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Better pork
August 2016
on slatted floors is organized more
generally into large open areas
subdivided by thigh-high, pre-cast
concrete panels that create pens for
static groups of 12 to 15 animals.
Competition for feed takes place
along the open troughs lining one
side of shared pen spaces of his barn.
In the open environment, unlike
stalls, docile animals can suffer.
Walkerton-based general contrac-
tor, John Ernewein Limited built
the structure. Countyline Equip-
ment Ltd. of Listowel installed an
Automated Production Systems
(AP) chain feeder system. Geene
calculates capital cost per sow space
at about $2,000. The system lacks
electronic sow feeders, but they’re
under consideration.
The promise of electronic sow feeders
Computer-controlled feeding and
recording systems for hog produc-
tion promise reduced social pressure
in group housing and possible new
efficiencies. The machines recognize
tagged individuals and distribute
feed accordingly.
They allow customized feeding
for individual needs and would ac-
commodate a move Geene is also
considering from relatively small,
“static” groups to larger “dynamic”
groups.
“Then it’s just one big party in
there,” he said, referring to the po-
tential for reduced social pressure in
larger groups. “Maybe it’s because
some of those docile sows could stick
together in a corner.”
Geene is also waiting on better
technical evidence about the location
of electronic feeders in large-group
floor plans. What’s attractive about
them is the potential to manage
individual rations “especially for gilts
or bigger sows,” he said.
Although he’s part of a genera-
tion of farmers familiar with digital
technology, Geene remains con-
cerned about technical complexity in
electronic feeders.
“I don’t want to be in the barn all
the time,” he said. “You’d still have
to train employees and I think that
would be an issue.”
“And then, Murphy’s Law, it
breaks on a Sunday or when you’re
out in the fields planting. My feed
system broke when I was planting
too, but it’s just a quick little fix.”
Challenges with changing social behaviour
Group management and changes
in social behaviour with an ageing
sow cohort are the largest challenges
Geene has faced. It’s part of the
reason he’s moving to larger batch
farrowing groups — to better match
sows for size and maturity.
“It’s not like stalls; you put ’em in
and walk away,” he said. “I can’t just
take one and say, ‘Oh, this one’s get-
ting a little skinny, I’ll put her in with
the skinny girls; you can’t do that.”
At startup with a group of
first-parity sows, the animals were
fairly uniform in size and age.
Since then, the introduction of new
animals and the retention of others
have created growing herd disparity
in size and ages.
“I find the older sows don’t put
up with as much; they’re a little
grumpier when somebody comes in
their little area and they know the
system. They know they’ve got to
eat ’cause that’s all we’re getting for
today, so I think they’re a little more
aggressive,” Geene said.
BP
Group management and changes in
social behaviour with an ageing sow
cohort are the largest challenges
Geene has faced.
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