DLG has appointed an independent, international jury committee, comprising industry experts from the UK, Switzerland and Germany, to evaluate all the submissions according to stringent criteria. Five gold medals and 19 silver medals will be honoured at EuroTier 2012. The gold medals will be awarded by DLG President Carl-Albrecht Bartmer on 13 November 2012 at the EuroTier evening, which is held each year to mark the start of the exhibition, and he will be presenting the silver medals in a separate ceremony on the opening day.
Gold award-winners
AeroScalder
Marel Stork Poultry Processing, Boxmeer, Netherlands, Hall 9, Stand F32
Scalding in poultry slaughtering takes place in a number of scalding tanks connected in series in counterflow mode. To optimize the scalding process, air is pressed into the water. The disadvantage of the system is its high water and power consumption. Although it is assumed that germs are minimized as a result of the multi-stage scalding system, cross contaminations cannot be ruled out.
The AeroScalder system bypasses this problem by passing water enriched with hot air at high speed over the carcases. This saves up to 75 % water and up to 40 % power. The air/water mixture is generated directly next to the spray chamber so that the overall system requires less space than previous equipment and machinery. The scalding conditions are monitored via sensors. The carcases have no direct contact with each other via the water, as a result of which cross contaminations with germs can be ruled out.
The AeroScalder is an innovative development and makes a clear contribution to environmental conservation and product safety.
RumiWatch System
ITIN + HOCH GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland, Hall 13, Stand G13
The RumiWatchSystem is a health monitoring system for ruminants. It makes changes in the ruminating, feeding and water uptake activity as well as in locomotion and rest behaviour visible, quickly and easily understandably. The data are transferred without cable to a PC. An additional memory card in the unit allows long-term assignments over a period of up to four months. The low energy consumption allows a period of use of up to two years with one set of batteries. The system consists of a halter, pedometer and evaluation software. It guarantees permanent and reliable monitoring of key parameters relevant to the health condition of each individual animal. Thus for example by identifying a reduced number of chewing motions per bolus it is possible to conclude digestive disturbances or faults in the ration. RumiWatchSystem allows animal farmers, consultants, herd veterinarians and scientists to produce fast and competent statements about the animal health and can be used to support decision making.
optiSCAN
Hölscher + Leuschner, Emsbüren, Germany, Hall 12, Stand F46
optiSCAN is a mobile weighing system for fattening pigs that works using 3D camera technology. The handy unit is held over the fattening pig for 3 seconds at a distance regulated by the camera itself depending on the pig body. With the 3D picture and certain coordinates it is possible to determine the weight of the fattening pig digitally.
Thanks to the optiSCAN device, the physically strenuous and time-consuming weighing of the fattening pigs is no longer necessary. optiSCAN thus improves labour management and does not cause any additional stress to the fattening pigs either. The device allows more precise, weight-related marketing and faster and more animal-kindly weighing operations. Moreover the upstream and downstream work involved in classic weighing operations, such as cleaning the driving passages and weighing platforms, is no longer required, which in turn means savings in water and disinfecting agents.
GEA DairyProQ
GEA Farm Technologies, Bönen, Deutschland, Hall 27, Stand D35
An intelligent, automatically operating milking stall module for existing milking parlours for completely or semi-automatic milking of cows has won an award. The innovative milking stall module carries out all animal-related work steps connected with proper milk production, from teat cleaning and foremilking to teat dipping. The slim design of the milking place module allows it to be installed as a place divider in every variant of existing milking systems, regardless of whether these are rotary, tandem, herringbone or side-by-side milking parlours. Thanks to the good accessibility of the udder, semi-automatic milking operations are also possible. Larger dairy cattle facilities can use this technology as a step towards automating heavy milking work, without having to convert the regular work processes and other procedures in dairy cattle keeping and husbandry. Automation with the milking place module makes it possible to save on labour costs, releasing funds for technical equipment of the individual place solution.
optiCOW
Hölscher + Leuschner, Emsbüren, Germany, Hall 12, Stand F46
A medal has been awarded to an operating module for 3D measuring of dairy cows that functions completely automatically.
The cows are identified individually via RFID technology, filmed with a 3D camera and weighed automatically.
A mathematical-statistical computing program produces a 3D model of the rear part of the cow and calculates the Body Condition Score (BCS). With this image-processing technology it is possible to show the fat mobilization dynamics for each individual cow continuously over the entire lactation period. optiCOW provides the farmer with precise information on the health status and physical condition of each individual cow and enables him to steer the milk yield capacity of the cows specifically via feeding and keeping.
Silver award-winners
DeLaval Barn System Controller BSC
DeLaval International AB, Tumba, Schweden, Hall 27, Stand H34
BSC is an integrative and interacting system solution for holistic monitoring as well as for control and regulation of electrically powered actors in the animal housing, such as windbreak nets, fans, cooling humidifiers, manure removal and lighting. With now only one controller – accessible via the internet too – all these actors can be controlled manually or automatically not only via time cycles or time schedules, but also depending on a wide range of sensor signals such as e.g. weather and housing climate parameters, lighting intensity, motor loads, etc. Furthermore, the individual actors can be coordinated with each other for optimized process cycles, or connected with each other so that e.g. in the case of strong cross-ventilation the cooling humidifier is automatically deactivated. The essential and forward-looking further development of the BSC to a monitoring, control and regulating system for joining up previously individual systems to produce holistically optimized process cycles in a coordinated overall system makes it possible to save costs, reduce the use of energy and resources, and to facilitate labour, as well as to optimize keeping conditions for the animals.
Düsser Rooting Tower
Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen, Münster, Germany,
Hall 26, Stand A05b
The Düsser Rooting Tower is a device for keeping large groups occupied, for offering variable fibrous rooting or playing materials such as e.g. straw, hay, silage. The innovative character lies on the one hand in the structural form of the Düsser Rooting Tower. Through a gap in the floor it is possible for the pigs to actively root out the enrichment material. This corresponds more to the natural rooting behaviour of the animals. A further innovation is represented by the versatile use of differently structured enrichment materials. Thus both long-fibre material and short-fibre material (chips) can be offered via the Düsser Rooting Tower. By a simple adjustment option at the device it is possible to steer the quantities selectively. This also improves possible applications in strawless operations.
The Düsser Rooting Tower is thus an innovative further development of existing occupational and enrichment equipment.
Schauer Dryfeed Holding Hopper Batch
Schauer Agrotronic GmbH, Prambachkirchen, Austria, Hall 12, Stand E35
With rope pulley and chain conveyor systems the transport pipe can only be filled approx. 50%, as otherwise the drive resistance of the installation becomes too high and as a consequence the system comes to a standstill. If the return line is not guided via the silo in order to empty residual quantities, this would result in overfilling of the line and hence excessive stress. The feed holder hopper BATCH is supplemented by a short rising auger before the feed is transferred to the conveyor line. Feed is only unloaded from the silo by the auger from the feed holder hopper when no feed comes back from the return line. The feed is then passed to the conveyor cycle via the auger again. The conveying performance of the transport auger is matched to the transport performance of the dry feeding installation. This rules out any over-filling of the system. Accordingly the line routing of the dry feeding can be executed in a simple circuit without additional deflection corners. The conveyor chain as well as all mechanical parts of the installation are thus treated gently, leading to a longer service life and accordingly bringing distinct financial and labour management advantages.
Boar Stub
WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp, Lutten, Germany, Hall 12, Stand B48 and “Ringelpietz“ Circulating Feeding System
Lührs Gerätebau GmbH, Rehden, Germany, Hall 12, Stand D63
Castration of piglets without anaesthetics will no longer be possible in future for reasons of animal welfare. Consequently boar fattening will become important. In future it will have to be possible to administer different feed mixes for sows and boars in one compartment in order to exploit optimal feed conversion of the two genders housed separately.
Weda has developed a retrofit set for the control of system types M 16 and 4 PX for liquid feeding systems that work with stub lines. This makes it possible to feed different mixtures one after the other via a stub line as of a live weight of 55 kg. The prerequisite for this is gender-segregated keeping and the quantity of a complete feeding block must correspond to at least twice the content of the stub.
Lührs has developed a system for single-pipe dry feeding installations that allows different mixtures to be administered in one compartment.
By installing corner drives that have been developed by the company, the chain can run both clockwise and anticlockwise. A short wait follows after feeding, before the chain is emptied by running it in the opposite direction and a new mixture is then fed to the other gender.
Both innovations can be retrofitted at low cost and satisfy today's requirements.
Sow Check oestrus detection system
Big Dutchman Pig Equipment GmbH, Vechta, Germany, Hall 11,
Stand D21
The SowCheck oestrus detection system makes it possible to identify sows on heat in group keeping with a feeding station. An oestrus reflex is triggered in the sow via a number of perception levels (physical, olfactory, acoustic, optical). Sows on heat / returning to oestrus are then selected via the feeding station. The results obtained provide the user with a management aid for managing group keeping of sows optimally. In combination with the SonoCheck device, this unites oestrus detection and ultrasonic detection in a single system.
Galli-Luxmeter
Hato BV Lighting, Sittard, Netherlands, Hall 9, Stand C18a
The vision capacity of poultry differs distinctly from that of humans. Among other factors perception of light intensity at different wavelengths differs. At low wavelengths (blue to ultra-violet light), the light sensitivity of the birds is several times higher than that of humans. This is significant above all in the new light sources that are now being used. While bulbs used to give off light above all in the red to infrared range, the peak of the spectrum in the new light sources lies in the green to ultra-violet range. The setting and checking of the light intensity in the poultry-house with the aid of normal lux meters does not correspond to the vision sensitivity of the poultry. An appropriate dimensional unit, on the other hand, is the Gallilux. The Galli-Luxmeter measures according to the sensitivity of the fowl and thus contributes substantially to lighting the housing in line with animal welfare requirements. The Galli-Luxmeter is a very important measuring instrument for lighting technicians and monitoring authorities.
Automatic Dung Belt Control
Big Dutchman International GmbH, Vechta, Germany, Hall 9, Stand C24
Dung belts run inconstantly when loaded unevenly. It is necessary to correct the pre-tension, as when the belts rub against the guides damage is caused that can lead to the belt tearing. In modern keeping systems (small groups, aviaries) the belts can only be repaired or replaced with considerable labour outlay. In practice it is therefore customary to adjust the belts manually via a set screw when they run inconstantly. This is frequently forgotten and damage then results. Uneven loading of the belts has generally increased in the new keeping systems for layer hens. The automatic correction procedure is definitively new and represents clear progress. The risk of damage can be distinctly reduced as a result.
Polydress ®O2 Barrier 2 in 1
RKW SE, Michelstadt, Germany, Hall 23, Stand F14
The newly developed silage film combines the underlay film customarily used to cover the clamp silo with the silage film placed on top for the first time. Both films are connected with each other and only separate after application as a result of the moisture of the ensiled material. This saves one complete work operation in covering silos. With the lower material consumption, lower storage and transport outlay and separate recycling of the two films, the burden on the environment is also relieved.
Designer Proteins
European Protein A/S, Baekke, Denmark, Hall 14, Stand F53
This is a new approach for optimizing amino acid and phosphorous supply in line with animal and performance requirements. Through the selective fermentation of different feed proteins, anti-nutritive substances are degraded and phosphorous conversion is improved. Furthermore, the remaining lactic acid bacteria have a probiotic role to play. By including various algae proteins the possible combinations are expanded considerably. With these developments not only do new prospects for nutrient supplies in line with animal requirements arise, but also distinct effects on the ecobalance of animal production result.
Anta® Phyt BLT
Dr. Eckel GmbH, Niederzissen, Germany, Hall 16, Stand D20
A feed additive on the basis of phytogenic substances and carrier substances with prebiotic action has been developed with flanking scientific research. The product was subjected to an elaborate licensing procedure, and on the basis of its broad spectrum action it promises to show effects on the development of undesirable germs and hence take a key step towards reducing the use of medicaments (antibiotics). It thus not only improves animal health, but also makes a major contribution to relieving the burden on the environment. The product concentrates not only on use in the poultry sector, but with modifications offers a wide range of possible uses for other agricultural productive livestock too, with additional effects, e.g. on methane production in the case of ruminants.
Farm Power Manager
Joint development:
Big Dutchman International GmbH, Vechta, Germany, Hall 9, Stand C24
with Big Dutchman Pig Equipment GmbH
Hall 11 Stand D21
The Farm Power Manager software is a system for monitoring and steering the energy consumption of animal improvement farms and for tariff-dependent cost analyses and consumption predictions. Measured or nominal performance data of any electrical consumers/loads are provided by steering computers in the network to a central computer and can be analysed to find answers to various questions. Data exchange is supported on the basis of the ISO norm "ISOagriNET".
BigFarmNet Health Monitoring
Joint development:
Big Dutchman Pig Equipment GmbH, Vechta, Germany, Hall 11, Stand D21
Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik Hall 26, Stand A16
The software tool serves to support health monitoring in group keeping of pigs with demand feeding stations. The software documents the sequence of visits and feeding times of individual sows in group keeping on one day and over relatively long periods. Assessment of the daily events is carried out with regard to the entire group. Strong deviations of individual animals indicate a health problem of the sow or return to oestrus. By means of an indication or a report concerning the respective sows, the farmer is supported in his monitoring of the animals and in farm management.
GEA DairyProView:Software process representation on dairy farms
GEA Farm Technologies GmbH, Bönen, Germany, Hall 27, Stand D35
The software for process representation on dairy farms from GEA Farm Technologies serves to show all areas and work processes on a dairy farm. All the housing, driving and milking areas as well as the associated individual work procedures are visualized and monitored. This allows representation of all animal-related operations, such as movement of cow groups, whereabouts or movement processes and the technical functionality in real time. The operative workflows of the herd manager and the milking staff can be optimized as a result.
Interface for automated and safe data exchange
CLAAS Agrosystems KGaA mbH & Co. KG, Gütersloh, Germany, Hall 26, Stand D21
The uniform interface of the German Association for Performance and Quality Testing (Deutscher Verband für Leistungs- und Qualitätsprüfung e.V.) (DLQ data portal) realizes uniform and standardized data communication between the farm and its external partners (e.g. HIT, LKV, ZWS, …). Performance data, status information and special features relating to individual animals in cattle production are transferred automatically across farms and systems. The data exchange takes place on the basis of the ISO norm "ISOagriNET". Communication is automated in both directions. Recommendations for action for the farm manager can be derived after successful data transmission. This distinctly improves the workflow design of individual farms.
Verti-Mix self-propelled machine with removable cutting unit
B. Strautmann & Söhne, Bad Laer, Germany, Hall 27, Stand E16
"The new feed unloading system for self-propelled feeder mixer wagons from Strautmann combines the advantages of the known systems cutting unit, block cutter and chopping unit. While the silage is cut out from the silo with a cutter unit that is gentle to the silage structure and conveyed to the elevator belt without mechanical stress via a blunt conveyor roller fitted with auger segments, loose bulk materials can be taken up directly with the conveyor roller by folding down the cutter unit. On the one hand this brings advantages regarding nutritional physiology thanks to gentle treatment of the structure during silage unloading, while on the other hand as a result of the de facto chopper extraction of unloaded silage and loose bulk materials the labour management advantages of classic chopper extraction are retained."
AQUA BOARD
BIORET AGRI, Nort sur Erdre, France, Hall 13, Stand F0
The elasticity of rubber and flexibility of water are combined in the AQUA BOARD for greater animal comfort.
The brisket board filled with water creates a visual boundary line for the cubicle, does not impair the cow in its movements and allows it to assume natural lying positions with stretched front legs without any risk of injury.
The wide rubber hose is supplied tailored to the length of the cubicle row, can be installed easily and subsequently filled with water via a screw valve up to the desired size and elasticity.
Haptoglobin Test
Frim Tec GmbH, Oberostendorf, Germany, Hall 27, Stand G45
A medal is awarded for the on-farm measuring of haptoglobin in cow milk using the automatic analysis device "eProCheck 2.0" for fast diagnosis of inflammations. With the new ELISA, the farmer can determine the immune parameters in the raw milk directly himself using this automatic analysis device.
Haptoglobin is an acute-phase protein and reacts already at the start of any inflammatory reactions.
The quick test supplies the farmer with valuable additional information on the farm for health monitoring e.g. of his freshly calved cows.
iVET Birth Monitor
iVET, Papenburg, Germany, Hall 27, Stand D11
The iVET birth monitor for cattle consists of a transmitter and receiver system. The flexible T-shaped sensor system that is easy to clean and disinfect can be inserted into the cow vagina easily by one person. At the start of birth the sensor is pressed out by the amniotic sac and the calf within it. The change in position of the system is registered by the light and temperature sensor and a signal is sent by voice message and text message to two pre-programmed mobile telephone numbers. iVET additionally monitors the body temperature and can thus identify pathological changes in the cow at an early stage. This innovative birth monitoring system is a management aid, helping to purposively identify the start of calving by a cow and at an early stage. After the birth alert, there is sufficient time for an optical or vaginal check in order to be able to intervene in the event of incorrect presentation, position or posture of the calf, or to call in a veterinarian. This improvement of birth monitoring can help to reduce dead births, non-identified difficult births and their subsequent illnesses.
