Free access gestation sow systems from Denmark, 2008 Thursday 29 th January 2009 IPPA: Sow Housing and Well-Being Seminar Anna Johnson [email_address] (515) 294-2098

Cover today Denmark – some facts Objectives of the trip / who went Who is Denmark? EU and Danish legislation Breeding ideas for the sow Gestating system; free access Take away notes

Denmark – some facts

Objectives of the trip / who went

Who is Denmark?

EU and Danish legislation

Breeding ideas for the sow

Gestating system; free access

Take away notes

Objectives of the trip See and talk with producers who are using the free access stall Understand what features work and have been challenging in the system Talk with swine veterinarians and extension personnel Note: measurements and dimensions are Danish / EU requirements and by no means should dictate what we in the U.S. should be thinking of doing

See and talk with producers who are using the free access stall

Understand what features work and have been challenging in the system

Talk with swine veterinarians and extension personnel

Note: measurements and dimensions are Danish / EU requirements and by no means should dictate what we in the U.S. should be thinking of doing

1. John Vossberg, IPPA President -Elect 2. Bill Tentinger, IPPA Vice President of Market Development 3. Colin Johnson, ISU swine specialist 4. Tim Bierman, National Pork Board Vice President (IPPA Animal Health and Welfare Committee) 6. Sherrie Niekamp, NPB staff 7. Eugene Ver Steeg, Chairman Animal Health and Welfare Committee (IPPA) & a past IPPA president 8. Jeff Schnell, IPPA staff, Public Policy Director

Welcome to Denmark 5.4 million people 62% of Denmark's total area is cultivated (16, 000 sq miles) Crops: wheat, barley rape Agricultural export: 8.3 billion euro ($1.4 billion) 12 % of total Danish export Average annual increase in productivity since 1990: 8%

5.4 million people

62% of Denmark's total area is cultivated (16, 000 sq miles)

Crops: wheat, barley rape

Agricultural export:

8.3 billion euro ($1.4 billion)

12 % of total Danish export

Average annual increase in productivity since 1990: 8%

Basic facts of Danish agricultural production 46.000 farms (vs. 140.200 in 1970) Average farm size: 56 hectare ( 132 acres) vs. 21 hec. in 1970) Produce food for 15 m people (export 2/3) Full-time employees in primary farming: 67,000 Full-time employees in the food industry: 52,000

46.000 farms (vs. 140.200 in 1970)

Average farm size: 56 hectare ( 132 acres) vs. 21 hec. in 1970)

Produce food for 15 m people (export 2/3)

Full-time employees in primary farming: 67,000

Full-time employees in the food industry: 52,000

Danish Agriculture, Characteristics The farmer owns and operates his farm himself Compulsory training and education scheme with diploma Strong farmers’ organisations Farmers own and manage advisory service Advisory service fully paid by farmers being the users Commercial co-operative structure means that the farmers own the processing and marketing companies for the main products

The farmer owns and operates his farm himself

Compulsory training and education scheme with diploma

Strong farmers’ organisations

Farmers own and manage advisory service

Advisory service fully paid by farmers being the users

Commercial co-operative structure means that the farmers own the processing and marketing companies for the main products

Production costs 1 EUR = DKK 7.46 = 0.17 U.S. DOLLAR

Pig production in Denmark

Agricultural export 2007

Agricultural export 2007

Danish pigmeat exports By Value in 2006

Herd size (sows) Increasing herd size