AGROMEK-LIVESTOCK: Denmark

Once more, the international show of Agromek is held in the Messecenter Herning, Denmark.

In total 475 exhibitors, among which 45 new ones, predominantly focusing on the livestock industry, await visitors between November 24 and 28.

The show was used to draw attention to the formation of the new Danish Agriculture and Food Council (L&F). New managing director Carl Aage Dahl explained that this new, more influential council, is the result of a merger of the Danish Agricultural Council, the Danish Bacon and Meat Council, Danish Pig Production and Danish Agriculture, effective as from June 3, 2009.

He also explained that due to the financial crisis, it is difficult for Danish farmers to make profits. Much of Danish agricultural income therefore depends on favourable exports, which are still increasing. (DKK 100 billion = euro 13.4 billion = US$20.1 billion)

Domestically, things are not that favourable, explained Peter Hansen, chairman of the Agromek Exhibition Committee. Apart from banks being unwilling to provide loans due to the crisis, he said Danish farmers are suffering from an unfavourable, environmentalist attitude in national and local politics, make new investments very difficult.

The emphasis on environment and animal welfare can be seen on the show as ongoing discussions on providing more space for sows in farrowing crates came back in this expermental farrowing crate design from Danish equipment manufacturer Sdr Vissing. This design allows sows to lie down and move about without crushing the piglets.

In this 1.90 m x 3.20 m design, ideally weaning happens by taking out the sows and leave the weaners in for another while. The design received three stars, attracted a lot of attention and at least got the discussion going whether this would be the way forward.

A similar philosophy could be noted in an enlarged farrowing crate at the booth of international equipment manufacturer Egebjerg. This prototype, of which a few are sold in Denmark, allows farmers to lift the crate once the piglets are old and quick enough to prevent overlying themselves.

The company also introduced a cooperation with Jyga Technologies from Canada, which recently introduced the concept of a wireless individual feeding system for lactating sows. Egebjerg will be Jyga's agent for Scandinavia.

Danish company VengSystem was awarded three stars for this 'Intelligent Canopy', a sustainable concept for controlling weaner temperatures between 7 and 30 kg. Ideally, a sensor in the cover will detect whether the piglets are too cold or too warm and will thus increase the lighting intensity or lift the cover depending on the animals' needs. This way, the energy bill inside of the pig house can go down dramatically (up to 90% the company claims).

Dutch equipment manufacturer Nedap introduced Velos 2.0, an upgraded version of its computerised sow management system using Electronic Sow Feeding. The system is now equipped with a photography option, informing a remote manager through pictures on a cellphone what the situation in the pig house is like. Additional e-mail notifications can tell the farm manager where problems may have occurred and allow him to take direct action.

As from this year, the Dutch company will be represented in Denmark by Agrisys (website only in Danish), a new company which has only been existing for several months. The new Danish company also serves as an agent for Daltec products.

Another three stars were awarded to the Big Dutchman concept of Feeding Time Management, computerised system for liquid feeding in finisher barns, which is automatically able to adapt the amount of feed given to a batch of piglets, depending on the 'demand', i.e. the speed with which a certain amount of feed is taken in.

Swedish company Munters, strong in ventilation, has become a prominent guest at Agromek since the company took over the Danish ventilation manufacturer Turbovent. The old brand will continue to exist for the next couple of years as it is still well known in the market.

Danish company Fermentation Experts has reported large growth, mainly in Germany and the Netherlands over the last years, with its concept of controlled fermentation in liquid feeds. According to owner Jens Legarth, this way feeding pigs on only by-products has now become perfectly possible.

German equipment manufacturer Big Dutchman introduced the Grinding Bridge Mill, an improved grinding system with higher capacities, allowing greater amounts, up to 2,000 kg/hour of feed to be ground on-farm, and received three stars for this innovation.

Emphasising the search to more animal welfare solutions, Danish feed cooperative Aarhusegnens Andel served bits of pork made from intact male pigs fed on chicory, which is strongly believed to have a positive influence on the development of boar taint. Later this month, first scientific test results are being expected.

Danish ventilation company Skov presented an low-energy fan for inside a ventilation system's exhaust units, claiming energy of up to 40% can be saved.

Knowledge is power - hence Danish Farm Design introduced Lisa, short for LifeSaver, as this handheld device allows an easy storage of all kinds of data that can be observed during the farrowing process. Having a lighting system warning when an upgrade is necessary, any pig farm worker can thus save data - and later transfer them to a central database.

Do all the innovations point in a certain direction? Yes, indicated Martin Andersson, department manager of Danish Pig Production, which has recently become part of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council. Danish pig production has a good name and should continue developing that name, aiming for more profit in slaughterpigs, focus on genomic selection and on having 35 pigs/sow/year.

On the shorter term, he noticed an increased move of piglets to Germany, as a result of high finishing costs in Denmark and better prices at German slaughterhouses. Although the number of slaughtered pigs in Denmark thus will decrease, according to expectations, total numbers of pigs in Denmark will rise in his forecast.