Wrapping up September: What’s new in the world of pigs?
Plenty of swine innovations were introduced in the month that Europe is gradually waking up from Covid-19 hibernation, with trade shows in France and Spain. And for genetics companies, developments and expansions just continue to happen. Here are the pig business highlights for September 2021.
Hamlet Protein launches new fibre
Hamlet Protein has launched HP FiberBoost, a pure fibre product containing functional fibres produced specifically for dietetic use in piglets. The product completes the company’s fibre range and offers producers an additional option when formulating diets without zinc oxide. The product was developed to address a market demand from customers interested in combining fibre with a vegetable protein source of their choice.
Framelco introduces Fra Digest Health
The new product of feed additive producer Framelco is called Fra Digest Health. It is a combination of lysolecithins with selected glycerides of butyric acid and lauric acid. Lysolecithins improve nutrient efficiency and glycerides of butyric acid stimulate intestinal health. Meanwhile, glycerides of lauric acid help to control pathogens.
Teat feeder for cup systems
The Netherlands-based pig nutrition experts of Swinco have launched a new weaning feed, Opticare Wean Automix, for piglets on the European market, making Swinco the first in the industry to offer a teat feeder that is suitable for cup systems. The product makes it possible to continue feeding up to and including the weaning process with 1 feeding installation.
PCV2 and M. hyo vaccines can be administered together
Animal health company Ceva recently received a positive opinion from the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products in the European Union. That means swine producers across Europe can administer Circovac and Hyogen together, as “Duo,” which the company says gives protection against PCV2 and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae until 26 weeks of age.
Hipra app determines pig lung health
Using artificial intelligence, animal health company Hipra developed a new app to determine lung health. The app systematically screens large numbers of photographs of pig lungs to determine health status. The app complements the company’s vaccine Mhyosphere PCV ID, introduced in 2020, against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Porcine Circovirus type 2. The company expects 15 million doses of the needle-free vaccine will be administered to piglets this year.
SPACE kicking off Europe’s show season
The 35th edition of France’s animal husbandry event SPACE was held from 14-16 September in Rennes. The digital version continued on 17 September. After 2 years without a physical edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this edition reported 1,118 exhibitors (323 international), and welcomed 74,772 visitors (4,629 international). Pig Progress editor, Vincent ter Beek, also shared his thoughts, on the show; more on the show’s pig innovations can be read here.
Asserva launches feeding station for finishing pigs
French livestock equipment company, Asserva, took the opportunity at the annual trade show SPACE to launch the Selfifeeder GFI, a feeding station for the individual feeding of finishing pigs. The station can provide feed to groups of about 40 ear-tagged animals between 20 and 130 kg and can mix 2 feed components with water in a dosage that is tailored to the needs of each animal.
InflaMove wins award for at Figan in Spain
Also happening at a September trade show, after international recognition at World Poultry Congress, the Danish company R2 Agro has won an award for its product InflaMove. The nutritional product with a strong anti-bacterial effect contains natural botanical ingredients from herbs, seeds and fruit. The product improves performance and increases feed use on the basis of an improved gut GI function. In piglets, trials have shown a 6% decrease in feed intake for piglets and a 5% increased daily growth.
Nedap wins prize for activity sensor for lactating sows
In addition, at the same Figan fair in Spain, Nedap was awarded a technical novelty prize for its wireless activity sensor for lactating sows in the farrowing pen – an element that is complementary to Nedap’s farrowing feeding concept. The sensor can measure, report and alert staff if sows are away from the trough for too long.
Choice delivers 1,000 breeding pigs to China
Pig genetics company Choice has delivered 1,000 breeding pigs from Paris-Vatry Airport in France into Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in China via a Boeing 747 airplane. The great-grandparent gilts and boars were selected to serve a customer as they expand their multiplication and pork production system.
DanBred Africa exports breeding pigs to Uganda
DanBred Africa has successfully sent more than 240 breeding pigs via air freight to a customer in Uganda. More of these exports are being planned and the company expects that its genetics offering will contribute to successful pig production in the country.
PIC expands the largest boar stud centre in Europe
An agreement between pig genetics company PIC and Sergal in Spain will see the expansion of the boar stud/genetic transfer centre called Riufred, located in the Pre-Pyrenees mountains. The current expansion consists of a new building with a capacity of an additional 264 boars, which increases total capacity to 530 boars.
Topigs Norsvin invests in new nucleus in Canada
Netherlands-based breeding company Topigs Norsvin is investing in a new nucleus farm in Manitoba, Canada, representing the single biggest investment in the history of the company. The new nucleus farm, which is expected to become operational in mid-2022, is part of a bigger plan to upgrade and expand the nucleus capacity in Canada.
Bewital Agri’s new spray tower project almost complete
Bewital Agri has started its first test production on its new spray tower in Südlohn-Oeding, Germany. The 20m long tower was lifted over the existing production facilities and will provide increased production capacity, better energy efficiency and more flexibility regarding raw materials and blends.
Housechem becomes distribution partner for European Protein
Housechem is now the distributor of European Protein products in Thailand. European Protein uses fermentation of proteins to encourage good health and well-being of animals.
Ground broken on new Jefo production plant
To increase production by up to 400%, Canada-based animal nutrition company Jefo has invested CAN$ 42.5 million (US$ 33.5 million) in a new 16,700 m2 plant in Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada. The plant will feature 2 production lines with the potential to expand to 6 lines.
Masan and De Heus form partnership
Masan MeatLife and animal nutrition company De Heus Vietnam have partnered to optimise and drive productivity of Vietnam’s 3F (feed, farm, food) animal protein value chain. Masan will focus on the branded chilled meat business while De Heus Vietnam will prioritise animal nutrition, genetics and husbandry solutions.
CP Foods gears to eco-friendly products
Thailand’s largest agribusiness Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) is progressing with low-carbon product development, including in fresh pork as well as piglet and fattening feed categories. The company now has 790 certified low carbon products which have contributed to a reduction of 1.418 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
