'The manure scrapers in our straw barns have improved the barn climate for the pigs'

Cleaning barns where the pigs rummage about in the straw is a very labour-intensive task. At Livar, a company with eight pig farms, they know all about that. To increase ease of operation, the company wanted to purchase a reliable system that would benefit the pigs, the environment and the employees alike. Why are JOZ’s manure scrapers a perfect fit for their particular method of operation? Rik Verheijen, Livar pig farm manager and co-owner, explains.

More than a pork producer

About 25 years ago, five Limburg farmers put their heads together. They saw small pig farms becoming increasingly large-scale, while they themselves wanted to go back to their roots: producing quality meat bursting with flavour from pigs that have had a good life. That’s how Livar was born, a concept that is all about quality for people, animals and the environment. There are now eight Livar farms and the meat is loved by more and more consumers who can get it at the better class of restaurants and butcher shops.

Rik is responsible for managing the pig farms. ‘Our pig farms have a 3-star Better Life quality label,’ he says. ‘The more stars you have as a pig farmer, the more you have done to improve animal welfare. At our farms, the pigs have three times more space than in regular pig farming and they can go outside. Moreover, our pigs retain the curl in their tails, which is often not possible in regular pig farming. This is reflected in the quality of the meat.’

Straw barns with outdoor runs

Livar pigs live in straw barns with outdoor runs where they are free to roam and rummage in the straw. While this is beneficial for the animals, keeping such barns clean naturally takes more time and energy for pig farmers than conventional barns with slatted floors without straw. This is because you have to keep the floor of a straw barn clean in a different way than a regular barn. So, Rik and his colleagues set out in search of options to automate.

‘Since 2020, we have been using one chain scraper system, two folding scrapers and a circulating chain system with conveyor at our Livar farm in Meerlo,’ he says. ‘And since 2023, there are also five chain scraper systems, 12 folding scrapers and a circulating chain system with conveyor at the Echt site. The manure scrapers remove the mixture of straw and manure from the barn and the circulating chain system easily removes the manure to the manure storage area.’

‘We are very satisfied with the solutions provided by JOZ. At other locations, we still use another method, but that is much more labour intensive. This way saves us a lot of time and energy.’

Underneath the grates

In a pig barn, the scrapers usually sit underneath the grates. Rik: ‘First of all, this has to do with hygiene, because you don’t want the manure from the old animals to end up with the young animals. But also, pigs are very inquisitive animals. If they see the manure scrapers, they will start playing with them and that can be dangerous for both the animals and the scraper.’

This means it is more difficult to repair something because you have to work under the grates. Rik and his colleagues were therefore looking for a reliable yet low-maintenance solution. ‘JOZ products are known to be very reliable,’ says Rik. ‘That’s also true in our experience, because we have had very few problems. If you work with slurry and straw, it can quickly lead to blockages. Fortunately, we don’t have that problem.’

Fresher and healthier barn climate

Besides saving pig farmers a lot of time, the scrapers also have a positive impact on the pigs. ‘We notice that the climate in the barn is fresher and healthier because there are less emissions of ammonia and methane from the manure,’ Rik explains. ‘These substances are bad for the animals and the barn climate. The pigs also have little trouble with the scrapers because they work underneath the floor.’

‘In addition, we believe this will also reduce our nitrogen emissions, although we have not yet measured this. But we quickly separate the manure into a thick fraction and a thin fraction, so we assume that has a positive effect. By using manure scrapers, we are ready for the future.’

Want to know more?

https://joz.nl/en/contact/Want to know how JOZ’s solutions can help get rid of manure in your pig barn? Feel free to contact our experts or your local dealer. They will be happy to inform you of the various options.