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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-03-16, Page 74Page 12A -Farm Progress '94 Wild boars in Shipka A little respect, please! by Nellie Evans European wild boars have a reputation for being vicious. But according to one farmer, wild boars only attack when cornered or when a litter of babies are threatened, as a dog would. All wild boars need is respect. Shipka farmer Linda Haccius says European wild boars won't seek out a person or animal for the sake of killing it. Boars would rather run in the opposite direction. "They will band together (when threatened)," she said, "They're social, family oriented. They're not vicious, they're defensive." President of the Canadian European Wild Boar Association (CEWBA), Haccius began raising wild boars three years ago. Her knowledge of the animal is exten- sive. Like a dog, female wild boars will give chase to anything threatening an average liter of four. Females will circle the nest in a 30 -foot radius and wam the intruder by clicking her teeth and barking like a dog, said Haccius. Each of 39 sows and their of- fspring are allowed to roam one acre of bush or pasture. With an additional two males roaming their domain, Haccius spreads her herd over more than 50 acres. (An ideal situation is a mix of pasture and bush.) Wild boars root through the soil for food -roots, nuts, berries, acorns, grubs and worms. The boars have enhanced the 30 -acre bush by aerating the soil. If they discover a burrow, they'll even feed on small animals like rabbits. But wild boars do not seek out animals for the sake of killing them. "Deer go through the bush still. A pair of Canada geese have come for the last four years and live with the wild boars," she said. A slow-growing animal, wild boars reach a market weight of 150 pounds in two years. ... Hard to handle Because they are wild, there is little handling of the wild boar. "To feed them, you can't herd them, you must lure them," she said. Haccius added contact must be kept regularly so the boars are less afraid to be handled. "You want to keep them wild but manageable." she said. Female wild boars are divided into brooding pens in a series of chutes. Weaner and larger boars are ear tagged in a V-shaped chute with a false floor which drops, suspen- ding the boar in the air. They are handled again at two years to be shipped to market. Dark, lean meat Wild boar meat is dark, like beef, and lean with low fat and cholesterol content. The meat must be cooked low and slow or seared at a high temperature (as in stir fry) because it dries out quickly. The flavor is "distinct but not gamey" like some wild animals, said Haccius. Wild boar meat is best served with fruit sauces and wine. Haccius plans to open a store on her farm this spring selling frozen cuts of wild boar meat. Government inspected cuts like roasts and ribs. "We're trying to educate Canadians that there is an alter- native," she said. Achieving a pure breed Haccius is also a member of the Wild Boar Federation of Canada which is trying to generate a purebred Canadian wild boar. Acceptance of the species by the Animal Pedigree Act means producers can aim at a higher set of breeding standards. Haccius will begin breeding a third generation of wild boars this year, the final step in achieving purebred stock. Producers' meeting The Canadian European Wild Boar Association is planning an information meeting for April 9 at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) office in Clin- ton. The association seeks membership of area producers with two generations of records. For more information, call Linda Haccius at 238-5102 or mail to her address at RR 2, Dashwood, Ont. r i When you think of luxury think LINCOLN When you think LINCOLN think... ERIC CAMPBELL LINCOLN iIG SAVINGS ARE SPRINGING UP ALL 1994 LINCOLN TOWNCAREXEWVE SERIES {voila $37,995° 1994 MARK VIII __ tY°m $45,595' 'Plus Licence, Freight ($870.). Taxes Extra. • 1994 CONTINENTAL EXECUTIVE SERIES fYQ� 6 * European wild boards have rust -colored coats with black stripes when they're born. Shipka farmer Linda Hacclus said the coloring reminds people of chipmunks or deer. LINCOLN (corner of Hwy. #83 & Hwy. #4) 1-23 380 HURON COUNTY'S LARGEST MERCURY & LINCOLN DEALER!