Richard Hooper and Phil Stephenson cited key benefits of lowering feed costs per pig, as well as a reduction in labour intensity and less feed wastage. As a result, overall feed savings of up to 10 per cent were identified, although the systems do demand high initial investment.

Richard Hooper manages a 240-sow indoor unit at Harper Adams University. He has introduced a ‘multifast’ feeding system that delivers a specific blend of feed to each pen of finishers to meet each pigs’ nutritional requirements more accurately to support lean growth.

He said: “The improvements in feed conversion efficency and reduction in nutrient excretion far outweigh the £80,000 investment costs.”

Trials carried out at the University using the ‘mulitfast’ system have found that feed blending can save as much as £5 per pig reared.

Mr Hooper explained: “It is important to consider that this figure will vary on each unit depending on the current feeding system. Nonetheless, the findings are very encouraging for the industry.”

Next up, Phil Stephenson owner and manager of a 700-sow, indoor farrow-to-finish unit spoke about his Gestal wireless feeding system.

He explained: “It’s used in the farrowing house and ensures that each sow receives the correct amount of feed based on her parity. This varies between two feeds a day up to farrowing and six feeds a day post-farrowing.

“The computer software allows each individual sow to be monitored from my office. The data produced means that I can nip any issue in the bud before it becomes too serious.”

Mr Stephenson informed delegates that the investment had definitely been worthwhile.

He added: “Overall, we have seen more efficient and profitable pig production and the implementation of the wireless lactating sow feeder has saved my business as much as £20,000 since installation.”