The Eastern Ontario Chapter held its 2009 AGM at the Guest House
at Upper Canada Village (Near Morrisburg, Ontario)
on Sunday, April 19, 2009

Farm Tour

The day started of with a Tour of the Upper Canada Village Barns at 11:00 am. Animals on display included the following breeds:

• Canadian Horse

• Canadienne Cow

• Berkshire Pig

• Border Leicester Sheep

After the tour, everyone came back to the Guest House
for coffee and registration.

Annual General Meeting

Just before 1:00 pm, we started the RBC-EOC AGM
with Co-chair (and National RBC Director) Elwood Quinn
in the Chair and dealt with the usual reports.

Before starting the election of officers, three chapter members
were honoured for their long and enthusiastic support of
the cause of the preservation of Rare Breeds.

Jane Buckley was honoured for her tireless service to the chapter as Chapter Display Co-ordinator. In fact, over the years, Jane has held virtually every post in the Executive including that of Chapter Chair.

Liz McKenzie was honoured for her efforts as Publisher of Genesis
which Past Chapter Chair Bill Johnston described as the public face of Rare Breeds Canada.

Ted Lawrence was honoured for his years of leadership at the local and national level including years each as a National Director and as National Chair of Rare Breeds Canada.

Each person was presented by the author with a copy of a book by long time chapter member, former shepherd and author Eugene Fytche.

Eugene Fytche has written two books on predation of livestock and, more recently, a history of log fences in Ontario.

The results of the election are provided below with contact information.

Presentation Topic: The Chantecler Chicken

Speakers Michel Boulianne (president) and Andre Auclair (secretary) of the Association Promoting and Breeding the Chantecler Fowl gave a fascinating presentation on the history and status of this remarkable breed.

The Chantecler Chicken is the only breed of poultry developed in Canada.
It is regarded as the national poultry bird of Quebec.
For more information on the Chantecler Chicken
see: http://www.cfagrf.com/Chantecler_chicken.htm

After an extensive question period, the group broke for a catered meal.

Catered meal featuring Rare Breeds

Chef Matt Quinn served a delicous meal, largely based on Rare Breed meats, including, bacon and pulled pork with salads and desserts from a number of the Executive and others.

A Second Presentation

During presentation on the Chantecler breed, Andre and Michel had made some references to the Canadienne Breed. After the meal, Andre Auclair, in response to many requests during the meal, made an unscheduled but extremely interesting presentation about recent studies concerning the breed.

A key point in his presentation was that one Canadienne cow has outperformed other breeds when assessed on the basis of an index of productivity which is based, not just on total production, but on fat and protein production as well as feed conversion efficiency. If confirmed by further study, this trait would motivate a new appreciation of the merits of Rare Breeds.

Andre and Michel were thanked by Elwood on behalf of the chapter as well as by many of those attending who plied them with questions until they left after 5:00 pm.

This was an extraordinary day for the Chapter and for all those attending!

The local chapters of the following organizations assisted in the funding for this presentation.

National Farmers Union - In Union Strength
- www.nfuontario.ca

Canadian Organic Growers - Cultivons Biologique Canada
- www.cog.ca/ottawa/

The support of these two organizations is greatly appreciated

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