That top educational institution, the University of Kilchoan, has been at it again - running courses which are relevant, popular and respond to the developing needs of this small community. This time, Vice-Chancellor Pat Glenday organised a course on pig rearing.Regular Diary readers will already know of the Kilchoan Pig Syndicate which has been so successful, but there are also pigs in several other fields around the peninsula, and there is every sign that more crofters will be rearing them soon. So students found out about the importance of feed, and how small variations in feed affect the porker's growing weight; about the peculiar internal organs of the sow; and how to recognise some nasty-sounding porcine ailments. Students also toured existing local pig operations and inspected the contented clientele.
The course tutor came from Portugal - what has the Diary said before about the national and international pulling-power of our University? - though she currently resides at Resipole. She told course members about the famous black Iberian pigs that eat acorns, which apparently makes the most amazing pork - the sort of distinctive selling point that Kilchoan producers need to think about.
Appropriately, Pat is busy today with another popular course - the second butchery course, the first having been oversubscribed.
Pigs are apparently good for controlling bracken!
ReplyDeleteYes, they're champion at that job, but if they're used too much they develop a serious vitamin D deficiency, so pig keepers have to be careful.
ReplyDeleteJon