For those who were wondering, as members of Germany’s association for sustainable agriculture Fördergemeinschaft Nachhaltige Landwirtschaft (www.fnl.de) recently did, about what gift to give a rearing pig, look no further! Scientists from Kassel University have come up with a new toy that makes sure the hogs are having a ball – literally. Aimed at circumventing aggressive feeding behaviour associated with farm-held animals, the experts have designed a bright yellow polyurethane ball that can be affixed to the feeding trough to make every meal an experience. The guzzlers’ toy currently is being tested on a few lucky German guinea pigs.

The project is being funded by the German government, which has set aside EUR 200,000 in the hopes the ball will meet stricter EU regulations for pigs toys, due to come into effect in 2013. Who knew plastic would some day be helpful in making a pig of itself?