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February 2012
Less boar taint with the TOPIGS Nador concept
TOPIGS introduces the Nador concept. Nador makes it possible to sort and use finisher boars that produce offspring with 40% less boar taint. This innovation minimises one of the challenges of producing with non-castrated male finishers. TOPIGS is the first breeding company to offer this solution for boar taint.
Nador will first be introduced to the Top Pi (Netherlands) and SNW Pietrain-Select (Germany) lines because the Pietrain is the most used finisher boar in the Netherlands and Germany. The concept will then soon be introduced to the Tempo and Talent boars as well.
The Nador concept also contains a tracking and tracing system. Thanks to this system meat processors can be given guarantees that the slaughter pigs are bred with TOPIGS boars within the Nador concept.
TOPIGS Philippines imports top genetics for San Miguel Foods, Inc.
TOPIGS Philippines recently imported 1111 top SPF genetics from Canada to set up a new nucleus farm for San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) in the Isabela province of the country. Thanks to this import, San Miguel can produce their own grandparent and parent breeding pigs for the realisation of their expansion plans through to 2020.
For the past two years, TOPIGS has supplied gilts and boars for the replacement requirements of San Miguel. The initial results of the performance of these animals were reflected in substantial improvements in the operation of the nucleus farm as well as further opportunities to achieve higher results.
Third TOPIGS import into China in three months
TOPIGS has imported 550 more top breeding pigs into China. This is the third import transaction in three months. The pigs were imported from the TOPIGS high health SPF nucleus farms in Canada and were delivered to a feed company in Shanghai that has built a brand new breeding farm. These imported breeding pigs will become the top of an integrated pork production pyramid.
TOPIGS is continuing to build up its presence in China, the world’s biggest market for breeding pigs. This third successful import in a row means that a total of 2050 TOPIGS breeding animals have been imported in three months.
New structure for TOPIGS research, support and development department
TOPIGS has given its research, support and development department a new structure. Hans Olijslagers (CTO) is now responsible for three departments: Research, GN Group (Genomic Nucleus) and Support. Egbert Knol will become head of the Research Department, which is responsible for research, development and contact with universities and research institutes. Technical Support, under the management of Michiel Westerhof, is responsible for product development, support and service. The new department Genetic Nucleus Group is responsible for breeding, genetic improvement and the entire TOPIGS breeding programme. Arjan Neerhof is the head of this department. This new structure will make it easier to adapt to the demands of our clients for support and assistance. Furthermore, with the introduction of genomic selection to our breeding programme TOPIGS will be able to realise genetic progress even faster and better still. |
TOPIGS Polska
TOPIGS has started a daughter company in Poland. TOPIGS owns a SPF breeding company in Poland that produces a large amount of breeding material for the local market and for export to Russia.
There is a considerable demand for TOPIGS genetics in Poland. The larger pig farms are rapidly becoming more professional and require modern highly productive genetics such as that from TOPIGS.
The pig breeding industry there is developing rapidly and big integrations are increasing their production. This demand can be satisfied by producing very large quantities of SPF breeding material in Poland.
BIG Challenge
BIG Challenge is an initiative by the pig breeding industry against cancer. On 6 and 7 June 2012, 169 cyclists from the pig breeding industry (including pig farmers, vets, feed advisors, journalists and researchers) will climb the Alpe d’Huez as often as possible to collect money for cancer research. Eight TOPIGS employees (Felix Bruijnen, Fons Mouwen, Frank Franssen, Geert van den Broek, Kasper Bekker, Lei Timmermans, Naomi Duyvestein and Ton van Erp) aim to collect 40,000 euros. TOPIGS wishes them good luck with this noble goal! More info can be found at www.bigchallenge2012.nl. Click on team TOPIGS. On this website you can also make a donation.
EuroTier
TOPIGS will have a stand at EuroTier 2012, the world’s top event for animal production. This event will take place from 13 to 16 November 2012 in Hannover, Germany.
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