Optimized Sow Management for Healthier Piglets

At VZ Holterhagen GmbH, the focus is on sustainable sow management and piglet production. The company has established strong partnerships with regional fattening farms, ensuring efficient piglet marketing. The goal is to produce as many healthy and vigorous piglets as possible. Current results speak for themselves, with a weaning performance of 35.85 weaned piglets per sow per year, highlighting the optimized processes within the operation.

Team Structure and Responsibilities
The farm employs 16 workers, including four part-time staff. The operations are overseen by a managing farm director. Three key staff members are responsible for the insemination, gestation, and farrowing units. Additionally, the company has one trainee specializing in pig farming. Piglet rearing at the main location is managed by two employees, while the rest are raised and fattened through contract farming.

Efficient Workflows: The Key to Success
Well-structured and organized workflows are essential to VZ Holterhagen GmbH. Daily routine tasks must be completed within a set timeframe to adhere to the weekly rhythm. Any delays can negatively affect performance, making it crucial to follow the schedule strictly.

The Impact of OptiMum on Feed Efficiency
Since installing the OptiMum feeding system, the farm has experienced significant improvements in feeding routines. Morning and afternoon feedings can now be carried out simultaneously in multiple farrowing sections, something that was previously not possible. The SmartLight system simplifies monitoring feed intake and the sows' health status, while the time-consuming task of cleaning the feeding troughs, which used to take 1.5 hours a day, is completely eliminated.

The staff was pleasantly surprised after the system's introduction. Most find the OptiMum system much easier to operate, and the barn environment has become noticeably quieter. The sows eat more slowly due to smaller, precisely dosed portions, giving the staff more time to care for the animals. Additionally, more sows can be fed in a shorter time frame.

Optimized Feed Curves and Feeding Practices
The feed curve is carefully tailored to the different life stages of the sows. From arrival until birth, the sows are fed 3.5 kg per day, which is reduced to 2.5 kg by the time of farrowing. From the first day of lactation, feeding begins at 2.5 kg and increases depending on the sow’s stage and condition, reaching up to 9 kg. Feeding frequency also varies, starting with twice daily and increasing to five times before weaning.

Improved Feed Efficiency and Sow Health
While overall feed consumption has remained nearly the same, feed efficiency has significantly improved. The sows consume nearly all the feed with minimal waste. Furthermore, controlled feeding has reduced the number of stillbirths, optimizing feed distribution around farrowing. The OptiMum system eliminates human error, with feed quantities more accurately tailored to the age and condition of the animals.

Positive Impact on Piglets
Since the introduction of OptiMum, noticeable improvements have also been seen in the piglets. Increased colostrum availability has reduced suckling piglet losses, and an average of 0.3 more piglets are weaned per litter. Average weaning weights have increased by 300 grams per piglet, resulting in a total weaning mass increase of 6.3 kg. The litters have also become more uniform, contributing to better health and growth rates in the piglets.

Simplified Trough Hygiene
Thanks to the smaller feed portions dispensed by the OptiMum system, there is hardly any leftover feed in the trough. Troughs only need to be cleaned occasionally when a sow does not eat, reducing the workload for hygiene and contributing to a cleaner environment for the animals.

Conclusion
The introduction of the OptiMum feeding system at VZ Holterhagen GmbH has brought numerous benefits. From improved feed efficiency and better sow health to more robust piglets, the farm has made significant progress in productivity and animal welfare. Henning W. and his team have created a well-organized and efficient operation that meets modern sow management standards and continues to set the benchmark in the industry.