The first 237 boars from 32 different herds came from across the country to Topigs Norsvin’s Delta Norway testing facility.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Images via Topigs Norsvin
Swine genetics company Topigs Norsvin is renowned for its innovative approach to implementing new technologies and its continuous focus on cost-efficient and sustainable pig production.
Delta Norway is the latest new boar testing location for Topigs Norsvin and has an annual test capacity of 5,000 young boars from the Norsvin Landrace and TN Duroc lines.
It recently welcomed the first 237 young boars to the new Delta Norway test station in mid-August, with more animals to follow in the coming weeks.
These pigs enjoyed the automatic bedding allocation and immediately felt at home, which is exactly how station leader Annette Westad Karterud and her team planned it.
The young boars came from 32 different herds across Norway and were first quarantined for three weeks. They all have the high health status SPF (specific pathogen-free) and are completely free of the respiratory pathogen APP (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae).
Testing and feed intake recording began immediately after the boars arrived, with plans after 10 weeks at the test station for the first boars to be CT-scanned and available for export to customers worldwide.
Equipped with new technical solutions and infrastructure for large-scale data capture, Delta Norway will significantly boost genetic progress. Besides individual feed intake registration and performance measurements, the extensive use of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence will make it possible to track pigs continuously and register fluctuations in their environment and behavior.
Topigs Norsvin believes that only by providing continuous and strong product improvement will it enable clients to achieve significant added value in their production.
Its global website is www.topigsnorsvin.com, where you may choose your country for local specifics.