NATURELINE ANIMAL WELFARE BARN: SUSTAINABLE PIGLET REARING AND FUTURE-ORIENTED FATTENING

With its new NatureLine animal welfare barn, the Baierl family's farm in the Upper Palatinate is setting a pioneering example for sustainable and low-emission pig farming. The modern barn offers space for 760 piglets in rearing and 590 fattening pigs and combines innovative housing and feeding concepts with optimal conditions for animal welfare.

Sophisticated barn structure for greater animal welfare and efficiency

The barn is divided into two functional areas: a warm lying area and a cooler feeding and manure area. This separation ensures natural behaviour control of the animals and contributes to a hygienic environment. The lying area is littered with straw and offers the pigs a comfortable and animal-friendly resting area.

The cubicles can be variably adjusted to optimise the space for the animals' growth. This ensures that the lying area is always clean and dry, which benefits both the animals and the farmers.

Innovative feeding for a needs-based supply

Spotmix multiphase feeding enables pigs to be fed precisely and individually. By combining different feed components, the nutrient supply can be adapted exactly to the needs of the animals.

This not only increases the efficiency of feeding, but also reduces emissions and feed losses.

Another highlight is the newly developed long-trough sensor dry feeding system, which optimises the pigs' feeding behaviour, reduces stress and thus facilitates long-tail production if this is required by the animal welfare marketing programme. The system ensures that all animals have access to fresh feed at all times without wasting residue feed.

Automated straw bedding for natural activity

The Strohmatic light bedding system ensures fully automatic loosening and dedusting of the straw bales. A Chain disc conveyor system transports the short-cut straw directly into the barn, where it is distributed in the lying area via doser.

This system not only ensures an even distribution of straw, but also provides the pigs with a natural activity option that increases their well-being. Animal welfare is actively practised here!

Effective ventilation and climate control

Fresh air is an essential factor for the health and well-being of the animals. The draught-free supply air cooling in the barn ensures a pleasant climate and needs-based temperature control.

Windnets are also installed, which can be opened or closed depending on the weather. This provides the pigs with an optimum supply of fresh air without being exposed to draughts.
 

Emission reduction through innovative manure removal technology

An outstanding feature of the NatureLine animal welfare barn is the underfloor manure removal with faeces/urine separation. This system reduces ammonia emissions by up to 70 to 80 %. At the same time, the strategic positioning of the drinking troughs ensures that the pigs deposit their faeces in the manure area.

The manure and straw residues are efficiently utilised: they are fed into a biogas plant where they are used for sustainable energy production. This not only ensures environmentally friendly utilisation, but also makes a valuable contribution to renewable energy production.

Fair marketing concept and economic security

In addition to innovative barn technologies, the Baierl family relies on a fair cost price marketing programme that ensures economic predictability. By breeding their own piglets and maintaining a closed production cycle on the farm, the farmers benefit from short transport routes and a high level of quality assurance.

Conclusion: A milestone for sustainable pig farming

The NatureLine animal welfare barn on the Baierl family's Haiglerhof farm is a showcase model for modern, low-emission and animal-friendly pig farming. The combination of a well-thought-out barn structure, innovative feeding systems, automated straw bedding and advanced manure removal technology creates the best possible housing conditions - for future-proof and sustainable farming that benefits both the animal welfare and the environment.