Call to pig farmers: Do you know how well your business model matches your manure bank declaration?

For the Nutrient bear demonstration project we are looking for 10 pig farms where we will scrutinise the manure bank declaration to see how well it matches the real situation on the farm.
In addition, based on this calculation, we want to see if you qualify for emission reduction based on low protein consumption.

What are we going to do?

Real VS. calculated fattening composition:

Several research results have already shown that there are large differences between farms in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus excretion. However, excretion rates have been generalised across farms.

In this step, we look at the difference between the actual fertiliser composition resulting from fertiliser analyses of your farm and the calculated fertiliser composition of the manure bank declaration.

Nutrient balance system: regression VS. AVVT

Most pig farmers use the regression method in the manure bank declaration where nutrient excretions are calculated based on feed composition, feed consumption and average animal numbers present.

In addition to the classical regression method, there is also the possibility of creating a nutrient balance system through the ‘Other Feed and Feeding Techniques’ (AVVT), in which a complete input and output is prepared of all animal and feed contents entering and leaving the farm.

By working as accurately as possible based on the phosphorus and nitrogen contents of both feeds and animals, a fairly realistic picture is given of how the nutrient flow manifests itself within the farm.

By comparing these two methods side by side, we can determine which balance sheet system best suits your business model.

Note: It is not mandatory to switch to the AVVT nutrient balance system for your official manure bank declaration when participating in this project.