Nedap, a global leader in livestock management systems, announced its new U.S. training program based in Carthage, Ill. This training program utilizes the state-of-the-art training center at Carthage Veterinary Service to educate the industry on electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems.

Graydon Bell, sales manager for Nedap U.S., said the training program was designed to assist farm owners, managers and equipment technicians to work effectively with Nedap equipment and manage sows in group settings.

"It's so hard from a biosecurity standpoint to tour production facilities," Bell said. "Therefore, it's extremely important from the producer's standpoint to have a center like this for education. People from all over the world come to this training center."

Customized training

Training takes place over two days in the classroom with Nedap's fully functional ESF training system. The Carthage System also has a 6,000-sow Nedap ESF system that may be toured depending on the group's training needs.

Participants can expect to learn about ESF functions, pen design, gilt and employee training and group sizing. In addition, they will learn about using the equipment for heat detection, automated marking and sow separation.

"Producers learn to customize the management system to the needs of their farm," Bell said, explaining that producers attend the program while ESF systems are installed on their own farms, giving them a chance to be prepared before animals move in.

ESF in action

The 6,000-sow housing unit is a Carthage System research facility with Nedap equipment that was installed in 2008. In addition to being a learning tool during Nedap's training program, the system gives researchers and consulting veterinarians opportunities to see group housing in action.

"Many of these producers haven't seen anything like this before," Bell said. "We find it important to train them before they start transitioning pigs at their own facilities."

To learn more about Nedap’s training program and technologies, visit http://www.nedap.com/sowmanagement or contact Graydon Bell at 515-218-1489 or [email protected].

Nedap is a global leader in livestock equipment and management systems. With a goal of creating technology that matters, Nedap has developed, manufactured and sold intelligent technological solutions for swine management for more than 35 years. Nedap is focused on both herd productivity and performance worldwide, offering smart, sustainable solutions in all parts of the production cycle for a profitable, individual approach to managing swine in large groups.