Well-thought-out solutions in new climate-regulated barn

When it was decided that the son would become co-owner of Nørkjær Landbrug near Skive, it was decided to build a new climate-controlled stable with 7,100 pen spaces.

so that all the pigs could be gathered in one place. SKIOLD supplied the fixtures and fittings, floor slats, multi-phase feeding system, combi-diffuse ventilation system and heating systems for the new climate-controlled barn.

No compromises were made in connection with the establishment of a new climate-controlled stable at Nørkjær Landbrug near Rønbjerg by Skive.

The very first pigs had just been moved into the new climate-controlled barn when we stopped by to learn more about the farm and the new climate-controlled barn, which has 7,100 stalls spread across nine sections.

The owners are Pia and Jan Have, aged 52 and 55 respectively, and their son Jens Have, aged 25.

The farm comprises a sow herd of just under 900 sows with fattening of all pigs. The sow herd has always been located on one property, while until now there have been both climate-controlled barns and slaughter pig barns on two other properties. With the construction of the new climate-controlled barn on bare land, all climate-controlled pigs are now gathered in one place.

The son became a co-owner

Our entire original production facility had been written off, so we could shut down pig production in five years if our son, Jens, did not want to become a co-owner of the farm. That question has now been resolved, and he became a co-owner on 1 July this year. That is why we decided to invest in the new climate-controlled barn, says Jan Have.

Gråkjær Staldbyg was responsible for the construction of the climate barn. SKIOLD supplied all the equipment for the barn, including the floor slats. The feeding system, ventilation system and heating systems are also from SKIOLD.

The floor slats are plastic environmental slats that cover almost 50 per cent of the floor area.

The rest of the floor area is solid flooring with underfloor heating, and the heating loops for section-by-section regulation of the underfloor heating are also from SKIOLD.

SKIOLD has also supplied the room heating. This is provided by the market's most efficient ribbed heating pipes, which are mounted approximately 20 centimetres above the piglet pens on both sides of the barn. The ribbed heating pipes are manufactured by SKIOLD itself.

Line spill system and slurry cooling

A line system has been installed under the slats. This means that straw can be used, which will eventually make it possible to switch to producing boars and pigs with their tails intact. In addition, there is slurry cooling, which provides a sustainable heat source for the new climate-controlled barn.

The pens are made of fibreglass, which is highly durable. It is very narrow, only about one centimetre thick, which provides extra space inside the pens. We expect that this equipment will require significantly less maintenance, as it does not rust and is bolted in place with stainless steel fittings. The equipment is also white and yellow, which brightens up the interior of the barn, explains Jens Have.

Positive experiences with dry feeding systems

- We have had good experiences with SKIOLD's dry feeding systems for finisher pigs. These feeding systems are wonderfully quiet thanks to the coated steel wires with plastic carriers. We have never experienced a wire breaking outside the joints, which, incidentally, has only happened very rarely. That is why we have also chosen dry feeding from SKIOLD for our new climate-controlled barn, says Jan Have.

- We had no doubt that it should be multi-phase dry feeding, as the feed composition here is adjusted automatically every day. In addition, we can adjust the feed composition individually for each pen in relation to the size of the pigs. A sensor in each feed dispenser registers how much the pigs eat, and then it is refilled when the dispenser is empty, explains the pig farmer from north-west Jutland.

Three feed strings reduce wear and tear

SKIOLD has constructed the dry feeding system with three feed strings. This means that the feed strings are not as long, so they have fewer corners to pass, which reduces wear on the system. There are 12 feed valves per section, each filling two feeders – one per aisle.

The ventilation system from SKIOLD is of the combi-diffuse type.

‘It was a conscious decision to choose diffuse ventilation with two extraction units in each section for our new climate-controlled barn. This system reduces draughts inside the piggery and also reduces the volume that needs to be heated,’ explains Jens Have.

Ventilation control in each section

- We chose a combination diffusion system rather than pure diffusion ventilation because the air passage down through the diffusion ceiling decreases over time, allowing extra air to be drawn into the barn through the 24 ceiling vents installed in each section, he explains, continuing:

"We also chose to have independent ventilation control in each section to minimise the risk of operating errors. With independent ventilation control in each section, it will also be easier for us to locate faults in the event of a lightning strike.

The pigs are placed in the new climate barn at 6-7 kg. They will stay here for eight weeks until they are moved to one of the farm's slaughter pig barns.

Extra section pays off

- We deliberately designed our new climate-controlled barn with nine sections. This means we always have one empty section, so there is always a week for cleaning and delivery. Although the ninth section has obviously been an expense, we believe it will pay off over time, says Jan Have.

- We feel confident that SKIOLD supplied the pens, floor slats, feeding system, ventilation system and heating systems. They have some great products and competent technicians, and it is practical to have so many things from one supplier, adds Jens Have.

The arable land at Nærkjær Landbrug covers 690 hectares, of which 100 hectares are leased. Spring barley and winter wheat are grown on 580 hectares and winter rapeseed on 50 hectares. The rest of the land is fallow and forest.

In addition to Jan, Pia and Jens Have, there are eight permanent employees at the pig and plant breeding farm in north-western Jutland.

Jan and Jens Have at their new climate-controlled barn with 7,100 stalls. When it was decided that Jens Have (right) would become a co-owner of his parents' farm, the decision was made to build the new climate-controlled barn on greenfield land.  

The very first pigs had just been moved into the new climate-controlled barn at Nørkjær Landbrug when we stopped by to learn more about the farm and the new barn. Here, Jens Have has jumped in to join a group of pigs.

The owners at Nørkjær Landbrug had no doubt that the new climate-controlled barn should be equipped with a multi-phase feeding system from SKIOLD. In addition to automatic daily adjustment of the feed composition, the feed composition can also be adjusted individually for each pen in relation to the size of the pigs.

- We feel confident that the pens, floor slats, feeding system, ventilation system and heating systems in our new climate-controlled barn are from SKIOLD. They have some great products and skilled technicians, and it's convenient to get so many things from one supplier, says Jens Have.