Troubleshooting the environment
The most important way of examining the conditions of a building is using ones senses, since these might tell you immediately, whether an environmental problem is present.
Page 52 of articles about facilities-equipment
Thompson’s tip: Hot weather check-ups
Following the recent hot weather, growth rates among growing and finishing pigs can be expected to slow. So stocking densities need particularly attention, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.
New research looks at farrowing crate alternatives
The practical stage of a major new research project looking at welfare-friendly alternatives to the farrowing crate has just got under way with the building and evaluation of prototype designs.
Swine production in the Philippines (2/2)
Pig rearing practices in the country need a lot of improvement considering that about 70% of pigs are on a backyard level.
Major investment in plant for UK specialist feed company
SCA NuTec has completed a £2 million development in a new blending facility for the animal feed industry at its Dalton site, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The investment includes a dedicated tote production plant for specialist high value products for the pet and equine sectors and a new dry powder blending plant that will produce premixes and minerals for inclusion in pig and ruminant diets.
Biosecurity measures to prevent airborne infection in pig farms
Experimentally it is difficult to demonstrate whether a pathogen can be windborne and if so how far.
Drinking valve in kit form
Aqualevel drinking valves, which automatically maintain water levels in the troughs of suckling sows, are now available in kit form for farmers who wish to do the fitting themselves. The kit includes the plastic vacuum-operated diaphragm valve and a 1m length of stainless steel water-pipe.
Pregnant pig computer hackers
Clever pigs show how they have learnt how to beat the food system in farms around the UK. Interesting animal video from BBC show 'Clever Critters'.
Biosecurity measures to prevent pig farms being infected by wild animals
Wild animals which may spread infection between farms include wild pigs, birds, flies, rats and mice.
ARM Buildings running flat out to meet demand for piggeries
ARM Buildings, the Staffordshire-based pig and poultry buildings specialist, reports that it has been running flat out with 24-hour shifts having been introduced at its Rugeley factory to keep up with demand for its range of pig houses.
Zhongpin to Increase and Streamline Production Capacity
The new pork production facility, located in the Jinghai Economic Technical Development Area in Tianjin City, will increase total annual pork production capacity by 136,000 metric tons.
Monthly biogas open days
Due to a surge of interest in on-farm biogas production in the UK and the rest of Europe, EnviTec Biogas AG has organised a series of open days on farms using their systems in Germany.
Thompson’s tip: Spring ventilation check-up
As we head towards the middle of spring, pig producers should review their ventilation systems advises Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.
Typical ventilation problems and their prevention
Tail biting is a typical non-specific reaction to a deterioration of the environmental conditions.
Biogas exports boom
Exports of biogas plants more than tripled in value during 2008, reports the German manufacturer EnviTec Biogas AG. The Lohne-based company said that installations increased from 8.2 million Euros to 29.7 million Euros.
How green are your creeps?
The UK pig industry could save nearly £2.5 million a year simply by enclosing creep areas in the farrowing house. In addition, it could reduce CO2 emissions by 15,000 tonnes, thereby making a positive contribution to environmental change.