UK-designed Farrowing Pen Attracts Worldwide Interest
UK - A pioneering pig birthing pen designed and created by a Staffordshire farmer is now being sold across the globe, it has been revealed.Orders for the 360º Freedom Farrower, developed by Midland Pig Producers' (MPP) managing director Martin Barker and his team, are soaring following a series of prestigious animal welfare accolades.
The Staffordshire-based company has now sold hundreds of units in Australia, Germany, Ireland and the UK. Demand shows no sign of abating and the firm has already secured three years' worth of orders, proving that pig farmers on both sides of the world are committed to meeting new legislation, modernisation and the improvement of animal welfare standards.
Regarded as one of the most significant innovations to pig farming in recent years, the 360º Freedom Farrower delivers advanced levels of animal welfare while also enhancing pig performance.
It has the same footprint as a conventional crate but improves the way in which the sow can be handled while allowing more freedom of movement.
Its flexible design with moveable restraining bars give the animal space to turn around in the pen but also enables close containment if necessary for stockperson safety. This increases the sow's nesting ability and reduces her stress, which leads to fewer deaths, fewer still born piglets, heavier weaning rates and increased profits.
MPP patented the design following extensive trials on its own farms and recently launched production for a worldwide market.
Commenting on the success of his invention, Martin said: "I'm delighted so many farmers on both sides of the globe have been inspired by our approach and share our vision for a more socially-conscious model of pig production.
"This started out as a project to improve our own animal welfare standards while also delivering improved productivity and profit. To know that our hard work and belief in getting things right is securing a better future for farmers across the world gives the team a great sense of pride and satisfaction."
MPP is an award-winning pig producer which has been at the forefront of efforts to modernise pig farming and promote best practice in the care and welfare of commercially-farmed pigs for decades.
The firm won a coveted Good Sow Commendation from Compassion in World Farming for its commitment to remove all sow restraint using the 360º Freedom Farrower and has also received official approval from the RSPCA for the design, who banned the restraint of sows from 1 January 2014.
MPP has also scooped the Food & Farming Industry Awards' prestigious Enterprise and Innovation title after demonstrating its commitment to advancing animal welfare standards and enhancing pig production techniques.
Agricultural businesses interested in acquiring a 360º Freedom Farrower should contact MPP for distributor information via www.360farrower.com.
MPP can also be seen at EuroTier in Hanover (11 to 14 November), the world's leading trade fair for animal production. The company will be sharing a stand with MIK International AG and can be found in Hall 12/D60.