FarrPro, an Iowa City-based agtech startup, has released the results of the second independent trial of its flagship Haven product.
The results of the trial showed reductions in both pre-wean mortality (20.6 %) and energy use (68%) compared to the heat lamp control. The trial was conducted in Illinois by Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions, the research division of Carthage Veterinary Service.
The trial followed a 2019 pilot study conducted by researchers from Iowa State University at a commercial breed to wean facility in Ogden, Iowa. The results of the ISU study were published in the scientific journal Animals last November and they also proved the FarrPro Haven reduced pre-wean mortality (PWM) by 20% and energy use by nearly 50% over the heat lamp control.
On average, commercial pork producers lose around 15% of newborn pigs in the first three weeks of life due to crushing and starvation.
“I have witnessed many worthy innovations for pig housing in my 35+ years of conducting research in this field and I can honestly say without question that the Haven product developed by FARRPRO is at the top in terms of innovation and the prospect for game-changing farrowing room productivity,” said Dr. Steven Hoff, retired Emeritus Professor of Agriculture & Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. “These recent findings, I believe, will propel the Haven system into a standard farrowing room item in the near future.”
To meet the growing demand for Haven units, FarrPro has expanded its sales and distribution network to include nationally recognized farm and livestock supplier’s QC Supply, Vittetoe, Inc. and Sitler’s LED Supply. FarrPro looks to continue to expand sales and distribution throughout the United States and into Canada and Europe over the next 12 months.
“Partnering with top-tier distributors for the Haven is huge, but we are really only getting started. Later this year we will launch the Smart Haven – the industry’s first automated health management system.”
Previous coverage
FarrPro wins Canadian Pork Innovation Award -Jan. 15, 2020
FarrPro successfully wraps up seed investment round -June 29, 2018