ESF a favourite option on new spanish farms
SPAIN - Since the introduction of Nedap Electronic Sow Feeding (ESF) in Spain, more than four years ago, many farms have gained the benefits of group sow housing with individual feed management. More farms are being constructed and many plan to use the latest developments in livestock management, says Nedap Velos.
During July, a Nedap Velos system was installed by two Spanish partners - Agrogi and Sahivo.
The 1200-sow unit (pictured above) will run a weekly production system, using static groups of approximately 50 sows after pregnancy testing. It is equipped with 11 ESF stations which will manage the feeding regime for sows throughout gestation.
The stations function without pneumatic parts, relying on a double-door exit, which prevents sows entering from the exit - side. Removable plastic side-walls allow access to the inside of the station and to the trough at any time.
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Inside Agrogi's new ESF house. Mechanical feed stations feed sows individually to a set feeding curve. |
Nedap Velos automatically recognises individual sows and feeds them according to an independent feeding curve, set up by stockmen/ managers according to body condition, age and weight. This minimises labour requirements and also reduces the risk of rationing mistakes.
The integrated software is flexible and suited to any PC program. Operations can be from the PC using a standard internet-browser.
Agrogi’s technical staff have been thorough a comprehensive training program at Nedap headquarters in Groenlo in The Netherlands.
They are confident with their new system and are making full use of Nedaps services. These include full system logging; full remote system control and automatic internet update services.