MAPLETON – Local developers of a simple approach for protecting piglets in the farrowing area of loose housing systems, shared the podium with the Manitoba-based developers of a tool for automating hog tattooing as winners of the F.X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production.
The prize was presented at the 2019 Banff Pork Seminar held Jan. 8 to 10 in Alberta.
Winners for the piglet creep protection device were Brett, Jamie and Carl Israel of Carl Israel Farms Ltd. in Mapleton Township.
Winners for the Tattoo Master were Daniel and Justin Maendel of Rosebank Colony in Miami, Man.
Awards were presented by Dr. Ben Willing, University of Alberta’s chair of the F.X. Aherne Prize committee.
Defined safe creep area
The piglet creep protection device is designed for loose housing farrowing.
The triangular plastic divider slides over pen creep dividers, establishing a defined safe creep area under the heat lamp away from the reach of the sow. Piglets are trained to find the safe unit within the first 48 hours.
Fewer piglet crushings increases weaning rates per litter.
“This prize recognizes individuals who have developed either original solutions to pork production challenges or creative uses of known technology,” says Willing
“Industry thrives on innovation and the Banff Pork Seminar is pleased to acknowledge these grassroots innovations in the pork industry.”
The award is named after the late Dr. Frank Aherne, a professor at the University of Alberta and a major force for science-based progress in the Canadian pork industry.
