What pig innovations can be admired at EuroTier 2024?
Like every other year, the livestock show EuroTier in Germany is the place to be to spot pig innovations. At the edition held in November this year, none of the pig innovations managed to obtain gold medals, whereas 6 pig innovations obtained a silver one. This overview highlights the prize winners – and many more innovations.
The 2024 edition of EuroTier will be held in Hanover, Germany, from November 12-15. At a press conference in Offenbach, Germany, the organising German Agricultural Society (DLG) said that the show will feature over 2,165 exhibitors from 52 countries. In total 665 exhibitors will be from Germany (35%), whereas the other 1,389 exhibitors hail from outside the host nation (65%).
The show will be held on 22 ha of showground; and the expected attendance is around 120,000 visitors from the international agricultural world. Here is a glimpse of what can be expected.
Exoskeleton for high pressure cleaning
Aufratech
Hall 24, A23
Aimed at reducing physical discomfort, French company Aufratech developed an exoskeleton for high-pressure cleaning work: the Exon Dual and the Exon Mini. A lightweight, adjustable and comfortable tubular chassis and corresponding harnesses result in advantages in distributing the weight of the lance over the shoulders, as the reaction forces of the cleaning lance are transferred to the torso. It is also possible to attach the supply hose in the waist area. A 2-hand control module, which is positioned in front of the user, also results in a low trigger force.
Heat conductor for pig nests
ATX Suisse
Hall 16, C03
Especially in free farrowing pens, the challenge is to guide newborn piglets to warm nests as soon as possible. Swiss company ATX therefore developed the ATX Thermonest Eco, a heat conductor for pig nests. The patented curtain locking mechanism can be folded over very easily with one hand. The curtain is folded over upwards when the lid is lowered, making operation easier. It comes with a multifunctional board for conducting the heat and sealing off the nest. Only 7-10 seconds are required per pen to set up the heat conducting function before farrowing.
Lowered heated piglet nest
Nooyen
Hall 15, B03
Dutch pig equipment company Nooyen developed the Lowered Heated Piglet Nest – a slightly lowered and inclined nest, which simulates a depression. The piglet nest is accepted more readily by the animals and reduces the risk of crushing losses. Litter or bedding powder can be introduced into the depression without causing excessive losses. The slightly perforated surface removes fluids and the nest remains dry and hygienically clean. The nest heating system installed in the piglet nest can be operated with hot water or electricity and ensures consistent heat from below. The piglet nest is compatible with every farrowing pen and can be easily integrated into existing systems.
Flexible pig flooring system
Asbo
Hall 15, E19
Dutch manufacturer Asbo introduces a concept called the FlexiPigFloor system. In the company’s own words the system “enables a simple, durable, quick and inexpensive repair and needs-based adaptation of existing slatted concrete floors to changed slot width, slot ratio and surface design specifications.” The system consists of aluminium profiles that are flexibly manufactured according to requirements and a cement-based coating. The coated profiles can be used to repair existing concrete slats as well as to adapt the slot widths to changed statutory requirements or to convert existing concrete slats into a lying area with a low degree of perforation.
Holistic system for rodent control
MS Schippers
Hall 11, A11
HyCare Digital from MS Schippers in the Netherlands is a holistic system for rodent control on farms without the use of rodenticides. This system combines natural methods of rodent deterrence, such as the colonisation of predators and habitat management, with digital surveillance and trap systems. The individual surveillance points and traps can be monitored via an app. The app reports corresponding observations directly to the producer’s smartphone so that he/she can implement measures. The triggering of traps is also reported so that they can be quickly checked and reactivated. The control measures are also documented at the same time.
Sensor ear tag
Big Dutchman & BioCV
Hall 20, D20
German-based livestock equipment manufacturer Big Dutchman, in combination with German livestock monitoring company BioCV introduce the BioTag+. The sensor ear tag makes it possible to record the movement and temperature data of sows, with technology that isn’t unlike earlier novelties with Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technology. Using algorithms, it is also possible to register individual parameters such as noises or imminent farrowing. Data communication is carried out via Bluetooth and analysis is ensured via a cloud with the aid of AI. Even in the farrowing area, the system enables sows to be kept in groups until shortly prior to birth. This generally leads to increased animal welfare, less stress and easier births.
A distraction snack device PFP
Weda
Hall 14/15, D11
German-based equipment company Weda introduces ProBar, a doser for snacks for livestock, mostly intended as a distraction tool to avoid negative behaviours. Every time an animal touches a sensor, a dose of approximately five larvae of the Black Solder Fly are dropped on a plate. The larvae are being moved through the pipes via air pressure, so they arrive with the animals undamaged. Pigs have long been known to be intelligent enough to learn the connection between touching a sensor and being rewarded; in trials however, it was observed that with a slight modification the device can also work in a poultry environment.
A liquid toxin solution
Miavit
Hall 22, A30
German animal nutrition company Miavit is launching MiaBond Drink – a water-soluble powder contaning a toxin binder for poultry and pigs, of which the company says it is the first on the market. The solution offers producers flexibility as to what distribution method to use to get the binder into the animals. The powder contains the enzyme “Fumonisin esterase” for mycotoxin deactivation, which converts fumonisins into non-toxic metabolites. This is complemented by a selection of probiotics and prebiotics to promote gut health and a blend of plant-based ingredients to strengthen the immune system. Development of the product cost a lot of effort to make sure the ingredients were water soluble.
Oregano oil with organic acids
Dostofarm
Hall 19/20, C13
German animal nutrition company Dostofarm will be introducing the Dosto Liquid pH at EuroTier, being a mixture of oregano oil and glycerides of organic acids – a product that can be used in pig and poultry production. The combination has been observed to have a positive effect on animal welfare by reducing the pH value of drinking water. It also has an antimicrobial effect and can help with bacterial intestinal complaints, like e.g. E. coli and Salmonella. For addition to the drinking water, just a small amount is needed (500 ml/1,000 litre of water) – a dilution which will not be noticed by the animals. Trials at the University of Osnabrück are underway.
Integrated sow mattress
Nooyen
Hall 15, B03
Dutch pig equipment manufacturer Nooyen presents one more novelty – a new type of sow mattress, which can be included in the farrowing pen. This also took quite some time to have developed, as for proper use in a pig farm the material has to be suitable for a rough environment. The mattress – aimed at the protection of the sows’ shoulders, has to be both soft to lie on, as well as robust so it can go back to its original shape. Tears in the surface should not occur as that might invite the sows to start nibbling.
Body scoring
One of the innovations that makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) will be visible at the booth of Austrian livestock equipment Schauer: a body AI score. The solution comes with a camera and software and it is a “stand-alone tool”, i.e. its use does not require having other Schauer equipment on-farm. The camera can be installed inside an Electronic Sow Feeding (ESF) station or a sorting sluice, and it will calculate the sows’ body conditions as they move along. As they all have ear tags, identification and necessary action can all be done later.
4-in-1 solution
The German company Schweinekompetenz introduces the “RingelMat” – a device developed by a veterinarian which should be able to combine 4 different requirements of modern finisher pig barns wanting to comply with welfare regulations. One of them includes feed distribution, there is a pellet feed trough on one end, complemented by a distribution handing out short bits of straw. On the other side of the unit there is a water bowl installed. A third function includes a wall against which pigs can scratch their backs, a requirement in the German Welfare Initiaitive (Initiative Tierwohl). A fourth function is that of a “room divider”, as it is placed in the middle of a pen, it provides a safety spot to hide behind.
Imitating sunlight
Perhaps one of the more surprising innovations can be found at the booth of Danish livestock equipment producer ACO Funki. The company teamed up with the company Farmer-Light, to develop a heavy light unit which can mimic the effects of sunlight. Without radiating heat, the light emits UV light, which can supply vitamin D through the animals’ skin. That in turn is supposed to be an effective way to help kill viruses and bacteria, which could be a helpful tool lowering antibiotics usage, according to the manufacturers. In addition, the device would discourage the presence of both spiders and flies inside a barn. The latter could also reduce the chance of diseases being spread by flies as a vector. The device is on trial at Aarhus University.
Moving floors
In calf production, the Swedish company Moving Floor Concept has established a name with rotating floors to remove faeces and urine straightaway. A few years ago, the company also made its entrance in swine production, with about 100 farms having the system installed. At EuroTier, the company introduces A-Flow, which is basically a hanging sensor tracking ammonia levels, which can send a sign to start cleaning. With this device, producers can prove that their pig house innovation actually indeed helps to reduce nitrogen levels in their farms – which is a very topical issue in various countries in North West Europe.
Individual pig weighing
Danish company Agrisys took over the distribution of Nedap’s ESF line a few years back – which is now marketed under the Freeda brand. In addition, the company also keeps on pushing its own new innovations. For regular pig farms, the company is introducing an individual pig weigher unit, the AutoPig, which could be described as a light version of the well-known Pig Performance Tester – a flagship product of the Nedap line, which is specifically for small groups of pigs in research institutes and breeding farms. The new device, however, can track individual growth, water and feed intake on a group level in larger scale farms. It comes with a mobile phone app.
Next generation cleaning robot
When cleaning finishing houses, cleaning robots normally operate from the central aisle, but do not always manage to reach all corners of a pen equally well. German pig equipment manufacturer Meier-Brakenberg introduces Cleansman, a device which it claims can do that job better. The robot comes with extendable arms which can also spray water with different levels of force. That way also the ceiling can be cleaned properly as sometimes isolation material can be more vulnerable.
New vaccine combination
MSD Animal Health will introduce a new vaccine combination. Porcilis PCV M Hyo ID is a double vaccine which can offer protection against Porcine Circovirus, type 2 as well as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The company received marketing authorisation in September and will be able to sell it in the EU as from the first quarter of 2025. The combination can be administered to piglets using IDAL, the company’s intradermal, needle-free device. Using the IDAL Twin device, the new vaccine can even be combined with existing vaccines by the company, like Porcilis Lawsonia ID and Porcilis PRRS, reducing stress for the piglets.
