TWELVE rare breed piglets have been born at the Duchy College home farm at Stoke Climsland, to the delight of both staff and students.

The pedigree herd of British Lops originated in the Tavistock area. The floppy ears covering the eyes of this breed help to make them very docile and the pigs were very popular with families at the recent lambing open day at the farm.

The mother of the piglets is called 'Liskeard Sunshine' and another sow, from the extremely rare 'Mary line' is due to farrow in early April.

Farm Manager Richard Griffiths said: "We have chosen to keep British Lops because we are looking to promote the qualities of heritage breeds, such as the ability to resist disease, the ability to thrive in outdoor extensive systems and the flavour of the meat. Taste is often less of a feature in intensively reared stock but it is increasingly important to many consumers.

"The piglets have proved a big hit with our students, who get involved in all aspects of the farm, from cropping out in the fields to management of livestock. It is very much a training farm.

"We like students to get a foot into the real world, so they learn all about the business of farming, including important issues such as profitability and legislation."

Dave Linnell OBE, the principal of Cornwall College, said: "It is important for students to learn about livestock from birth right through the farming process. Duchy College will be keeping a couple of the piglets to add to the herd, and in future we hope to use our own meat when processing and creating food products in the Food Technology Building."