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Nedap introduces ‘Farrowing Feeding’: a new system that facilitates a simple and trouble-free transition from traditional to fully automated feeding of sows in farrowing pens. With Nedap Farrowing Feeding, each sow is optimally fed according to its requirements. As a result of this, condition loss during the lactation period is history. Nedap will present this new solution at the EuroTier trade fair, which will be held in Hannover between 11 and 14 November (Hall 11, stand F03).
“With this new solution we respond to a visible need in livestock farming. Many sow farmers experience that it is not easy to make sure that sows in farrowing pens take in enough feed. Generally, sows are fed two to three times a day. This means, especially at the end of the lactation period, they have to digest many kilos at a time. Feeding them smaller rations at more frequent intervals during the day will help improve feed intake during the lactation period”, says Gerard Weijers, Sales Manager Nedap Livestock Management. “With Nedap Farrowing Feeding, dosing can be synchronised with the condition and lactation needs of each individual sow, the lactation phase and the litter size. This allows sows to lactate uninhibitedly while remaining in good condition.”
For this, Nedap has developed Nedap Farrowing Feeding: a jackscrew dosage unit connected to a 12-volt electric motor. The system is operated by the Nedap technical platform for pig farming. The process box is set up in the central passage. On it, pig farmers can fully preprogramme the feed curve per sow, for the entire lactation period, from farrowing to weaning. It allows for up to 24 feed distributions a day.
‘Heavier piglets, less condition loss’
Sow farmer Richard Wellink, owner of a sow farm in Aalten, has field-tested the new system. In one of the sections of his sow farm he installed Nedap Farrowing Feeding. “I have run three cycles with it and I am pleased”, Wellink says. “In the other sections I need to pull up the pipes of the dosers every day. With Nedap Farrowing Feeding I have simply put all this in a curve. The sows automatically get a little more each day.” Wellink normally feeds twice a day. The new system enables him to feed smaller portion sizes four times a day. “The big advantage is that the piglets become active for a moment and they drink a little, which stimulates milk production. I notice that when these piglets are weaned, they are heavier than the ones in the other sections. What is more, the sows stay in better condition. That is important, because in the farrowing pen eggs are already in place for the next cycle.” Wellink will soon install the system in the other sections as well.
Complete programme for individual feeding
Nedap Farrowing Feeding can both be applied in farrowing pens and in gestation crates. The system can be fixed to any trough with a doser, regardless of its brand, and is available for a starting price of 250 euros per sow space. The introduction of Nedap Farrowing Feeding completes Nedap’s programme for feeding pigs individually. Whether it concerns pigs for meat consumption and gestating sows in group housing or individual sows in gestation and farrowing pens, each pig can be cared for individually with these advanced solutions by Nedap. With this, Nedap makes a valuable contribution to healthy breeding, animal welfare and profitable growth.
9 October 2014 - Nedap.
