SMB College Group are excited to welcome new British Rare Breeds to their Brooksby Campus Animal Care Centre!
The College has been supporting rare breeds for a while, having had three Grey Face Dartmoor sheep for a long time, but have recently adopted another two new rare breeds - two Golden Guernsey Goats, Pumpkin and Spice, and two Berkshire Pigs, Marilyn and Mildred!
SMB College Group Animal Studies Facilities Supervisor, Catherine Burniston, said
“I am proud to support and raise awareness of the British Rare Breeds we have chosen to join the Animal Studies Facility at our Brooksby Campus. The Grey Faced Dartmoor sheep, who have lived here for a few years already, are placid characters and fabulous for helping to build confidence in our students with handling, foot trimming and health care.
Pumpkin and Spice, the gentle-natured Golden Guernsey goats, are settling in well and have different requirements in terms of their nutritional needs compared to our other resident Pygmy goats, which is a great learning opportunity for our students. Our Berkshire piglets, Marilyn and Mildred, have also proved to be very popular additions. Chosen for their medium size and good temperament, they are very curious as well as affectionate and come running for attention, back scratches and food!”
SMB College Group understands the importance of supporting British rare breeds - according to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust 2023-2024 watchlist, Grey Face Dartmoor sheep and Golden Guernsey Goats are ‘at risk’, and Berkshire pigs are ‘at priority risk’. It is important to protect these breeds as a part of our national identity and heritage, as they represent a unique piece of the earth's biodiversity.
Animal Studies is taught at the College’s 850 acre Brooksby Campus, which is a specialist LANDEX campus offering a wide range of courses in the land-based industries and beyond, from Agriculture to Equine studies to Countryside Management and much more.
If you're interested in studying Animal Studies at SMB College Group, come along to our Brooksby Campus open day in March 2024 to find out more! Book your place at: www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk/news-events/events