Montreal Area Farm Takes Action to Preserve Genetic Diversity

Jun 02, 2025

A Montreal area-based farmer and agrotourism operator is taking steps to help maintain rare livestock genetics, in particular the Lacombe breed of pig. Established in 1982, Quinn Farm is a 200-acre agricultural and agrotourism operation that produces a variety of horticultural crops, more than 18 varieties of apples, Christmas and balsam trees, raises chickens, pigs and sheep, including many rare breeds, and houses a large farm store that features the farm's own produce, and a variety of local products.

Farm cofounder Elwood Quinn observes the public's awareness of the importance of maintaining genetic diversity, even within the one percent of those directly involved in food production, is minimal.

Quote-Elwood Quinn-Quinn Farm:

I've been involved for 15 years or so with Heritage Livestock Canada, a public forum for the promotion of genetic diversity.We are losing genetic diversity in farm animals about 10 times quicker than in the wild.I've got on the farm here now three breeds represented with posters to explain to visitors what they are, who they are.We have Tamworth, Berkshire and the Canadian breed Lacombe, which is quite unique.

There's only seven or eight farms in the world with Lacombe. All of them are in Canada.We have huge interest across the border to the south for this pig.Today's commercial pig is essentially a knock off of the Lacombe pig developed about 70 years ago in Lacombe, Alberta by Agriculture Canada research personnel.Our primary interest now is to get the Lacombe numbers increased and along with that some interest to have purebred pigs on farms anywhere in Canada.

Quinn notes new diseases are constantly emerging but we're losing the genetic diversity that would help in meeting those disease challenges.
He stresses extinction is forever and once it's gone, it's gone.

Source : Farmscape.ca

Video: Why Port Infrastructure is Key to Growing Canada's Farms and Economy

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) knows that strong, modern port infrastructure is vital to the success of Canada’s agriculture. When our ports grow, Ontario grain farmers and Canadian farms grow too—and when we grow, Canada grows.

In this video, we highlight the importance of investing in port infrastructure and how these investments are key to growing Ontario agriculture and supporting global trade. The footage showcases the strength of both Ontario’s farming landscapes and vital port operations, including some key visuals from HOPA Ports, which we are grateful to use in this project.

Ontario’s grain farmers rely on efficient, sustainable ports and seaway systems to move grain to markets around the world. Port investments are crucial to increasing market access, driving economic growth, and ensuring food security for all Canadians.

Why Port Infrastructure Matters:

Investing in Ports = Investing in Farms: Modernized ports support the export of Canadian grain, driving growth in agriculture.

Sustainable Growth: Learn how stronger ports reduce environmental impact while boosting economic stability.

Global Trade Opportunities: Improved port and seaway systems help farmers access new global markets for their grain.

Stronger Communities: Investment in ports means more stable jobs and economic growth for rural communities across Ontario and Canada.

We are proud to support the ongoing investment in port infrastructure and to shine a light on its vital role in feeding the world and securing a prosperous future for Canadian agriculture.

Special thanks to HOPA Ports for providing some of the stunning port footage featured in this video.