AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM
This article was originally printed in the April / May 2000 issue of Tracking The Industry. . .
How are our children's perceptions being
shaped in our schools? Be encouraged! Deer farming is a recognized sector of
Saskatchewan agriculture. Now encourage "educators" to make use of this
material. (Excerpts from Agriculture in the Classroom.)
Agriculture in The Classroom (Sask) Inc. is a non-profit
organization funded by the agri-food industry with assistance from Saskatchewan
Agriculture and Food. AITC is mandated to assist Saskatchewan learners and
educators in increasing their awareness and understanding of the complexities
ad importance of agriculture through partnerships with educators,
agri-business, and agriculture organizations. AITC's efforts enable more people
to make informed choices and decisions related to food, the environment,
life-styles, and agriculture practices.
The
agriculture and agri-food industry in Saskatchewan makes a significant
contribution to the provincial economy, to the well being of both rural and
urban communities, and to the environment. This industry is constantly evolving
from the traditional family farm to large international agri-businesses. It is
important to provide the general public with a greater awareness and
understanding of industry changes and the impact they have on Saskatchewan
people.
Deer farming is a viable form of
diversification for farmers in Saskatchewan. Western farmers have proven to be
flexible and adaptable when it comes to expanding their farm base in order to
minimize risk on their farming operation. In the past, Saskatchewan farms have
specialized in either grain or livestock production for an export market, but
the farm crisis of the 1980s made some farmers realize they should expand their
production to include other commodities. Some extended their crop rotations to
include oilseeds, legumes and spices, while others decided to include
diversified livestock. The livestock industry offers many alternatives
including game farming of deer and bison.
The
attraction of game farming includes the low maintenance aspect of the animals
and the ability to turn marginal and low-return crop land into pasture. Deer
require less maintenance than cattle because deer need little help during
calving, require less handling and are more efficient users of feed (forages
and supplements). Like cattle, deer are ruminants. Deer are indigenous to this
part of the world and therefore able to utilize the available plant material;
they also require less shelter than what would be required for an imported
animal.
Advantages
Environmental or ecological advantages associated with deer farming
are many and even have some implications for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions for Canada's commitments through the Kyoto Protocol. The return of
marginal crop land to 'permanent cover' is one of the mechanisms for provision
of carbon sinks as well as reduction of GHG emissions. Farmers who raise deer
and convert some of their marginal crop land to forages (long-term cover) are
contributing to soil conservation because long-term cover prevents soil erosion
(both wind and water), reduces use of pesticides and contributes to the quality
and fertility of soil. Grazing deer on native or tame forage allows
biodiversity. Creation of forage areas results in the protection of wetlands,
which promotes waterfowl breeding grounds and protection of habitats for small
animals and upland game birds.
Concerns
There is much controversy
about domestic raising of wild animals such as deer, elk and bison. One of the
arguments against it is a health concern regarding the possible transfer of
disease between the domestic and wild herds. "The Domestic Game Farm Animal
Regulations", May 19, 1999, is the provincial legislation governing game
farming in Saskatchewan and is co-administered by Saskatchewan Agriculture and
Food (SAF) and Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM). The
federal Health of Animals Act regulates game farming as well. Canada's
health standards regarding animal health and disease control are the highest in
the world and Canadian livestock producers do not tolerate any lowering of
existing standards. The transfer of tuberculosis between wild and domestic deer
and elk herds has been a concern in the past but strict regulations have
resulted in tuberculosis-free herds in Alberta and Saskatchewan through the
elimination of any infected herds.
Other concerns
are environmental. There has been speculation that raising domestic game will
interfere with hunting, increase poaching and capture from the wild, and that
there will be the possible displacement of native species with domestic
species. There is no evidence that any of these concerns are valid; in fact,
free-ranging herds are larger and healthier in areas where there is game
farming. Their research on disease in domestic herds has had an unforeseen
benefit for wild herds because wildlife management is able to develop improved
assessment and control systems for safeguarding animal health.
Conclusion
Game farming adds
a more divers economic base to the agriculture industry in Saskatchewan and
contributes to the health of ecosystems on the prairies. It also advances the
awareness and interest of the public in wild game animals through farm tours,
education and through the contribution to wild animal health and survival that
research related to game farming has provided.
Agriculture in the
Classroom
3735 Thatcher Avenue - Saskatoon, SK
S7K 2H6
Phone (306)933-5244 Fax
(306)933-7352
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