As of 1 January 2013, all gestating sows in the EU will have to be kept in group housing systems. Some pig producers have already made the switch to group housing but many still are still considering their options. For those still undecided, EuroTier 2010 comes at the ideal time to help producers make this strategic decision.

Currently, there is a great need among sow farmers for information on the changes and investments required. Even now, any new buildings constructed for sow housing must satisfy the future requirements. Bauförderung Landwirtschaft or BFL – an organisation devoted to promoting agricultural building construction and optimizing livestock management conditions – is joining the DLG in addressing this topical issue at EuroTier 2010.

On an exhibition stand measuring 500 square metres, a special focus on 'Sow well-being in group housing' will display various solutions for the new management methods and acknowledged experts will be on hand to answer visitors' questions. This special focus area represents an outstanding information forum that will no doubt be highly welcomed by international sow farmers, and it clearly demonstrates the organisers' commitment to covering topics of this kind.

The Special 'Sow well-being in group housing' offers:

• assistance for farms in adapting to group housing
• concentrated information offerings on the state of the art in keeping, feeding and management
• company and technical information in a 'virtual' piggery on an internet platform, and
• demonstrations of and guides through model solutions as well as daily information events on the topic of group housing at the EuroTier Pig Forum.

The Special takes place in Hall 12 on Stand E47 on all four days of EuroTier.