Business opportunities and innovation at EuroTier 2008

16-07-2010 | Home | Article

Last November, Hanover in Germany was the temporary capital of the international animal husbandry business. Suppliers and visitors from around the globe met at the Hanover Fairgrounds. This edition hosted the world poultry show again. Take a flashback to the successful event, where some interesting new products were also introduced.

EuroTier met its expectations. According to organiser DLG, some 130,000 visitors came to the show, 22,000 of which were from abroad. The overall attendance rose by 11%. “This high level of interest reflects confidence in the medium and long-term potential of the branch, despite the short-term economic outlook”, says DLG general executive manager Dr. Reinhard Grandke. Foreign visitors came from over 80 countries, most of which within Europe. However, the high numbers of visitors from the near, middle and far East were also encouraging.

The number of exhibitors grew by 15% compared to the previous edition, with 1,764 direct exhibitors and 44 additionally represented firms from 46 countries. The considerable proportion of foreign exhibitors (42%) made clear the international value of EuroTier. With the World Poultry Show, being an important pillar for that position.

1 HatchTech introduced its “U-Vaporator” humidification device. It consists of ultrasonic elements which produce small and fast vibrations to create water droplets of only 1 micron (30-50 times smaller then traditional humidifiers). These small droplets ensure uniform chick quality. Important factors for embryonic development are temperature and humidity. To control the required embryo temperature, a proper humidity level is needed, as humidity is the transport medium for heat. The smaller the droplets size of the humidity, the better the distribution and the more uniform total heat-transport. The U-Vaporator produces a constant very fine vapour of water droplets.

2 The HatchTech CyClean was developed to capture fluff from the air that leaves the hatcher. Capturing the fluff prevents (cross) contamination in and around the hatchery. With the fluff rooms (plenums) that are used nowadays, still up to 50% of the fluff is escaping into the environment.

The HatchTech CyClean catches 95% of the fluff in the air. The design of the CyClean makes fluff rooms redundant, resulting in approximately 20% space reduction in the hatcher rooms. With CyClean, a hatchery can save on labour and building costs.

3 Pas Reform’s new polystyrene “SmartTray” has been designed to enhance the comfort of modern embryos during the critical phase of incubation, delivering uniform airflow around the eggs to manage increased metabolic temperature effectively. It supports hatching eggs at two levels: suitable for large and small eggs, with specially shaped support points to fit all egg sizes. An open, spacious grid prevents the development of ‘dead spots’ and allows free movement of air for the uniform distribution of heat and humidity. It has self-centring egg positioning which is ideal for in-ovo vaccination and prevents eggs from sticking and breaking. Other characteristics are: high resistance against temperature changes and weight load, secure stacking, smooth finish for thorough cleaning and lightweight.

4 The new TPI 2800-VFRM polyurethane valve is executed with an integrated actuator that can be controlled by practically all market available controllers or climate computers. It runs on 24 V DC. By means of a 0-10 V signal the valve can be controlled linearly. This new concept makes the use of connection sets, pulleys, a main cable etc. superfluous. The unit calibrates itself after connection, so adjustment is not necessary. The 4-wire cable can be linked from inlet to inlet. So by means of one connection control cable, a bigger number of units can be controlled. The inlet is executed with a flange on the front side and a straight inner flap.

5 AgroMax.nl from the Netherlands supplies poultry farmers worldwide with poultry equipment. It does not have a sales and service staff. Instead everything goes online through the agromax.nl web shop. No high-tech equipment is available, but just a wide range of equipment for regular use which can easily be maintained by producers themselves. According to its director Ramzy Yousef, all kinds of products are available for feeding, drinking, heating, ventilation, cooling, lighting, feed/bird weighing and more. www.agromax.nl

6 “EggCam”, the newly developed egg counting and evaluation system from Big Dutchman captures every egg, measures and checks it for dirt. This is made possible by camera technology that comprises a sensor with integrated image processing technology. EggCam has a high resolution view of a defined stretch of the egg belt and is thus able to capture every egg on the belt as a whole. The EggCam can be installed on the longitudinal belt in every tier or on the cross belt. It works on belt or rod conveyors with a width of up to 14 cm. According to BD it has over 99% counting accuracy, enables easy detection of contamination sources and works in the dark thanks to its invisible infrared technology. When linked to the amacs management system, accurate statistical analysis of the flock can be obtained. The EggCam was awarded with a Gold Medal by EuroTier.

7 “Eco-Drive” is Petersime’s latest innovation assuring that the energy consumption of pulsator motors is reduced by 50% without having influence on chick quality. It is standard on all new AirStreamer setters and hatchers and can also be retrofitted to existing systems.

Both at the beginning and during the end phase of the incubation process, a high number of revs are needed to make optimal use of the respective heating and cooling. Because that need reduces considerably during the less critical stages of the incubation process (e.g. after cell division stage in the setter and before pipping in the hatcher), power consumption and thus electricity consumption of the pulsator motor is reduced to a minimum. If Eco-Drive allows the motor e.g. to run 20% slower, then consumption is reduced by 50%.

8 LYRA-T is the new pan feeder from SKA, developed to feed turkeys during their entire growing period. The main innovation element of this feeder is the drop tube which is approximately 80 mm longer. It allows turkeys during the adult stage, to eat without been hampered by the feeding pipes.

The upper part of the drop tube has been considerably strengthened to avoid instability or breaking of the fixing system between pan feeder and pipe.

9 Another innovation from SKA is the VEGA female breeder feeder. It can feed 16 birds of any size. The top cover has several holes to make feed visible, while the shape of the side openings allows female breeders easy access to feed, without getting accidentally hurt, and at the same time eliminating any wastage. The width and height of the slots is fully adjustable with a simple operation, preventing male breeders from feeding from VEGA. The pan itself (D 40 cm) has been designed to equally divide the birds around it, with deeper slots in front of each opening, and with a central cone that significantly reduces quantity of feed in the drop tube. Feed level can be set on three different levels, an operation that can be done any time during the cycle.