PVL's projects
With the designation of the focus areas for 2017, it appeared that, based on area, a large share of the new focus areas for groundwater in Flanders are located in northern Limburg. Despite heavy efforts from the government and the agricultural sector (leaching schemes, buffer zones, etc.), the number of MAP monitoring points in which the permissible nitrate concentration is exceeded has [...] in recent years.
Tackling nitrate problems Read More »
Use of feed pusher in dairy farming Dairy farming is a strong pillar in the Limburg agricultural sector. This versatile sector is also one of the main caretakers of the North Limburg agricultural landscape. In the post-quota era, it is even more important for dairy farming to demonstrate high efficiency and consequently economic output
In pig farming, weaning remains a critical period characterised by reduced feed intake and growth of piglets. The aim of this project is to reduce weaning stress through group rearing of piglets in the farrowing pen (multisuckling) and thus improve the zootechnical performance of piglets after weaning. Trial for
Multisuckling in piglets Read More »
Climate is the average weather condition over a period of several decades or longer. A key parameter in this is temperature. Apart from annual seasonal variations in weather patterns, climate is subject to change. Current climate change is manifested, among other things, by global warming, which is becoming increasingly noticeable. This warming is considered
Heat stress in fattening pigs Read More »
Investigation of composite level-controlled drainage as a function of crop yields and surface water quality Due to climate change, problems relating to soil desiccation on the one hand and waterlogged soil on the other are increasing. To improve this water management on agricultural plots, one possibility is drainage. With conventional drainage, there are
Level-controlled drainage Read More »
'Healthy claws in stables', a Flemish government demonstration project on the theme of sustainable agriculture and horticulture. The project started on 1 July 2015 and ended on 30 June 2017. The overall objective of this project was to raise awareness of claw problems in cattle on dairy farms to improve animal welfare,
Feed costs in pig farming account for 70-80% of total production costs. Part of the feed does not reach the pig's stomach but is lost. These losses can occur during production, storage, transport from silo to feed trough and through spillage during feed intake by the pigs. According to the literature
Feed consumption reduction as key to profitable pig production Read More »
Within the framework of the Strategic Action Plan Kwadraat (SALK), the province of Limburg has issued a project on sustainable use of animal manure. The project is implemented and coordinated by PVL in Bocholt and PIBO-Campus in Tongeren. In this project, manure flows in the province have been examined and ways of doing this in
Sustainable transport of livestock manure Read More »
The demonstration project 'Weeks systems: choice in function of profitability and labour' for the Sustainable Agricultural Development Department of the Ministry of the Flemish Community. The project started on 1 June 2014 and ends on 31 May 2016. The objectives of this project are to obtain better profitability of a pig farm by choosing the most suitable soaking system on the
Weekly systems: choice according to profitability and labour Read More »
Around 10 million fattening pigs were slaughtered in Belgium in 2016. It is important that these pigs grow up in optimal conditions so that they can maximise their growth potential. One parameter that can be used to control welfare and growth is light intensity. Currently, 2 light intensities are used in Flemish pig farms. In stalls
Influence of light intensity on performance of fattening pigs Read More »