-
ROTECNAWORLD
SCAN MEWITH YOUR SMARTPHONE
SWING R3 TUBE IS BORN, GROWS AND mULTIpLIES
mARC SmET pIG FARm: ADApT ITS INSTALLATIONS TO ThE NEW ANImAL
WELFARE LEGISLATION.
pIG FARmING IN ARGENTINA, A BOOmING SECTOR
2013, A GOOD YEAR FOR ROTECNA
AFRICAN SWINE FEVER IN...
The closing of the Russian frontiers to pork imports from the
European Union on the 27th of January can cause serious damage to
the European pig sector. The Russian authorities opted for the fast
route. With the confirmation of the first two cases of African
Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boar in Lithuania, Russia immediately
closed its borders to all pork from the European Union. A
completely exaggerated decision, as the ban affects not only the
countries where cases of ASF have been detected, namely Lithuania
and Poland, but also directly the other EU member states that are
free from ASF, most of which are also thousands of kilometres from
the focus of the disease. Moreover, Russia is much closer to these
areas than the majority of the European partners.
The most worrying aspect of this decision is that the effects of
the closing of the Russian frontiers can be serious for Europe in
the mid term. On one hand, easily predictable negative effects can
be caused to export figures, as Russia is Europes leading client,
with almost 25% of the Communitys exports of pig meat. On the other
hand, there is also the fear that the biggest winner in this crisis
will be the North American market, taking advantage of the gap left
by European exports. However, the American market is not passing
through its best moment, with an uncontrolled epidemic of porcine
epidemic diarrhoea (PED) in some twenty states. And finally, one of
the most immediate effects, which is already being felt, is the
fall in the prices of pork on the majority of European markets.
However, this decision by the Russian authorities could end up
backfiring. Some analysts argue that the Russian meat industry will
soon find itself without the raw materials it needs to continue
production if the close-down continues. Moreover, we should not
forget that new cases of ASF on a pig farm in Russia were made
public in early February. Perhaps now, with different
circumstances, the Russian authorities will be more willing to talk
and to reach agreements to restart pork imports from Europe, albeit
with restrictions. Obviously, these would have to be under the
strictest possible control to avoid the spread of a disease that
could do a great deal of damage to the pig sector.
On the other hand, prior to all this turmoil on the market of
European pork exports, the forecasts in the first quarterly report
for 2014 from Rabobank were good for Europe. Lower feed costs and a
positive trend in market prices suggested good profit margins for
farmers in the first six months of the year. These forecasts,
unfortunately, could be turned on their head if the European
Commission is unable to persuade the Russian authorities to sit at
the negotiating table to find an agreed solution to bring the
European sector back from the brink of the precipice it is now
facing.
Gener Romeu
FUTURENEWS
TEChNOLOGY
pIGpRODUCTIONIN...
ROTECNANEWS
GLOBALpIG
LETTERFROmThEEDITOR
ROTECNA WORLD 18
MARCH 2014
EDITION:ROTECNA, s.A.
POL. IND. NAU-3,25310 AGRAMUNT
(LLEIDA) sPAIN
DIRECTOR:GENER ROMEU
EDITION/PRODUCTION/DEsIGN:MONTsE GUERRERO
EDITORs:TAMARA LOMBARDO
TRADUCTION:CHRIs BOsWELL
PRINT:IMPRENTA BARNOLA
IssN: L-41-2007
Rotecna's World's editors accept no liability for contributor's
opinion.
SUmmARY
ROTECNA
DOWNLOAD ANY AppS FOR READER QR CODE & VIEW ROTECNA.COm
Gener RomeuRotecna's President
NUmBEREIGHTEEN2014
-
2 3
ROTECNANEWS
2 3
SOmEThINGABOUT...
The recent cases of African swine fever (ASF) confirmed in
countries of the European Union and Russia concern the sector for
the effects they could have on the European and international
markets.
The first confirmed cases of ASF in Europe appeared in January
in the county of Alytus in Lithuania. After twenty wild boars were
found dead, it was confirmed that two of them were affected by
African swine fever. Still on EU territory, two cases of wild boar
infected by ASF were confirmed in Poland in February. On the other
hand, at the end of January, the Ukrainian veterinary authorities
informed the OIE about an outbreak of African swine fever on a farm
in the Lugansk region, in the east of the
country, near the Russian frontier. Five cases were confirmed
among the twenty-six pigs on the farm. Finally, Russia also
reported a new focus of ASF on a breeder farm in Shchekinsky. There
were 57,047 animals in danger of being affected by African swine
fever on this farm, and by the end of January, 370 cases had been
confirmed.
While Russia closed its borders to all pig meat from the
European Union as soon as the cases in Lithuania came to light, the
European Commission established a list of restricted areas
regarding swine fever in that country and published a set of
restrictions for member countries aimed at avoiding the spread of
the disease.
GLOBALpIG
Calots, a
good sauCe
and the porr
full of wine,
the basiC
ingredients
for a good
Calotada
Rotecnas commitment to innovation and its insistence on always
seeking an efficient response to the livestock farmers needs means
that, despite the current context of economic difficulties, 2013
has been the firms best. A good year, shown not only by the
turnover figures, but also by the large investments the company has
made.
During 2013, Rotecna made a strong commitment for the future by
investing more than two million euros to acquire a large injection
machine and adapting its facilities accordingly. This investment
was done with the positive tendency of the company in mind, and to
ensure the R&D department has no limits when thinking up and
designing new products.
The growth of Rotecna, with a rise in demand and volume of
production during 2013, also led the company to invest in an
extension to its facilities at the end of the year, with the
acquisition of buildings next to the current production plant. This
way, Rotecna has extended the area of the plant by 15,000 square
metres to a total of over 35,000. Moreover, with the purchase and
adaptation
of the new installations, the area dedicated to production has
risen from 12,800 to 16,500 square metres.
The increase in demand and the good prospects for the future
allowed us to take on more staff during 2013. The number of
employees rose from 105 to the 130 currently working in the company
to cover the new production needs. In this sense, it must also be
kept in mind that the good evolution of Rotecna also benefits the
companies we work with occasionally or regularly and thus
stimulates the creation of indirect jobs.
Exports
During 2013, the export market continued to be the main outlet
for Rotecna products and these are now present in over 80
countries. In that sense, Rotecna works with farmers all over the
world, with an important presence in Europe and South America.
However, our market share is becoming consolidated in such
countries as the United States, the Republic of South Africa,
Singapore and Japan.
2013, a good Year for roteCna
In their speeches to the staff at Rotecnas Christmas
celebrations, the president Gener Romeu and the manager
Amable Izquierdo emphasised the good results from 2013 and
the encouraging perspectives for the company for 2014. They
congratulated all the team at Rotecna for their good work.
The calotada is a typical gastronomic event in Catalonia whose
origins lie in the town of Valls (Tarragona), where the Gran Festa
de la Calotada is held every January. However, in recent decades,
its popularity has spread all over the country and nowadays, it is
easy to find calots (tender onion shoots) to eat anywhere in
Catalonia.
The origins of the calot
The calot was discovered at the end of the 19th century by a
peasant farmer from Valls known as Xat de Benaiges, who began to
grill the tender shoots of old onions on charcoal. It was also he
who invented the sauce that, with some variations, is still eaten
today.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the calotada became a
habitual meal for many families in Valls on feast
days. However, the great rise in the calotada can be dated from
the mid 20th century, when the Penya Artstica de lOlla organised
calotades and invited personalities from the artistic and cultural
circles of Barcelona, who then helped to popularise the festival.
Nowadays, the calotada of Valls has grown in popularity and become
a meal that can be found in many restaurants in Catalonia in the
early months of the year.
Growing the calot
The process of growing the calot begins at the end of the year,
when the seeds of a specific variety of onion, the white one, are
sown. We can skip this first phase by going straight to a nursery
to buy this kind of onion.
Then, when summer comes, we have to replant the onions.
According to
farmers, its better to plant them under a full moon. After three
or four weeks, the shoots will have grown and that is when we have
to calar the onions. This means banking or covering them with
earth. It is important that, as the onions grow, they must be kept
covered with earth. This has to be done three or four times until
they are harvested, usually between January and April.
The secret of the authentic calot possibly lies in the land
round Valls. The characteristics of the water, climate, soil and
the composition of the soil of the Alt Camp district mean that the
best calots with the Protected Geograph ic Indication, IGP Calots
de Valls, grow there.
How do you do a calotada?The basic elements for a calotada are
the calots with the sauce, as well as meat, mainly llonganissa
sausage and black pudding, that are cooked on the charcoal left
over after grilling the calots.
The ritual begins with preparing the calots. This consists of
cutting the green leaves half way up and then the roots, without
cutting the body of the calots, which are then placed on grills
over a lively fire. The grills with the calots have to be turned a
couple of times while cooking. When they are cooked, in other
words, soft at the end and black on the outside, they are wrapped
up together in newspaper to keep them hot.
As they have to be eaten hot, the calots are served on the table
still
wrapped in the newspaper and, according to the tradition, placed
on a roof tile. The guests, each wearing a bib to avoid getting
dirty, and with a bowl of sauce to dip them in, can start to eat.
Calots are traditionally eaten standing up and with 20 to 35 per
person.
As mentioned, every calotada is accompanied by a good sauce,
which each cook puts their own personal touch to. However, the main
ingredients for four people are: 100 grams of toasted almonds, 30
grams of toasted hazelnuts, 4 or 5 roasted red tomatoes, 1 roasted
head of garlic, 80 cl of olive oil, 1/2 a glass of vinegar, 1 dry
pepper or sweet red pepper, parsley and salt. All this finely
chopped in a blender or mortar.
the Calotada: a Catalan
gastronomiC feast
Images: Snia Valls. Images of the Great Calotada Festival held
in Valls on the 26th of January.
2013 was a good year for the worldwide pig industry. According
to figures from Rabobank, the average value of the index of pork
prices for the five countries that use it (Brazil, China, the
United States, Canada and the European Union), was 151, a rise of
10% over 2012, and the highest level in the past five years.
According to the first quarterly report for 2014, the outlook is
for stable prices for pig meat on a world level, both for the
remains of this quarter and the next. This, combined with lower
feed costs, will be positive for the margins of the farmers,
despite the possible impact of the presence of the Porcine Epidemic
Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) on the markets in the United States, Canada
and Mexico.
For the European Union, the forecasts of Rabobank for the first
half of the year are positive. The lower feed costs and ongoing
high price levels mean good margins for the farmers. This is due to
a slight rise in pork production helped by the continuous rise in
productivity and consumption. Exports will remain stable or
slightly higher. However, we have yet to see what the impact of the
cases of ASF detected in Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Russia will
be.
On the other hand, pork imports into Japan fell by 10.9% between
January and November, due principally to the depreciation of the
yen, while the market for pork in Korea has returned to the
situation prior to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in
2009.
rabobanK foreCasts few Changes in pig priCes in 2014
afriCan swine feVer in lithuania, poland, uKraine and russia
Source: Rabobank.
-
2 3
ROTECNANEWS
2 3
SOmEThINGABOUT...
The recent cases of African swine fever (ASF) confirmed in
countries of the European Union and Russia concern the sector for
the effects they could have on the European and international
markets.
The first confirmed cases of ASF in Europe appeared in January
in the county of Alytus in Lithuania. After twenty wild boars were
found dead, it was confirmed that two of them were affected by
African swine fever. Still on EU territory, two cases of wild boar
infected by ASF were confirmed in Poland in February. On the other
hand, at the end of January, the Ukrainian veterinary authorities
informed the OIE about an outbreak of African swine fever on a farm
in the Lugansk region, in the east of the
country, near the Russian frontier. Five cases were confirmed
among the twenty-six pigs on the farm. Finally, Russia also
reported a new focus of ASF on a breeder farm in Shchekinsky. There
were 57,047 animals in danger of being affected by African swine
fever on this farm, and by the end of January, 370 cases had been
confirmed.
While Russia closed its borders to all pig meat from the
European Union as soon as the cases in Lithuania came to light, the
European Commission established a list of restricted areas
regarding swine fever in that country and published a set of
restrictions for member countries aimed at avoiding the spread of
the disease.
GLOBALpIG
Calots, a
good sauCe
and the porr
full of wine,
the basiC
ingredients
for a good
Calotada
Rotecnas commitment to innovation and its insistence on always
seeking an efficient response to the livestock farmers needs means
that, despite the current context of economic difficulties, 2013
has been the firms best. A good year, shown not only by the
turnover figures, but also by the large investments the company has
made.
During 2013, Rotecna made a strong commitment for the future by
investing more than two million euros to acquire a large injection
machine and adapting its facilities accordingly. This investment
was done with the positive tendency of the company in mind, and to
ensure the R&D department has no limits when thinking up and
designing new products.
The growth of Rotecna, with a rise in demand and volume of
production during 2013, also led the company to invest in an
extension to its facilities at the end of the year, with the
acquisition of buildings next to the current production plant. This
way, Rotecna has extended the area of the plant by 15,000 square
metres to a total of over 35,000. Moreover, with the purchase and
adaptation
of the new installations, the area dedicated to production has
risen from 12,800 to 16,500 square metres.
The increase in demand and the good prospects for the future
allowed us to take on more staff during 2013. The number of
employees rose from 105 to the 130 currently working in the company
to cover the new production needs. In this sense, it must also be
kept in mind that the good evolution of Rotecna also benefits the
companies we work with occasionally or regularly and thus
stimulates the creation of indirect jobs.
Exports
During 2013, the export market continued to be the main outlet
for Rotecna products and these are now present in over 80
countries. In that sense, Rotecna works with farmers all over the
world, with an important presence in Europe and South America.
However, our market share is becoming consolidated in such
countries as the United States, the Republic of South Africa,
Singapore and Japan.
2013, a good Year for roteCna
In their speeches to the staff at Rotecnas Christmas
celebrations, the president Gener Romeu and the manager
Amable Izquierdo emphasised the good results from 2013 and
the encouraging perspectives for the company for 2014. They
congratulated all the team at Rotecna for their good work.
The calotada is a typical gastronomic event in Catalonia whose
origins lie in the town of Valls (Tarragona), where the Gran Festa
de la Calotada is held every January. However, in recent decades,
its popularity has spread all over the country and nowadays, it is
easy to find calots (tender onion shoots) to eat anywhere in
Catalonia.
The origins of the calot
The calot was discovered at the end of the 19th century by a
peasant farmer from Valls known as Xat de Benaiges, who began to
grill the tender shoots of old onions on charcoal. It was also he
who invented the sauce that, with some variations, is still eaten
today.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the calotada became a
habitual meal for many families in Valls on feast
days. However, the great rise in the calotada can be dated from
the mid 20th century, when the Penya Artstica de lOlla organised
calotades and invited personalities from the artistic and cultural
circles of Barcelona, who then helped to popularise the festival.
Nowadays, the calotada of Valls has grown in popularity and become
a meal that can be found in many restaurants in Catalonia in the
early months of the year.
Growing the calot
The process of growing the calot begins at the end of the year,
when the seeds of a specific variety of onion, the white one, are
sown. We can skip this first phase by going straight to a nursery
to buy this kind of onion.
Then, when summer comes, we have to replant the onions.
According to
farmers, its better to plant them under a full moon. After three
or four weeks, the shoots will have grown and that is when we have
to calar the onions. This means banking or covering them with
earth. It is important that, as the onions grow, they must be kept
covered with earth. This has to be done three or four times until
they are harvested, usually between January and April.
The secret of the authentic calot possibly lies in the land
round Valls. The characteristics of the water, climate, soil and
the composition of the soil of the Alt Camp district mean that the
best calots with the Protected Geograph ic Indication, IGP Calots
de Valls, grow there.
How do you do a calotada?The basic elements for a calotada are
the calots with the sauce, as well as meat, mainly llonganissa
sausage and black pudding, that are cooked on the charcoal left
over after grilling the calots.
The ritual begins with preparing the calots. This consists of
cutting the green leaves half way up and then the roots, without
cutting the body of the calots, which are then placed on grills
over a lively fire. The grills with the calots have to be turned a
couple of times while cooking. When they are cooked, in other
words, soft at the end and black on the outside, they are wrapped
up together in newspaper to keep them hot.
As they have to be eaten hot, the calots are served on the table
still
wrapped in the newspaper and, according to the tradition, placed
on a roof tile. The guests, each wearing a bib to avoid getting
dirty, and with a bowl of sauce to dip them in, can start to eat.
Calots are traditionally eaten standing up and with 20 to 35 per
person.
As mentioned, every calotada is accompanied by a good sauce,
which each cook puts their own personal touch to. However, the main
ingredients for four people are: 100 grams of toasted almonds, 30
grams of toasted hazelnuts, 4 or 5 roasted red tomatoes, 1 roasted
head of garlic, 80 cl of olive oil, 1/2 a glass of vinegar, 1 dry
pepper or sweet red pepper, parsley and salt. All this finely
chopped in a blender or mortar.
the Calotada: a Catalan
gastronomiC feast
Images: Snia Valls. Images of the Great Calotada Festival held
in Valls on the 26th of January.
2013 was a good year for the worldwide pig industry. According
to figures from Rabobank, the average value of the index of pork
prices for the five countries that use it (Brazil, China, the
United States, Canada and the European Union), was 151, a rise of
10% over 2012, and the highest level in the past five years.
According to the first quarterly report for 2014, the outlook is
for stable prices for pig meat on a world level, both for the
remains of this quarter and the next. This, combined with lower
feed costs, will be positive for the margins of the farmers,
despite the possible impact of the presence of the Porcine Epidemic
Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) on the markets in the United States, Canada
and Mexico.
For the European Union, the forecasts of Rabobank for the first
half of the year are positive. The lower feed costs and ongoing
high price levels mean good margins for the farmers. This is due to
a slight rise in pork production helped by the continuous rise in
productivity and consumption. Exports will remain stable or
slightly higher. However, we have yet to see what the impact of the
cases of ASF detected in Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and Russia will
be.
On the other hand, pork imports into Japan fell by 10.9% between
January and November, due principally to the depreciation of the
yen, while the market for pork in Korea has returned to the
situation prior to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in
2009.
rabobanK foreCasts few Changes in pig priCes in 2014
afriCan swine feVer in lithuania, poland, uKraine and russia
Source: Rabobank.
-
2TEChNOLOGYTEChNOLOGY
54
View to RotecnaTV channelA Belgian farm, founded in 1924, places
its
confidence in Rotecna products to adapt
its installations to the new animal welfare
legislation.
In this edition of Rotecna World we continue talking about the
importance of creating optimum conditions of temperature,
environment and handling in the farrowing phase to favour the
productivity of the sows and guarantee the good development and
growth of the piglets in the early days of their lives. With this
in mind, in 2013, Rotecna created the Ni-2 covers designed
exclusively to give an effective response to the producers needs in
the farrowing room. It allows the farmers to keep the temperature
in the room for the sows between 16 and 20 degrees, and create a
microclimate for the piglets inside the nests of between 30 and 34
degrees. Bear in mind that 70-80% of piglet deaths occur in the 72
hours after birth, due to crushing, but the primary cause is hunger
and cold. Thus the importance of creating an adequate microclimate
in the area for the piglets.
On this occasion, we have travelled to Belgium to a farm founded
in 1924 in Beveren, to see the good performance of the Rotecna Ni-2
in situ. The Smet farm is a traditional family-run business that,
with the new animal welfare normative, not only has adapted its
installations to the new requirements, but has also extended them,
and has done so with Rotecna products. Among these, they have
installed the Ni-2 Mobile in the farrowing rooms to be able to
create two microclimates adapted to the needs of the piglets and
the sows as efficiently as possible.
What are the origins of the Smet farm?
We have to go back to 1924, when my grandparents set up this
farm in Beveren, near Antwerp. A few decades later, my father took
over the business and when I was old enough, I decided to follow
his footsteps and continue the family line. So, I started to run
the farm in 1990 and now I am gradually handing over to my son,
Glenn, who has finished his studies in the agricultural
college.
Marc, what were your early years as a farmer like?
I am the third generation of a farming family, so I grew up in
this world. However, I remember that everything was much easier in
my first years in charge of the farm. Nowadays, things have
changed, and everything is more complicated with the new
legislation on animal welfare and the environment.
How are the family involved in the business?
Currently, there is me, my wife, Marleen, and my son, Glenn,
running the business. We have two daughters, aged 17 and 22, who
are studying, but they also muck in on the farm at weekends and
during holidays.
Do you trust in there being a new generation?
We will see if there will be a fifth generation on the Smet
farm. After all, Glenn has just started, so it is still early to
talk about the future. For the
moment, the fourth generation on the farm is guaranteed.
How has the farm evolved since you took over?
I took over from my father in 1990. We then had 150 sows and 700
finishing pigs. I soon increased these numbers to 300 sows and 900
places for finishing. Ten years later, in 2000, we invested in
installations to combine green corn cob silage (CCM) with the
weaning and finishing feeds and gradually increasing the size of
the farm, reaching 500 sows, 1,500 weaning places and 2,800
finishing pigs in 2004. A few months ago, we added another
extension and have reached 750 sows, 2,200 weaners and 5,000 places
for finishing. We also have to add another 1,500 places for
finishing in integrated farms. So, I can say that we have increased
the size of the farm by 80% in 24 years.
What market do you send your production to?
Most of our production goes to the Belgian market, although a
part is exported, our pigs being very highly valued on external
markets. Moreover, you have to bear in mind that Belgium produces
twice as much pork as is needed to supply the local population.
A year after the application of the animal welfare legislation,
what changes have you made to your installations?
On one hand, we have made changes in the accommodation of
the
pregnant sows, which are now housed in mechanical boxes with an
outlet and have more space, in line with the legislation. Also, on
the new farm, we have installed a biological unit to renew the air,
which has enabled us to reduce the level of ammoniac by 70% and
lower the levels of dust and smell.
Recently, you have extended your farm. Among the products you
installed are the Ni-2 Mobile, the Feeding Ball and the VRH-3
Valve, all from Rotecna. What made you choose these?
Nowadays, there is a clear tendency in Belgium towards improving
the installations of the farms with the aim of reducing energy
costs. We have decided to follow this same philosophy and invest in
equipment that lets us cut down on our energy consumption. That is
why one of the products we decided to install was the Ni-2 by
Rotecna, which helps to make microclimates in the farrowing pens,
reducing heat losses from the piglets by preventing draughts. The
reason for installing these covers is to be able work during birth
at 28 degrees inside the nest and 22 in the room, temperatures that
we gradually reduce to 24 degrees in the nest and 19 in the room.
This way, as well as saving energy, we generate a microclimate for
the piglets and a comfortable temperature for the sows, and this
means higher productivity. We also decided to install the Feeding
Ball with the VRH-3 Valve in the farrowing pens to ensure that the
sows ate and drank more.
with the ni-2, we hope to reduCe our annual heating bill for the
farrowing pens bY between 40% and 50%
marC smet pig farm:
What benefits have you derived from installing the Ni-2 Mobile
in these first months of use?
The truth is that is has fulfilled our expectations. In our
case, we installed a sensor in a couple of nests to monitor and
regulate the desired temperature of the heating plates
automatically through the ventilation computer. This way, if we
bear in mind that, as the piglets grow, they generate more body
heat and, thanks to the Ni-2 covers, this concentrates in the area
of the microclimate, we can gradually lower the temperature of the
hydraulic panels and thus achieve an optimum temperature while also
reducing energy consumption. Then, this summer, we plan to switch
on the heating panels one of the four week when the piglets are in
farrowing and take advantage of the microclimate that is created
inside the nest, thanks to the good insulation provided by the
plastic panels and the Ni-2. Another aspect to take into account is
that with the Ni-2, we have stopped using the infrared lamps that
consumed 100 watts. All together, with the Rotecna Ni-2 we expect
to reduce our annual consumption for heating the farrowing pens by
between 40% and 50%. And if that is what really happens, we
calculate that the investment in the nests will pay for itself in a
few months.
Regarding the gains in productivity, thanks to the possibility
of reducing the temperature in the rooms without affecting the
piglets, the sows will feel better, eat and drink more, and this
will make them produce more milk. Then, if the sows produce more
milk, the piglets will be better fed and put on weight faster. At
the same time, increasing the piglets protection from draughts
reduces their heat losses and improves their growth, especially
among the smallest ones. This has allowed us to decrease the
death rate to an average of 0.5 piglets as diminishing the harmful
effects of draughts on the newly born means they survive their
first days better. These improvements are the main reasons I
decided to buy the Ni-2 by Rotecna.
Do you use the LED light that can be attached to the Rotecna
Ni-2?
Yes. And, in this time we also have realised that the Ni-2 LED
light works well to attract the piglets after birth. We compared
this with some pens that did not have LED lights and it was clear
that, without these, the piglets took much longer to find the nest.
On the other hand, leaving the LEDs on lets us enter the farrowing
pens with the room lights off without bothering the sows, and thus
we can avoid some piglets being crushed to death.
And what advantages would you highlight from the Feeding Ball
with the VRH-3 Valve?
The combination of these two products has not only met our
expectations, but I would say, it has exceeded them. It is
spectacular how the sows eat and drink. We have noted a very great
difference. The sows now eat between one and two kilos more per day
from the second week after birth and with a higher proportion of
water. Moreover, thanks to the Feeding Ball system, there is less
waste of feed. Another advantage is the fact that the tube-shaped
tank is transparent, which makes it easier to check the feed. We
can see at a glance which sows have eaten and which havent.
What other Rotecna products have you installed on your farm?
Many. Among these, I have chosen your range of automatic systems
for feed distribution with the chain and screw systems. In
gestation and mating, we have installed the FOUR dispenser, and in
the farrowing pens, the Simplex D-2 dispenser. On the other hand,
we have also acquired Rotecna floors. In this, we were hesitating
between plastic and cast iron slats to put under the mothers, but
after long discussions, we took the advice of the vet and other
farmers who had invested in cast iron. Other Rotecna products we
have installed that I want to mention are the drinking bowls for
the piglets in farrowing, the swing drinker with the VRH-3 valve,
the TR-4 feeder in weaning and the PVC dividers in farrowing and
weaning.
With all the investments you have done in improvements, what do
you think is the future for the Belgian pig sector?
I believe in the future of the sector in Belgium, but only if it
produces with better installations, better genetics and good animal
health. And to all this, I would add the passion the farmer should
put into what he does.
this waY, as well as saVing energY, we generate a miCroClimate
for the piglets and a Comfortable temperature for the sows, and
this means higher produCtiVitY.
TECHNICAL DETAILSLocation: Beveren / Built: 1924 / Latest
reforms: 2014
FARROWINGProductive sows: 775Number of boars: detection boars
3Type of insemination: Artificial Farrowing places: farrowing
crates 151Rate of replacement of sows per year: 40%Frequency de la
banda: weeks 4Litters per sow per year: 2.42Piglets born per
litter: 15.2Live piglets per litter: 15Piglets weaned per sow per
year: 30.2Weaning age: days 24Average weaning weight: 6.1
kgWEANINGPlaces for weaning: 2,200Average weight at start of
weaning: 6.1 kgAverage weight at end of weaning: 20.2 kgNumber of
batches: 30FINISHINGPlaces for finishing: 6,500Average weight at
start of finishing: 23 kgAverage weight at end of finishing: 115
kgAverage sales price per kilo of live weight 2013: euros/kg
1.24
View of the disposition in farrowing pens of 190 cm.The heated
plates and Ni-2 are the key to energy saving in the farm.
Marc Smet and his wife begin generational shift in their son
Glen, who will take charge of the family farm founded 90 years
ago.
-
2TEChNOLOGYTEChNOLOGY
54
View to RotecnaTV channelA Belgian farm, founded in 1924, places
its
confidence in Rotecna products to adapt
its installations to the new animal welfare
legislation.
In this edition of Rotecna World we continue talking about the
importance of creating optimum conditions of temperature,
environment and handling in the farrowing phase to favour the
productivity of the sows and guarantee the good development and
growth of the piglets in the early days of their lives. With this
in mind, in 2013, Rotecna created the Ni-2 covers designed
exclusively to give an effective response to the producers needs in
the farrowing room. It allows the farmers to keep the temperature
in the room for the sows between 16 and 20 degrees, and create a
microclimate for the piglets inside the nests of between 30 and 34
degrees. Bear in mind that 70-80% of piglet deaths occur in the 72
hours after birth, due to crushing, but the primary cause is hunger
and cold. Thus the importance of creating an adequate microclimate
in the area for the piglets.
On this occasion, we have travelled to Belgium to a farm founded
in 1924 in Beveren, to see the good performance of the Rotecna Ni-2
in situ. The Smet farm is a traditional family-run business that,
with the new animal welfare normative, not only has adapted its
installations to the new requirements, but has also extended them,
and has done so with Rotecna products. Among these, they have
installed the Ni-2 Mobile in the farrowing rooms to be able to
create two microclimates adapted to the needs of the piglets and
the sows as efficiently as possible.
What are the origins of the Smet farm?
We have to go back to 1924, when my grandparents set up this
farm in Beveren, near Antwerp. A few decades later, my father took
over the business and when I was old enough, I decided to follow
his footsteps and continue the family line. So, I started to run
the farm in 1990 and now I am gradually handing over to my son,
Glenn, who has finished his studies in the agricultural
college.
Marc, what were your early years as a farmer like?
I am the third generation of a farming family, so I grew up in
this world. However, I remember that everything was much easier in
my first years in charge of the farm. Nowadays, things have
changed, and everything is more complicated with the new
legislation on animal welfare and the environment.
How are the family involved in the business?
Currently, there is me, my wife, Marleen, and my son, Glenn,
running the business. We have two daughters, aged 17 and 22, who
are studying, but they also muck in on the farm at weekends and
during holidays.
Do you trust in there being a new generation?
We will see if there will be a fifth generation on the Smet
farm. After all, Glenn has just started, so it is still early to
talk about the future. For the
moment, the fourth generation on the farm is guaranteed.
How has the farm evolved since you took over?
I took over from my father in 1990. We then had 150 sows and 700
finishing pigs. I soon increased these numbers to 300 sows and 900
places for finishing. Ten years later, in 2000, we invested in
installations to combine green corn cob silage (CCM) with the
weaning and finishing feeds and gradually increasing the size of
the farm, reaching 500 sows, 1,500 weaning places and 2,800
finishing pigs in 2004. A few months ago, we added another
extension and have reached 750 sows, 2,200 weaners and 5,000 places
for finishing. We also have to add another 1,500 places for
finishing in integrated farms. So, I can say that we have increased
the size of the farm by 80% in 24 years.
What market do you send your production to?
Most of our production goes to the Belgian market, although a
part is exported, our pigs being very highly valued on external
markets. Moreover, you have to bear in mind that Belgium produces
twice as much pork as is needed to supply the local population.
A year after the application of the animal welfare legislation,
what changes have you made to your installations?
On one hand, we have made changes in the accommodation of
the
pregnant sows, which are now housed in mechanical boxes with an
outlet and have more space, in line with the legislation. Also, on
the new farm, we have installed a biological unit to renew the air,
which has enabled us to reduce the level of ammoniac by 70% and
lower the levels of dust and smell.
Recently, you have extended your farm. Among the products you
installed are the Ni-2 Mobile, the Feeding Ball and the VRH-3
Valve, all from Rotecna. What made you choose these?
Nowadays, there is a clear tendency in Belgium towards improving
the installations of the farms with the aim of reducing energy
costs. We have decided to follow this same philosophy and invest in
equipment that lets us cut down on our energy consumption. That is
why one of the products we decided to install was the Ni-2 by
Rotecna, which helps to make microclimates in the farrowing pens,
reducing heat losses from the piglets by preventing draughts. The
reason for installing these covers is to be able work during birth
at 28 degrees inside the nest and 22 in the room, temperatures that
we gradually reduce to 24 degrees in the nest and 19 in the room.
This way, as well as saving energy, we generate a microclimate for
the piglets and a comfortable temperature for the sows, and this
means higher productivity. We also decided to install the Feeding
Ball with the VRH-3 Valve in the farrowing pens to ensure that the
sows ate and drank more.
with the ni-2, we hope to reduCe our annual heating bill for the
farrowing pens bY between 40% and 50%
marC smet pig farm:
What benefits have you derived from installing the Ni-2 Mobile
in these first months of use?
The truth is that is has fulfilled our expectations. In our
case, we installed a sensor in a couple of nests to monitor and
regulate the desired temperature of the heating plates
automatically through the ventilation computer. This way, if we
bear in mind that, as the piglets grow, they generate more body
heat and, thanks to the Ni-2 covers, this concentrates in the area
of the microclimate, we can gradually lower the temperature of the
hydraulic panels and thus achieve an optimum temperature while also
reducing energy consumption. Then, this summer, we plan to switch
on the heating panels one of the four week when the piglets are in
farrowing and take advantage of the microclimate that is created
inside the nest, thanks to the good insulation provided by the
plastic panels and the Ni-2. Another aspect to take into account is
that with the Ni-2, we have stopped using the infrared lamps that
consumed 100 watts. All together, with the Rotecna Ni-2 we expect
to reduce our annual consumption for heating the farrowing pens by
between 40% and 50%. And if that is what really happens, we
calculate that the investment in the nests will pay for itself in a
few months.
Regarding the gains in productivity, thanks to the possibility
of reducing the temperature in the rooms without affecting the
piglets, the sows will feel better, eat and drink more, and this
will make them produce more milk. Then, if the sows produce more
milk, the piglets will be better fed and put on weight faster. At
the same time, increasing the piglets protection from draughts
reduces their heat losses and improves their growth, especially
among the smallest ones. This has allowed us to decrease the
death rate to an average of 0.5 piglets as diminishing the harmful
effects of draughts on the newly born means they survive their
first days better. These improvements are the main reasons I
decided to buy the Ni-2 by Rotecna.
Do you use the LED light that can be attached to the Rotecna
Ni-2?
Yes. And, in this time we also have realised that the Ni-2 LED
light works well to attract the piglets after birth. We compared
this with some pens that did not have LED lights and it was clear
that, without these, the piglets took much longer to find the nest.
On the other hand, leaving the LEDs on lets us enter the farrowing
pens with the room lights off without bothering the sows, and thus
we can avoid some piglets being crushed to death.
And what advantages would you highlight from the Feeding Ball
with the VRH-3 Valve?
The combination of these two products has not only met our
expectations, but I would say, it has exceeded them. It is
spectacular how the sows eat and drink. We have noted a very great
difference. The sows now eat between one and two kilos more per day
from the second week after birth and with a higher proportion of
water. Moreover, thanks to the Feeding Ball system, there is less
waste of feed. Another advantage is the fact that the tube-shaped
tank is transparent, which makes it easier to check the feed. We
can see at a glance which sows have eaten and which havent.
What other Rotecna products have you installed on your farm?
Many. Among these, I have chosen your range of automatic systems
for feed distribution with the chain and screw systems. In
gestation and mating, we have installed the FOUR dispenser, and in
the farrowing pens, the Simplex D-2 dispenser. On the other hand,
we have also acquired Rotecna floors. In this, we were hesitating
between plastic and cast iron slats to put under the mothers, but
after long discussions, we took the advice of the vet and other
farmers who had invested in cast iron. Other Rotecna products we
have installed that I want to mention are the drinking bowls for
the piglets in farrowing, the swing drinker with the VRH-3 valve,
the TR-4 feeder in weaning and the PVC dividers in farrowing and
weaning.
With all the investments you have done in improvements, what do
you think is the future for the Belgian pig sector?
I believe in the future of the sector in Belgium, but only if it
produces with better installations, better genetics and good animal
health. And to all this, I would add the passion the farmer should
put into what he does.
this waY, as well as saVing energY, we generate a miCroClimate
for the piglets and a Comfortable temperature for the sows, and
this means higher produCtiVitY.
TECHNICAL DETAILSLocation: Beveren / Built: 1924 / Latest
reforms: 2014
FARROWINGProductive sows: 775Number of boars: detection boars
3Type of insemination: Artificial Farrowing places: farrowing
crates 151Rate of replacement of sows per year: 40%Frequency de la
banda: weeks 4Litters per sow per year: 2.42Piglets born per
litter: 15.2Live piglets per litter: 15Piglets weaned per sow per
year: 30.2Weaning age: days 24Average weaning weight: 6.1
kgWEANINGPlaces for weaning: 2,200Average weight at start of
weaning: 6.1 kgAverage weight at end of weaning: 20.2 kgNumber of
batches: 30FINISHINGPlaces for finishing: 6,500Average weight at
start of finishing: 23 kgAverage weight at end of finishing: 115
kgAverage sales price per kilo of live weight 2013: euros/kg
1.24
View of the disposition in farrowing pens of 190 cm.The heated
plates and Ni-2 are the key to energy saving in the farm.
Marc Smet and his wife begin generational shift in their son
Glen, who will take charge of the family farm founded 90 years
ago.
-
76
TEChNOLOGYpIGpRODUCTIONIN...
An increase in the domestic consumption of pork and exports are
the keys for the growth of the pig sector in Argentina. This is the
result of a report by the INTA, the Argentinean National Institute
of Agricultural Technology, according to which pig production in
Argentina is treading a path of opportunities.
Domestic consumption
The annual consumption of pork in Argentina reached 8.6 kilos
per head in 2012, an increase of 70% over the last ten years. These
figures show a rising tendency for pork consumption in the country.
Moreover, the estimates by the pig group at the INTA for 2020 are
for a rise from 8 to 14 kilos of meat per person per year, which
will allow the production of pigs to rise to over 8 million head
(2012: 3.5 million) and meat production to over 700 thousand tons
(2012: 331,000 Tn). Along with these increases in consumption and
production, imports of pork into Argentina are falling. During
2012, over 30,000 tons were imported, mainly from Brazil and Chile,
a drop of 45% compared with the year before.
External market
The worlds leading exporters of pork meat are the United States,
the European Union, Canada and Brazil. In this context, Argentina
produces 0.32% of the worlds pork and generates 0.09% of the volume
of exports at a global level. However, the country exported almost
7,000 tons of pork products, according to data for 2012, an
increase of 30% over the previous year. Moreover, this positive
tendency is expected to continue over the coming decades thanks to
Argentinas capacity to produce large amounts of
grain to hold production costs down. Argentine is expected to
export 70,000 tons of products in 2020 to a value of over 115
millions Euros.
Production Costs
Argentina has some of the lowest costs in the world. According
to the Argentinean Association of Pig Producers (AAAP), the base
for feed for pigs is concentrated on maize and soya, and these
represent between 75% and 90% of livestock feed. Although Argentina
only produces 0.32% of the worlds pork, it has a large capacity for
producing raw materials, which puts it among the countries with the
lowest production costs, to which we must add the excellent health
status that increases the countrys potentialities in this sector.
Thus, grain production will be one of the future keys for pig
production in Argentina and its competitiveness at the global
level.
Occupation
Among the main attractions of the growth of the pig sector in
Argentina is the capacity it will have for generating employment.
The sector currently employs 12,000 people in the primary sector,
while there are another 20,300 indirect jobs in industry and
services, giving a total of 32,300 workers in the pig sector. If
the estimated production levels for 2020 are reached, this figure
would rise to 50,450 jobs, distributed across the phases the sector
covers, which would mean 18,000 new jobs.
Productive efficiency
On the other hand, as well as these opportunities for growth,
the pig
sector in Argentina also has to face a series of challenges.
Among these is a need for an increase in efficiency in production.
In this sense, it is calculated that only 39% of the farms use
closed production systems, with an average productivity of 20
piglets per sow per year. In contrast, the majority of farms, 61%,
have the sows in open-
air or mixed production systems with productivity per sow per
year of between 10 and 14 piglets. It is precisely this second and
most widespread system that will have to be improved to an average
productivity of 18 piglets per sow and year to reach the estimated
production of 8 millions head of pigs in 2020.
Waste management
Finally, another important challenge for the pig sector in
Argentina is to acquire the means to transform the animal waste
into a source of energy and fertilisers. During a conference on
waste management, one of the technicians at the INTA, Nicols Sosa,
stated that the application of organic residues to the soil is
the
most economic method, and one of the best examples of recycling
nutrients. At the same time, the waste must be treated to avoid
environmental damage. Thus the importance of being aware that
inadequate handling of waste implies a loss of energy and nutrients
and also environmental degradation.
In the specific case of pig waste, the basic problematic
revolves around a production system that is confinement, which
covers about 40 % of the activity in Argentina. As well as the
waste from the animals, the activity requires large quantities of
water for cleaning and for the pits that hold the faeces and urine.
For example, a farrowing farm with 100 sows has an monthly average
of 1,000 pigs and around 20 thousand litres of slurry per day.
However, without rational use of water, this figure could double.
That is why, faced with the high volume of water that Argentinean
pig production requires, it is necessary to ensure that this meets
the conditions that the environmental regulations establish for
dumping in natural streams, using it for irrigation or reusing it
on the farm itself.
pig farming in argentina, a booming seCtor
A report from the INTA analyses the situation of
Argentinean pig farming, its opportunities and
challenges.
Prod
uctio
n (M
)
GRAPHIC - PRODUCTION (t) AND CONSUMPTION
4000 8
cons
umpt
ion kg
/ pe
rson /
year
3500 7
3000 6
2500 5
2000 4
1500 3
1000 2
500 1
0 092 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
YearSOURCE: INTA
ProductionConsumption person
SWING R3 DUOSWING R3 WETSWING R3 TUBE
TECHNICAL DETAILS SWING R3 TUBE WEANINGSWING R3 TUBE
FINISHINGN animals per feeder: 30-50 30-50Weight of animals: 6
30 kg 20 120 kgFeed capacity: 95 litres 95 litresFilling height:
125 cm 125 cmDiameter of the feeder: 57 cm 57 cmLength of pan: 70
cm 70 cmWidth of pan: 35 cm 50 cmHeight of pan: 8 cm 12 cm
NEW ADVANTAGES
Better-sized pan adapted to the requirements of each phase of
growth.
Less wastage of feed.
100% stainless steel pan.
Lighter, making it easier to transport and handle.
PANS TUBE WEANINGTUBE
FINISHINGTUBE
POLIMER WET DUO
STAINLESS STEEL -
POLIMER - - - -
1 LEVEL (WET) - - - * -
2 LEVELS (DRY) * * - *
WEANING * - * * *
FINISHING - * * * *
WEAN TO FINISH - * * * *
Comparative table about characteristics of the pans in the 5
models of Swing R3 Tube.
35 cm50 cm
FINISHING WEANING
12 cm8 cm
SWING R3 TUBE
WEANING FINISHING
Source: INTA
WEANING - FINISHING - WEAN TO FINISH
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SWING R3 FEEDERS
Its mono-block design makes it robust and easy to install.
Reinforced side panels make it more stable and resistant to use
with heavier animals.
Inclined loading inlet. Easy to fill and clean.
Wide variety of plates, to meet the requirements of all
farmers.
Two lateral drinkers.
Rounded angles and no corners to avoid the accumulation of
feed.
Two systems for making the food drop: pendulum and tube.
Easy learning, even for the smallest piglets.
Very precise regulation, with 24 positions.
The aim is that the most demanding farmer can attend more
precisely and effectively to the animals in each phase of their
development. The most appropriate model of feeder must be selected
for the needs of the farm to obtain the highest possible efficiency
and profitability.
What is achieved with these two new models?
The new Swing R3 Tube for weaning has been developed around the
characteristics of the animals it is designed for (from 6 to 30
kg). It is narrower and lower to facilitate access for the smallest
piglets. They can operate the feed-drop mechanism without having to
go into the bowl, thus avoiding waste of feed and helping them to
learn.
On the other hand, the design of the new Swing R3 Tube for
fattening has been developed around the characteristics of the
animals in the finishing phase (from 20 to 120 kg). The size of
this pan is designed for these animals. It is much wider so they
can activate the feed-drop mechanism with a rooting movement,
comfortably and naturally. The height of the pan has been
substantially increased to give it greater feed capacity without
the animals wasting it.
Shared characteristics
In both cases, the pan is 100% stainless steel; the new
dimensions mean it is longer to allow more animals to reach it at
the same time. It is designed in two levels to keep the
feed separate from the water: a central place for the meal and
two lateral drinkers.
The pan in polymer. The all-in-one option
Finally, the Swing R3 Tube maintains its model with a polymer
pan designed for those farms whose characteristics mean that it is
more profitable to choose a single product for all three phases:
weaning, finishing and wean to finish.
The three models for the Swing R3 Tube are characterised by the
feed drop system. The Tube system ends in a rotating ring that
moves vertically with the graduation to increase or reduce the
amount of feed that drops.
The farmer chooses
The large range of Swing R3 feeders retains the characteristics
that have given such good results since it was launched on the
market. The feeders meet the requirements of the animals in this
phase of growth as well as offering the farmer easy handling.
Knowing their specific requirements, the farmers can select the
most
adequate product for their farms from the range that Rotecna
make available.
2014 sees an extension to the Swing R3 range of feeders.
Rotecna launches two new stainless-steel pans for the Swing
R3 Tube: specifically for weaning and finishing. Until now,
this
feeder had a single polymer pan on two levels, appropriate
for
use in all phases: weaning, finishing and Wean to finish.
The sizes of the new pans for the Swing R3 Tube are adapted
to
the physical characteristics of the animals in each of the
phases they are designed for.
two new pans for weaning & finishing:a pan for eaCh
phase.
swing r3 tube is born, grows and multiplies
SWING R3 TUBE FINISHING
SWING R3 TUBE WEANING
-
76
TEChNOLOGYpIGpRODUCTIONIN...
An increase in the domestic consumption of pork and exports are
the keys for the growth of the pig sector in Argentina. This is the
result of a report by the INTA, the Argentinean National Institute
of Agricultural Technology, according to which pig production in
Argentina is treading a path of opportunities.
Domestic consumption
The annual consumption of pork in Argentina reached 8.6 kilos
per head in 2012, an increase of 70% over the last ten years. These
figures show a rising tendency for pork consumption in the country.
Moreover, the estimates by the pig group at the INTA for 2020 are
for a rise from 8 to 14 kilos of meat per person per year, which
will allow the production of pigs to rise to over 8 million head
(2012: 3.5 million) and meat production to over 700 thousand tons
(2012: 331,000 Tn). Along with these increases in consumption and
production, imports of pork into Argentina are falling. During
2012, over 30,000 tons were imported, mainly from Brazil and Chile,
a drop of 45% compared with the year before.
External market
The worlds leading exporters of pork meat are the United States,
the European Union, Canada and Brazil. In this context, Argentina
produces 0.32% of the worlds pork and generates 0.09% of the volume
of exports at a global level. However, the country exported almost
7,000 tons of pork products, according to data for 2012, an
increase of 30% over the previous year. Moreover, this positive
tendency is expected to continue over the coming decades thanks to
Argentinas capacity to produce large amounts of
grain to hold production costs down. Argentine is expected to
export 70,000 tons of products in 2020 to a value of over 115
millions Euros.
Production Costs
Argentina has some of the lowest costs in the world. According
to the Argentinean Association of Pig Producers (AAAP), the base
for feed for pigs is concentrated on maize and soya, and these
represent between 75% and 90% of livestock feed. Although Argentina
only produces 0.32% of the worlds pork, it has a large capacity for
producing raw materials, which puts it among the countries with the
lowest production costs, to which we must add the excellent health
status that increases the countrys potentialities in this sector.
Thus, grain production will be one of the future keys for pig
production in Argentina and its competitiveness at the global
level.
Occupation
Among the main attractions of the growth of the pig sector in
Argentina is the capacity it will have for generating employment.
The sector currently employs 12,000 people in the primary sector,
while there are another 20,300 indirect jobs in industry and
services, giving a total of 32,300 workers in the pig sector. If
the estimated production levels for 2020 are reached, this figure
would rise to 50,450 jobs, distributed across the phases the sector
covers, which would mean 18,000 new jobs.
Productive efficiency
On the other hand, as well as these opportunities for growth,
the pig
sector in Argentina also has to face a series of challenges.
Among these is a need for an increase in efficiency in production.
In this sense, it is calculated that only 39% of the farms use
closed production systems, with an average productivity of 20
piglets per sow per year. In contrast, the majority of farms, 61%,
have the sows in open-
air or mixed production systems with productivity per sow per
year of between 10 and 14 piglets. It is precisely this second and
most widespread system that will have to be improved to an average
productivity of 18 piglets per sow and year to reach the estimated
production of 8 millions head of pigs in 2020.
Waste management
Finally, another important challenge for the pig sector in
Argentina is to acquire the means to transform the animal waste
into a source of energy and fertilisers. During a conference on
waste management, one of the technicians at the INTA, Nicols Sosa,
stated that the application of organic residues to the soil is
the
most economic method, and one of the best examples of recycling
nutrients. At the same time, the waste must be treated to avoid
environmental damage. Thus the importance of being aware that
inadequate handling of waste implies a loss of energy and nutrients
and also environmental degradation.
In the specific case of pig waste, the basic problematic
revolves around a production system that is confinement, which
covers about 40 % of the activity in Argentina. As well as the
waste from the animals, the activity requires large quantities of
water for cleaning and for the pits that hold the faeces and urine.
For example, a farrowing farm with 100 sows has an monthly average
of 1,000 pigs and around 20 thousand litres of slurry per day.
However, without rational use of water, this figure could double.
That is why, faced with the high volume of water that Argentinean
pig production requires, it is necessary to ensure that this meets
the conditions that the environmental regulations establish for
dumping in natural streams, using it for irrigation or reusing it
on the farm itself.
pig farming in argentina, a booming seCtor
A report from the INTA analyses the situation of
Argentinean pig farming, its opportunities and
challenges.
Prod
uctio
n (M
)
GRAPHIC - PRODUCTION (t) AND CONSUMPTION
4000 8
cons
umpt
ion kg
/ pe
rson /
year
3500 7
3000 6
2500 5
2000 4
1500 3
1000 2
500 1
0 092 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
YearSOURCE: INTA
ProductionConsumption person
SWING R3 DUOSWING R3 WETSWING R3 TUBE
TECHNICAL DETAILS SWING R3 TUBE WEANINGSWING R3 TUBE
FINISHINGN animals per feeder: 30-50 30-50Weight of animals: 6
30 kg 20 120 kgFeed capacity: 95 litres 95 litresFilling height:
125 cm 125 cmDiameter of the feeder: 57 cm 57 cmLength of pan: 70
cm 70 cmWidth of pan: 35 cm 50 cmHeight of pan: 8 cm 12 cm
NEW ADVANTAGES
Better-sized pan adapted to the requirements of each phase of
growth.
Less wastage of feed.
100% stainless steel pan.
Lighter, making it easier to transport and handle.
PANS TUBE WEANINGTUBE
FINISHINGTUBE
POLIMER WET DUO
STAINLESS STEEL -
POLIMER - - - -
1 LEVEL (WET) - - - * -
2 LEVELS (DRY) * * - *
WEANING * - * * *
FINISHING - * * * *
WEAN TO FINISH - * * * *
Comparative table about characteristics of the pans in the 5
models of Swing R3 Tube.
35 cm50 cm
FINISHING WEANING
12 cm8 cm
SWING R3 TUBE
WEANING FINISHING
Source: INTA
WEANING - FINISHING - WEAN TO FINISH
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SWING R3 FEEDERS
Its mono-block design makes it robust and easy to install.
Reinforced side panels make it more stable and resistant to use
with heavier animals.
Inclined loading inlet. Easy to fill and clean.
Wide variety of plates, to meet the requirements of all
farmers.
Two lateral drinkers.
Rounded angles and no corners to avoid the accumulation of
feed.
Two systems for making the food drop: pendulum and tube.
Easy learning, even for the smallest piglets.
Very precise regulation, with 24 positions.
The aim is that the most demanding farmer can attend more
precisely and effectively to the animals in each phase of their
development. The most appropriate model of feeder must be selected
for the needs of the farm to obtain the highest possible efficiency
and profitability.
What is achieved with these two new models?
The new Swing R3 Tube for weaning has been developed around the
characteristics of the animals it is designed for (from 6 to 30
kg). It is narrower and lower to facilitate access for the smallest
piglets. They can operate the feed-drop mechanism without having to
go into the bowl, thus avoiding waste of feed and helping them to
learn.
On the other hand, the design of the new Swing R3 Tube for
fattening has been developed around the characteristics of the
animals in the finishing phase (from 20 to 120 kg). The size of
this pan is designed for these animals. It is much wider so they
can activate the feed-drop mechanism with a rooting movement,
comfortably and naturally. The height of the pan has been
substantially increased to give it greater feed capacity without
the animals wasting it.
Shared characteristics
In both cases, the pan is 100% stainless steel; the new
dimensions mean it is longer to allow more animals to reach it at
the same time. It is designed in two levels to keep the
feed separate from the water: a central place for the meal and
two lateral drinkers.
The pan in polymer. The all-in-one option
Finally, the Swing R3 Tube maintains its model with a polymer
pan designed for those farms whose characteristics mean that it is
more profitable to choose a single product for all three phases:
weaning, finishing and wean to finish.
The three models for the Swing R3 Tube are characterised by the
feed drop system. The Tube system ends in a rotating ring that
moves vertically with the graduation to increase or reduce the
amount of feed that drops.
The farmer chooses
The large range of Swing R3 feeders retains the characteristics
that have given such good results since it was launched on the
market. The feeders meet the requirements of the animals in this
phase of growth as well as offering the farmer easy handling.
Knowing their specific requirements, the farmers can select the
most
adequate product for their farms from the range that Rotecna
make available.
2014 sees an extension to the Swing R3 range of feeders.
Rotecna launches two new stainless-steel pans for the Swing
R3 Tube: specifically for weaning and finishing. Until now,
this
feeder had a single polymer pan on two levels, appropriate
for
use in all phases: weaning, finishing and Wean to finish.
The sizes of the new pans for the Swing R3 Tube are adapted
to
the physical characteristics of the animals in each of the
phases they are designed for.
two new pans for weaning & finishing:a pan for eaCh
phase.
swing r3 tube is born, grows and multiplies
SWING R3 TUBE FINISHING
SWING R3 TUBE WEANING
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ThE mOST ExTENSIVE RANGE OF pRODUCTS FOR pIG EQUIpmENT
PVC
PVC PROFILES (50,25,10 cm)CLOSE PVC PEN DIVIDERSOPEN PVC PEN
DIVIDERSDOORSFAST LOCK BRACKETSU BRACKETSSOLID GRIP
CHAIN AND DISK SYSTEM
Shock absorbing teeth system. Easy adjustable chain tensioning
system with graduation scale. Corners with easy aperture system.
Silo extraction system with an agitator.
ZINC-PLATED STEEL CHAIN50 / 60
NITRURATED CARBON CHAIN50 / 60
CORNER50 / 60
DRINKING BOWLS & VR-H VALVE
VRH-3SWING DRINKEREASY DRINKER DUOEASY DRIKER MINIEASY DRIKER
MIDI
DISPENSERS
CLUTCH DISPENSERDOSIMATICSIMPLEX D-2FOURCLUTCH ADAPTER
LINESIMPLEX ADAPTER LINEDISPENSER OUTLET ADAPTER
DROP KITS55 / 75 / 90
AUGERS55 / 75 / 90
AUGER SYSTEMThe silo outlet system consist of a silo boot, a
transfer unit and a slide gate assembly that allows horizontal and
inclined installation.
MOTORES CON UNIDAD DE CONTROL
PANS
MAXI PANMAXI HOPPER PANMAXITAINER for MAXI PANTECNA PAN
initiation panEASY PAN initiation panMINI PANMINI HOPPER
PANMINITAINER
FEEDERS
GROW FEEDER MAXIGROW FEEDER MINISOW FEEDERSWING R3 DUOSWING R3
WETSWING R3 TUBETR2 FEEDERTR5 FEEDERSSOW BOWLFEEDING BALL
FLOOR
DELTA BEAM PROFILET PROFILEDELTA NET SYSTEMERGOFIXBASIC POST
BEAMCLICK-IN
SLATS
WEANERBLIND PARTIAL BLINDSOWTRAP SLATWEAN TO FINISHELECTRIC
HEATED PLATEWATER HEATED PLATECAST IRONFERROCAST LEVEL BED /
RAISED
SPLAYLEG STOP
COVER NI-2 POR PIGLETS
NI-2 CORNERNI-2 MOBILELAMPHOLDERLID WITH LED LIGHT, 5W
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