable food and regenerative farming. Not to mention they are a healthier and tastier choice. If you really are what you eat, might as well enjoy some heritage right?
Have any questions? Leave a comment below.