Suffolk-based pig equipment company Quality Equipment (QE) has just notched up more than £250,000 worth of high-tech exports to Japan.
In the past two years, more than 200 automatic feeders for young pigs have been delivered. The latest consignment followed a visit by Glyn Baker and Michael Mattmüller of QE to the company’s Japanese distributor, Global Pig Farms.
Global Pig Farms had earlier purchased the Transition feeders and found they were so successful they started supplying them to other pig farmers.
The award-winning feeders were developed by QE’s own research and development department at the firm’s Woolpit manufacturing base. They have an intelligent control mechanism that helps newly-weaning young piglets make the transition from mother’s milk to solid feed. Piglets are vulnerable at this stage and the feeders provide a warm gruel on a little-and-often basis, mimicking the sow’s own feeding pattern.
The feeders have since sold all over the world.
The aim of the Japanese visit was to strengthen the relationship, get a better picture of Japanese requirements and provide technical back-up.
“While UK pig farmers have strict legislation, the Japanese have obstacles, particularly in relation to feed and water quality, that are frightening by comparison,” Mr Mattmüller said. “Global Pig Farms has secured rewards despite constraints by supporting its farmers and producing a special brand of pork.”