Global show, European flavour

New exhaust fan
Italian ventilation company Termotecnica Pericoli introduced its newly designed EOS53 exhaust fan having an increased diameter of 53 inch (1.35 m) from 50 inch, taking care of a 10% higher air flow and 30% reduction in energy consumption, for any agricultural application. With external dimensions unchanged, the new type of fan is available with three or six blades with a shutter opening either operated by a new flap or through a conventional centrifugal system. The design also includes a vibrations less motor mounting and a stronger propeller hub with aerodynamic pulley.

Growth monitor
Dutch housing management company Fancom introduced eYeScan, an automatic growth monitor for fattening pigs, housed in pens up to approximately 15 animals. The system uses camera technology in pig houses, making an image scan every time a pig starts eating, enabling a computer to accurately calculate an animal’s weight development and present this in graphs and tables. Each image scan is automatically filtered by digital processing and compared to an arithmetic model. There are calibration possibilities for correcting breed traits, so average weight in a pen can be calculated with a maximum deviation of 3%.

Safety injector
German syringe manufacturer Henke-Sass, Wolf introduced the HSW Safe-Matic, a new type of injector, which responds to the needs of having safer injectors as some injectables can also be harmful for users. This newly developed device has three safety mechanisms before a pig can be vaccinated. The 2 ml automatic self-filling syringe can be used universally with bottle adaptor or tubing attachment and can be positioned as required. Standard 50 ml/ 100 ml medication bottles can be replaced quickly and easily due to the new bottle adaptor and the basket, protecting the bottle.

Feed distribution unit
Dutch livestock equipment manufacturer VDL Agrotech presented its Feed Distribution Unit at VIV Europe, applicable to houses with sows, gilts or fatteners. The unit ensures an even distribution of a pre-weighed portion of dry feed in a long trough. This way, a better uniformity is achieved. The charging of the stainless steel hoppers happens through automatically controlled valves. Each outlet has a total capacity of approximately 8.4 litres, or 5.5 kg of feed. When all units are filled, the central pneumatically controlled opening mechanism will open all units for simultaneously feeding in all sections.

Biomin P.E.P. MGE
At VIV, Austrian feed additives manufacturer Biomin introduced its new product Biomin P.E.P. MGE, a feed additive that includes heat-sensitive phytogenic compounds to enhance essential oil encapsulation during production of the product. This way, the company says ingredient bioavailability and efficacy are enhanced, as problems of degradation from high temperatures and oxidation are avoided – both usually leading to a loss in feed quality. The approach leads to a longer shelf life than previous products and improved palatability. In addition, odour issues are tackled.

Prestarter concept
Belgian feed additives company Vitamex presented the full range of its Pops prestarter concept – a supply of feeds for young piglets, consisting of various products, often easily digestible and palatable. Some of these brands were newly introduced to the market, like Weanipops (soluble prestarter in meal form for piglets), Crespina (prestarter in meal form, to be used as creep or weaning feed for piglets of 21-24 days weaning age), Fortuna (prestarter feed in pellets for piglets of 21-24 days weaning age) and Safina (prestarter feed in in pellets for piglets of 21-28 days weaning age – see image).

Manure-to-energy converter
German livestock equipment manufacturer Big Dutchman presented a system for converting poultry manure into energy – and announced to be looking into ways to introduce this system into pig production as well. The idea is to dry all manure with warm air, after which the remainder is pelletised. Both processes strongly reduce the manure’s volume. The pelletised product can be transported in bags or on conveyor belts damage-free. A thermochemical converter can convert the pelletised manure into energy. In addition to manure, other products can be burnt too.

Premix and prestarter
French animal nutrition company Invivo NSA, which emerged after a takeover of Evialis by InVivo, introduced several new products to its range. For pigs, the company introduced Evimix, a premix brand; and a complete new range of prestarter feeds, called Youpig. In essence, the series consists of three consecutive feed products, called Youpig Baby, Youpig 21 and Youpig 28. The idea behind the use of these attractive and sweet prestarter feeds is to make feed attractive at young age, and thus manage stress at weaning and shorten fattening by 3.5 days.