New Product News from World Pork Expo

In conjunction with World Pork Expo, several companies introduced new products last week. Here's what’s new from Automated Production, Kent Nutrition Group, Merck Animal Health and Novus International.

Four New Feed and Barn Management Solutions

A new feed management system from Automated Production (AP) enables swine producers to better monitor, analyze and control their barn functions.

“AP’s technology integrates all critical barn functions — heating, ventilation, and feed and watering systems — into a complete solution for managing the animal production process,” says Brian Rieck, senior manager of product management for AGCO, AP’s parent company.

AP’s system uses a single dashboard interface, so producers can monitor a single operation or remotely oversee multiple hog farms.

Users are alerted to issues such as running out of feed or a consumption pattern concern (whether equipment- or health-related). The system can share data with external sources as well.

The feed management system can be installed in barns already equipped with AP’s Edge controller or AP offers an add-on solution to an existing controller for operations that do not have the EDGE controller.

AP’s new gestation sow feeder (GSF) combines the functionality of a free-access stall with the accuracy of RFID feeding. The GSF system’s modular nature can be used to retrofit partially slatted barns. Feeders can be left where the conventional stalls are installed and the remaining stalls removed to make pen space. 

The GSF is Edge Connect capable, providing feed management control with the ability to customize the feeding requirements of each sow. The controller delivers a feeding plan to the feeders, receives sow consumption data and provides reporting on each sow’s feed consumption performance.

The RFID hand wand allows ear tags to be scanned from a short distance, bringing up each sow’s individual feeding plan. Producers can make changes to the plans directly on the wand display and enter new sow arrivals into the system by scanning their ear tag.

The stall provides isolation for the sow while receiving her daily feed allocation, with a self-locking door to prevent other sows from entering. The stall door opens upon the sow backing up, and a floor bar makes it uncomfortable for her to rest in the stall.

AP’s next-generation EDGE controller — EDGE 2 — enables swine producers to manage and monitor ventilation, feed inventory and consumption, cooling, heating, lighting, animal weight and age, and watering systems in their barns. The system also features an online portal that keeps operators informed with near real-time site information.

In addition to capacitive screens that respond better to touch, Kaleb Lindquist, product manager for AGCO, AP’s parent company, says the user interface is simpler and takes fewer clicks to get to most desired functions. Behind the screen, EDGE 2 has built-in Wi-Fi, more data storage and larger processing power. Users can create easy-to-read graphics and reports via a web-enabled portal.

Lindquist says the EDGE 2 cloud-based architecture offers remote connectivity so the user can connect to the controller 24/7 via any web-enabled device to monitor and analyze data in near real time or to quickly respond to issues.

With a four times faster processing speed, the controller boots up more quickly after software upgrades, power loss or a controller reset.

The operator can configure up to eight different equipment program settings based on predetermined production or environmental conditions. For example, every time a new production cycle begins, the operator can select a corresponding program.

The Edge 2 Scenario Mode allows a group of functions, such as fans, inlets and lights, to be temporarily reset by operators using a “virtual” switch without having to reprogram the controller. Scenario Mode can be engaged by using a physical push button that activates predefined settings for a specific situation.

The new Flex-Flo XD Ultra Unloader from AP adapts to a variety of configurations and capacities. A wear plate made from fiberglass-filled nylon material provides four times the wear resistance versus galvanized wear plates. The wear plate can be replaced with a standard wrench. In addition, the boot features a new geometry that offers a 50% larger opening, helping to minimize feed bridging events.

The new geometry of the system offers a low-profile design, providing increased ground clearance under the unloader for cleaning and service. The tube anchors are made from the same fiberglass-filled nylon as the wear plate and are injected for a more accurate fit and alignment, helping to reduce wear.

Single, twin and quad versions all feature common wear plates, tube anchors and bearings. Anchor bearings are fastened directly to the unloader body, eliminating the need for muffler clamps and potential wear issues.

The clear boot and custom-molded access window provide for easier feed-flow visual inspections. Custom-cut EPDM gaskets seal the tube anchors and transfer plates, providing a watertight seal that prevents the intrusion of moisture into the feed.

A retrofit kit is also available for existing Flex-Flo unloaders that are worn, but the boot and slide gate are in good condition.

For additional information, visit www.automatedproduction.com or contact an AP dealer.

Kent Nutrition Group to Distribute Nutrition21’s Chromax

Nutrition21, LLC announces Kent Nutrition Group, an Iowa-based animal feed producer and division of Kent Corporation, will be the exclusive distributor of Nutrition21’s Chromax chromium tripcolintae.    

According to Nutrition21, Chromax is different from other forms of chromium because of its stable chemical structure and superior absorption profile. The chromium tripcolintae is absorbed up to 15 times better than other forms of chromium providing optimal bioavailability and effectiveness. 

For more information, visit nutrition21.com.

Vaccine for Emerging Virus in Young Pigs

Merck Animal Health is expanding its Sequivity RNA technology platform to include a vaccine for sapovirus, an emerging virus causing diarrhea in young pigs.

“We took the genetic sequence from sapovirus and inserted it into the platform and now have a vaccine that veterinarians can prescribe for herds impacted by this disease,” says Jack Creel, DVM, associate director, swine technical services, Merck Animal Health.

To date, there are no commercial vaccines for sapovirus, and traditional vaccines can take years to develop. Using RNA Particle Technology, Sequivity can take genetic sequences for specific antigens found in disease-producing pathogens and create a vaccine.

To learn more, visit Sequivity.com or contact your local Merck Animal Health sales rep.

New Way to Incorporate Enzymes Into Rations

Novus International, Inc., is expanding its product lineup with the introduction of Interius. The grain-embedded, corn-based feed additive platform was developed in partnership with biotech company Agrivida, Inc.

The active additives are part of each kernel of corn, so it’s a natural, convenient and profitable way to introduce beneficial enzymes, such as phytase, glucanase and other proteins, into animal diets by replacing a small amount of corn with Interius corn, explains Gary Winter, North America business director at Novus.

Interius can deliver customized feed additive payload to support digestibility and performance in food animals.

Grainzyme Phos Phytase and Grainzyme Phytase are the first products using the Interius technology.

For more information, visit www.novusint.com.