TECHNOLOGY AND ANIMAL WELFARE IMPROVE PIGGERY PROFITS

Pig stud breeder and farmer CP Kriek is convinced that contented pigs are more productive. For this reason, he has brought his operation, Taaibosch Piggery, in line with European standards of group housing. Coupled with the latest technology, this has resulted in increased production and higher profits. Kriek explained his system and management approach to Lindi Botha.

- CP Kriek

CP Kriek and his wife Gerdaswapped their industrial engineering careers for farm life in 2012 with the purchase of Bloubank Estates, the holding company for Taaibosch Piggery.

“As engineers, we love challenges and taking things that aren’t working optimally and making them better,” says Kriek, who grew up on a farm.

The Krieks have worked hard to bring their farm up to European standards, implementing group housing and an electronic sow feeding system. This has dramatically improved animal and herd welfare on the farm, and has also resulted in improved productivity.

Taaibosch Piggery, near Fochville in Gauteng, comprises four sections: a 2 200-commercial sow breeding and nursery unit; a weaning unit; a growing and finishing unit; and a genetic nucleus. An on-farm gene transfer center provides fresh semen to the breeding unit on a scheduled and on-demand basis.

In addition, the operation has an 80-sow stud, which is due to be increased to 250 animals by June.

Kriek uses a crossbreeding system with Large White, Landrace, Duroc, and Piétrain breeds. The first two have excellent maternal traits.

“The Large White is a double purpose breed and makes a good Landrace F1 cross in commercial herds,” he explains.

“Duroc boars provide good meat quality, growth and marbling, so we use them on our F1 sows.

“The Piétrain is a good terminal breed, as it provides high carcass yield and muscling. In addition to the pure terminal boars, Taaibosch composite terminal boars are used extensively on F1 commercial sows.”