AN AGRICULTURAL college is living up to its reputation of leading the field when it comes to high pig welfare.

The new unit at Bishop Burton College was the only one in the UK to farrow outdoors on straw when it was officially opened in 2007.

Now it is believed to be the first in Britain to have a sow “village”

where new breeding stock can live outdoors up to and beyond the birth of their litters.

The unit, which is RSPCA Freedom Food Assured, has proved so successful that it is in the process of refreshing and increasing the herd.

That raised the question as to where the new animals would be housed.

Sean Walker, stockman, said that, as the new breeding stock would be expected to farrow outdoors, it seemed logical to erect housing for them outdoors.

He said: “This will help harden them off in time for them to give birth and provides a much healthier lifestyle.”

“Pigs respond very well to being out in the fresh air. Indoor accommodation is traditionally dusty and this can cause some problems. By being outdoors, we now have healthier, happier pigs.”

The new system has been in place for a year and has been working well. Each of the unit’s eight villas can house six sows or up to nine gilts and Mr Walker is delighted that the health of the herd is excellent.

“As far as we are aware the Bishop Burton College pig unit is the only one using this system in the UK,” he said.

“It was designed in-house with advice from Checkmate Pig Management and built by Henry Booth Group Ltd, which also built the farrowing arcs.

“The villas are a simple design made with galvanised steel with straw-lined sleeping quarters and an outdoor lying and drinking area.

“As a high-welfare unit this was the obvious solution to our need for more housing and the pigs are thriving as a result.”

Jeanette Dawson, college principal, has been instrumental in driving the developments across the college farm and is delighted with the latest improvements on the pig unit.

She said: “As the farm is a commercial enterprise it’s vital that we continue to invest in it in order that we maintain profitability and welfare standards and show our learners what can be achieved if you have the right expertise and a little imagination.”