Lars Brunse, speaking at the recent Manitoba Swine Seminar in Winnipeg, MB, a seasoned expert from Best Farm in Denmark, took the stage in the vibrant hall filled with eager farmers and enthusiasts. His voice, infused with decades of experience, echoed through the room, conveying inspiration and possibility.
“I’ve spent over 30 years in the pig industry,” Lars began, eyes scanning the attentive audience. “And let me tell you, it’s not just about knowing how to do it, and it’s about finding inspiration in every detail.”
With a confident tone, Lars delved into the intricacies of effective management, innovative equipment design, and crucial sow support. He painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by farmers worldwide and the solutions that lay within reach.
“We can’t just settle for ‘good enough,’” Lars emphasized, resonating with the crowd. “We must strive for excellence in every aspect of farming, from management practices to equipment design.”
As Lars spoke, a fellow farmer from Denmark, proud of her hands-on approach to management, shared insights into the daily routines that ensure the well-being of both sows and piglets.
“We treat our sows like royalty,” she declared, her passion evident in every word. “By providing the right care and attention, we ensure that our pigs thrive.”
Lars’s journey exposed him to many experiences and innovations from Denmark to Canada. He shared stories of farms implementing cutting-edge equipment designs tailored to enhance sow comfort and piglet welfare.
“With the right equipment,” Lars explained, “we can revolutionize the way we farm, creating environments where pigs can thrive.”
The audience listened intently as Lars unveiled the future of pig farming: free farrowing systems. He showcased farms where sow welfare took center stage, with spacious pens and innovative features designed to mimic natural behaviours.
“This is the future of farming,” Lars proclaimed, his eyes shining with conviction. “A future where sow and piglet welfare are paramount, and innovation paves the way for success.”
“Free farrowing in Denmark means after four days, we open the boxes so the sow can move around,” Lars explained, his tone confident and assertive. “This is freedom for the animals, allowing them to roam and nurture their young in a more natural environment.”
“The best system is when the piglets are not hungry,” he emphasized, his gaze sweeping across the room. “We provide them with a piglet nest where they can eat and relax while the sow has ample space to rest and move comfortably.”
As Lars delved deeper into the mechanics of free farrowing, detailing the benefits of separating the sow from her piglets to minimize the risk of danger, his passion for animal welfare shone through.
“We want the piglets to stay inside the nest, away from potential harm,” he gestured animatedly. “It’s about creating a safe and nurturing environment for the sow and her offspring.”
Questions flew thick and fast, and each met with a thoughtful response from Lars.
“Our government is pushing for a higher percentage of farms to adopt free farrowing systems,” Lars revealed. “It’s not just about animal welfare; it’s also about meeting the demands of our export market and ensuring the sustainability of our industry.”
“So then, how does this fit into proposition 12?” A voice from the crowd queried.
“This is the way into that because, as you could see in the movie,” Lars began, his voice steady and resolute, “we are using strength; we have free with the sow the whole way.”
He said, “We also try to have some farms where they are free the whole time,” Lars continued. “When they come in, when they’re out again, we have what do we have more for this proposition 12, the space.”
He paused momentarily, allowing his words to sink in before driving home the significance of the proposition. “We have space enough in what we, in Denmark, want to have 6.5 square meters at least. Not only 5.5, but 6.5 or more.”
Lars spoke with a blend of pragmatism and optimism. “More and more, the producers respect it and they know how to do it,” he asserted confidently. “We have farmers saying this is my business, and I can still build the normal one. I will do that because I want to earn money, but most farmers are ready to do it in Denmark because the system is more and more ready.”
As the discussion turned to the cost implications of implementing free farrowing systems, Lars provided a straightforward explanation, ensuring transparency and clarity for his audience.
“Yeah, it’s a free farrowing is one to 1.5 more square meters,” Lars explained. “So it costs a little bit more.”
That’s why the Denmark government pays a little bit because then they take the difference, so for the farmer, it’s the same price. •
— By Harry Siemens