THE BIGGER PICTURE: The farm of the future

A greenhouse, not intended for tomatoes or peppers yet– instead, it’s pigs that will be living here, according to high standards on welfare, environment, societal acceptation and of course pig health.

PIG HEALTH SPECIAL 2024 – read all articles

This pig house is the very latest addition to Haus Düsse, an agricultural research and education centre in the heart of Germany – the facility opened its doors in March 2024 before the pigs would arrive.

Revolutionary

This particular house here is described as “revolutionary”, with a pig capacity of 250 – and intended to test new concepts. Ensuring high welfare obviously has a health component, which is enhanced by manure separation and daily removal solutions below the slats, which should lead to an immediate 45% lower ammonia emission. Fresh air is further encouraged as the greenhouse windows can be opened. And if one of the animals still develop some respiratory problems, then cough monitors should detect any sign of that five days quicker than a pig producer would.