63 ROTECNA WORLD by Rotecna, s.a.

“WITH

June 2025

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Rotecna continues to be committed to being present in those markets with signi cant pork production, so we continue to invest in participating in reference fairs for the industry. In this context, our recent participation in FIGAN has been an excellent opportunity to reaf rm our position in the national market, showcase our most innovative solutions and strengthen our connection with professionals in the industry. Moreover, we have been to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines (Iowa), together with our distributor in the country, to present the brand’s novelties and show our commitment to the industry of continuous improvement. We export technology but also have experience and vision for the future.

On the other hand, applying new technologies and arti cial intelligence on farms is positioned as key tools for more ef cient, sustainable and precise production. Solutions such as Rotecna’s Bodycheck system, which we present in this issue and which allows the evaluation of the bodily condition of animals through arti cial vision, represent a qualitative leap in the management of the feeding of sows in group gestation, offering multiple bene ts for both animals and farmers. Automating processes allows you to reduce labour costs, optimise and maximise sows’ productivity, and guarantee animal welfare.

Animal welfare is precisely one of the fundamental pillars on which the future of pork production is based, and in this issue, we address this subject with special awareness. We talked to those responsible for the European WelFarmers project, an international initiative in which several countries participate to advance more respectful and sustainable livestock practices without losing sight of the industry’s economic viability. This type of initiative reinforces a shared vision towards modern pork production, committed and prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Antonio Pinos, CEO, Rotecna.

4. Rotecna News

Rotecna promotes pig innovation at FIGAN and World Pork Expo.

6. Something About

La Transsegre, a festival on the Segre river.

8. Technology

Bodycheck. Individual electronic feeding for sows in group gestation according to body condition determined by image.

12. Global Pig

S. Martos: “With the TR3D, we have no feed waste; it can be easily regulated, and the animals adapt very quickly”.

14. Future News

J. Lorente: “We want to offer solutions that improve animal welfare without compromising production efficiency”.

18. Pig Production in...

The United States, a global power in the pork industry.

Rotecna World

Director: Antonio Pinos.

Editor: Francisco García, Tamara Lombardo.

Translation: Sam Smith.

Print: Imprenta Barnola.

L-41-2007

Rotecna's World's editors accept no liability for contributor's opinion.

DIGITAL VERSION /issuu.com/rotecnapress

ROTECNA PROMOTES PIG INNOVATION AT FIGAN AND WORLD PORK EXPO

Innovation doesn’t stop, and neither do we. In recent weeks, we have brought our most advanced solutions for pig production to two of the most influential venues in the industry: FIGAN in Zaragoza and the World Pork Expo in Des Moines (USA). Both fairs have allowed us to present our technological innovations, share experiences with professionals worldwide, and strengthen relationships with those who trust our yield daily.

Our presence at these events is another example of our commitment to continuous improvement, sustainability

Our presence at these events is another example of our commitment to continuous improvement.

and the development of tools that provide real value to pig farms, inside and outside our borders.

FIGAN

Once again, we have participated in FIGAN, the International Fair for Animal Production held in Zaragoza (Spain). This key event for livestock farming in southern Europe has been the ideal environment to present the latest developments of our brand in pig equipment, exchange ideas, and strengthen the relationship with customers, distributors and technicians in the industry.

Among the developments that have generated the most interest is the new Bodycheck system, based on artificial intelligence, which allows the body condition of sows to be automatically detected in groups. This tool makes it possible to have a fully autonomous individualised electronic feeding, which is a significant advance in terms of animal welfare and efficiency in management.

Another of our most valued novelties is the SensoriTronic range of wireless sensors, which enables monitoring environmental and

Rotecna team at FIGAN 2025. Photo: Rotecna.

consumption parameters from anywhere, thanks to IoT technology. This solution allows you to have control of the farm in real time, anticipate incidents and act proactively without the need to be physically on the farm.

We also present RotecnaCloud, a digital platform that allows us to manage all our electronic systems from any device with an internet connection. With a secure and accessible interface, this tool offers centralised control of the equipment, optimises times and improves day-to-day decision-making.

In addition to presenting our products, FIGAN has been an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with the industry and listen to the market’s needs. During the four days the fair lasted, our stand became a meeting point for hundreds of professionals interested in our proposals for a more efficient, sustainable and respectful production with animal welfare. Our sales and technical teams were available to answer questions, show how our products work, and explain their performance, maintenance, and ease of use advantages.

One of the highlights of FIGAN was the presence of international customers who visited the exhibition. These events are technological showcases and key spaces for dialogue, collaboration and expansion into new markets.

World Pork Expo

A few weeks after FIGAN, we crossed the Atlantic to participate in the World Pork Expo, the most crucial American pork fair, held in Des Moines, Iowa. This event brings together the leading players in the pork industry worldwide, and our participation has reinforced our position as an international benchmark brand.

Our objective at this event was to consolidate our presence in North America, a region with a high level of technification and a significant demand for solutions that combine efficiency, durability and control in handling. During the event, we presented a selection of products specially adapted to the needs of the U.S. market, with a particular focus on wet and dry feeding systems and environmental control elements.

The World Pork Expo was also an excellent opportunity to meet again with distributors and strategic and technical partners from the continent and to establish contact with new integrators interested in reliable and efficient solutions for large-scale farms. Our products’ good reception and customizability reflect our growth potential in this region.

With our participation in FIGAN and the World Pork Expo, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation and customer proximity nationally and internationally. A strategy that boosts our role as a benchmark in designing and manufacturing solutions for modern, efficient and sustainable pork production.

Rotecna at WPE. Photo: Rotecna.

SOMETHING ABOUT

LA TRANSSEGRE , A FESTIVAL ON THE SEGRE RIVER

Its essence lies in a non-competitive descent down the Segre River, where participants build homemade boats.

The Transsegre is held over a weekend in July and comprises several activities. Photo: Transsegre.

The Transsegre is one of the most symbolic festivals in Balaguer and the region of La Noguera. Held annually since 1985, this event combines sport, creativity, and music and has evolved from a local initiative to become a model celebration in Catalonia.

Its essence lies in a non-competitive descent down the Segre River, where participants build homemade boats with original and creative designs. These boats travel the river in a festive and comradeship atmosphere.

Origins and evolution

The Transsegre was born in 1985. A group of young people with a festive spirit decided to organise a descent down the river, aiming to revitalise the summer in Balaguer and shaping what today has become one of Catalonia’s most unique and beloved popular festivals.

Over time, the event has gained participation, impact and organisation, attracting thousands of people annually. What began as a virtually improvised activity has evolved into a massive celebration with a solid structure combining tradition, humour, originality and a strong local identity. In its first editions, participation was unpretentious, but over the years, the festival has brought together more than 6,000 attendees, 230 boats and 1,770 crew members from all over Catalonia.

Event structure

Traditionally, the Transsegre is held over a weekend in July and comprises several activities spread over three days. Friday marks the start of the festivities, with musical performances and cultural activities in the Parc de la Transsegre, where participants and attendees gather to warm up in a relaxed atmosphere.

The main descent ensues on Saturday, starting from the Camarasa Reservoir and going to Sant Llorenç de Montgai. This section is one of the most emblematic moments of the festival, as the homemade boats decorated with all kinds of motifs travel along the river in an atmosphere full of originality, humour and good spirits. That same night, the party continues with concerts and shows that bring together thousands of people in the area set up for music and nightlife.

On Sunday, the second stage occurs between Sant Llorenç and Balaguer. This part of the route is usually the most followed by the public, who are found at strategic points of the river to enjoy the passage of the boats. The arrival at Balaguer culminates with the presentation of prizes for the most outstanding designs in categories such as originality, creation, or staging.

However, in recent editions, such as the 2024 edition, the structure has been modified by factors such as drought. In that year, the event was reduced to a single descent between Gerb and Balaguer, with a limit of one hundred boats and using identification chips to improve safety. These adjustments show how the Transsegre has adapted to the circumstances without losing its festive and participatory essence.

Cultural and social impact

The Transsegre is not only a festival but also a cultural event that promotes the recovery and recreational use of the Segre River. Over the years, it has strengthened local identity and promoted regional tourism. In addition, the participation of local groups, such as Jovent de Gerb, and the collaboration with the Paeria de Balaguer have been essential for its organisation and growth.

On a cultural level, the Transsegre has consolidated itself as a symbol of vindication of the rural world from a festive, creative, and contemporary perspective. It is a celebration deeply rooted in the region that has adapted to the passage of time without losing its original essence.

A living tradition with a future

Despite its growth, the Transsegre has maintained a self-managed and close structure. Its success lies in its authenticity, connection with the Segre’s natural environment and the enthusiasm of those who experience it, whether from an improvised boat or the riverbank. The event continues to evolve, but its core remains: celebrating summer with wit, community, and a great sense of humour.

A group of friends descending down the Segre. Photo: Transsegre.

Technology

BODYCHECK

Individual electronic feeding for sows in group gestation according to body condition determined by image.

Technology transforms how our farms are managed, improving their efficiency, sustainability and profitability. In the constant search for methods to optimise production and ensure animal welfare, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) at the farm level can be a key tool for farmers’ service. Rotecna has developed an individual electronic feeding system for sows in group gestation according to body conditions determined by image. The application of these intelligent systems allows for a more precise and individualised feeding according to the needs of each sow, automatically and objectively, without depending on the farmer’s evaluation and without the need to manually adjust the feed required by each animal to ensure that the sows maintain the ideal body condition for their optimal development, maximise their productivity throughout their lives and maximise the quality of the piglets they wean.

The bodily condition of sows during gestation is one of the leading indicators of good health and welfare. Keeping it at adequate levels is crucial for the productive performance of breeding sows. Correctly assessing this condition and adjusting their diet accurately and individually is essential because:

1. It ensures proper gilt development: The body condition of sows at first farrowing is one of the factors that most influence breeder performance throughout their productive life and the viability of the piglets they wean.

2. It improves the health of the sows: It is essential to maintain the proper body condition to guarantee the necessary energy reserves and ensure their health during gestation and lactation. This avoids problems arising from having too slim sows. One of them is low piglet weight at birth, insufficient milk production, or being too fat, which can lead to difficulties during farrowing and lower fertility in the future.

AI TO THE SLAT LEVEL

3. It improves productive performance: Maintaining an adequate body condition during pregnancy helps sows to generate adequate fetal development, good farrowing, and successful lactation and facilitates postpartum recovery. This is crucial to reduce piglet mortality, maximise their weaning weight, ensure that the sow can cycle correctly again and maintain good fertility and prolificacy in future gestations.

4. The optimisation of resources: Adjusting the amount of feed according to body condition prevents overconsumption or waste of feed. Feeding more feed to sows with good body condition can be unnecessary and inefficient while reducing the ratio of sows that need it can put their health at risk.

To address these needs, Rotecna has developed Bodycheck, an artificial intelligence system that is revolutionizing feed management in gestating sows.

HOW IT WORKS?

1. Visual monitoring: A camera installed in the Dositronic cage takes images of each sow when it enters to eat.

2. Automatic identi cation: The system identifies each sow individually using its electronic ear tag and the Dositronic antenna.

3. Body condition assessment: AI analyses images to assess the sow’s body condition in real-time.

4. Feed Adjustment: Based on this assessment, the system automatically adjusts the feed curve to suit the specific needs of the sow.

5. Monitoring of the evolution of body condition: Easy total control over the state and evolution of the body condition of all gestation groups.

BODYCHECK

ADVANTAGES

• Automation and elimination of subjectivity: It avoids subjectivity in user visual evaluation and overcomes the limitations of traditional methods, such as using callipers or grease meters, which are not easy to implement, and doing it completely automatically.

• Accuracy and ef ciency: Thanks to artificial intelligence and automated deep learning, the system offers an accurate and reliable assessment of the body condition of sows, optimising feeding adaptively.

• Scalability and exibility: The system’s architecture allows it to be adapted to any breed or type of sows.

• Easy integration: The system is easily integrated into existing Dositronic G electronic power systems, ensuring uncomplicated implementation.

Implementing artificial intelligence in electronic feeding systems for pregnant sows represents a significant advancement in pork production, as it offers multiple benefits for animals and farmers. By allowing animals to be fed more precisely and tailored to the individual needs of each sow, AI not only improves animal health and welfare but also optimises resource efficiency, reducing costs and minimising waste.

In addition, monitoring feed and body condition data allows them to be analysed by cross-referencing them with others, such as productivity and costs, enabling producers to make decisions that maximise productivity and profitability. Scan the QR code with the mobile camera.

GLOBAL PIG

S. MARTOS: “WITH THE TR3D, WE HAVE NO FEED WASTE; IT CAN BE EASILY REGULATED, AND THE ANIMALS ADAPT VERY QUICKLY”

Sergi Martos has been responsible for fattening at the Cal General farm in Figuerola de Orcau (Lleida) for more than 25 years. After renovating the older buildings, they decided to install the TR3D feeder because of its easy regulation and the possibility of simultaneously placing it between pens to feed two groups of pigs independently.

Why did you decide to commit yourself to livestock?

In 1999, I finished my studies and decided to start working. That’s when I got the chance to work in this closed-loop farm, and since then, I’ve

The Cal General farm in Figuerola de Orcau (Lleida) has a fattening facility with a capacity for 6,000 pigs.

been in charge of weaning and fattening at Cal General farm.

How is the farm distributed?

We have five warehouses with a capacity for about 6,000 pigs. The animals are distributed in three sheds of 1,200 pigs and two of 1,500. On the other hand, we have old weaning under construction to expand the fattening capacity by about 1,000 more places. When everything is finished, we will exceed 7,000 fattening spots.

How many people work in it?

Five people work on the farm; four are on the sow’s farm, with 1,000 sows. I am there

for weaning and fattening, and I have occasional help with vaccination, cleaning, and moving animals.

Why did you decide to install the TR3D feeder?

In 2023, we refurbished the two oldest fattening sheds and renewed the equipment. In addition, as we reorganised the distribution of the pen separators, the farm owner opted to purchase the TR3D feeders to install them between pens, as it is a double-sided feeder.

After this, what bene ts would you highlight from using TR3D?

It is a feeder that works well since we have no feed waste, it can be easily regulated, and

Sergi Martos is responsible for fattening. Photo: Rotecna.

the animals adapt quickly. The truth is that we are delighted with it. Moreover, it is a doublesided feeder, which can be set between two pens, allowing us to feed two groups of pigs at the same time independently.

How have the animals adapted to the feeder?

Easy feeder adjustment is key to good pig adaptation. From the beginning, when the animals enter fattening, we leave the regulation open so they can easily find food. Later, we will regulate it gradually so as not to waste feed. In a few days, the pigs get used to eating from the feeder without the problems of animals being left behind and with a reasonable conversion rate.

In addition to this solution, what other products has Rotecna installed on the farm?

We also have the TR2 in fattening and the TR4 in weaning. In farrowing, we have practically everything from Rotecna, for example, the first-age pans for the piglets, dispensers, heating plates, etc.

In general, what do you value about Rotecna? It offers very durable products. I have been working on this farm since 1999, and we have always worked with Rotecna products. The truth is that they work very well. We are happy.

Talking about health, what are your main concerns?

As with all farms, PRRS is currently our primary health concern. To combat its entrance, we implement biosecurity measures such as perimeter fencing, monitoring the entry of people outside the farm, disinfection of trucks, changes of clothes and boots of personnel, frequent changes of injectable material, etc.

What future challenges do you face?

We are finishing the expansion in both farrowing wards, which we will expand from 155 to 210 places, and the fattening area, where the expansion will allow us to exceed 7,000 places.

Exterior view of the farm’s fattening sheds. Photo: Rotecna.

The TR3D is a double-sided dry feeder. Photo: Rotecna.

FUTURE NEWS

J. LORENTE: “WE

WANT TO OFFER SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE ANIMAL WELFARE WITHOUT COMPROMISING PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY”

Eight European countries have joined the WelFarmers project to identify best practices in four key areas of animal welfare.

The European WelFarmers project, in which eight countries participate, aims to identify, evaluate and disseminate good practices that improve animal welfare in pig farms. Funded by the European Union, the project focuses on four key themes: cage removal, prevention of tail docking, painless castration and improvement of space per animal. Javier Lorente, technical director of 333 Academy and one of the people responsible for the project in Spain, together with ANPROGAPOR and the University of Murcia, explains how the initiative is being developed and what impact is expected to be achieved.

What impact is expected to be achieved on animal welfare in the European pig industry? We want to collect, systematise and share strategies and tools already successfully implemented in some farms and regions of Europe so that producers in all the countries participating in the project can adopt them more widely whenever their application is feasible. These strategies cover multiple areas, from facility design to management, genetics and nutrition, and aim to improve animals’ living conditions. We want to offer practical and adaptable solutions that allow

farmers to improve animal welfare without compromising production efficiency.

Regional networks are key players in this project. How are they structured?

Eight European countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain) are participating in the project, each forming a regional network. This allows us to consider regions’ productive, climatic and structural differences. Each network includes largescale and small farms to assess varied and adaptable approaches according to the context. These networks comprise two types of actors: a university or research centre and, conversely, the pig producers’ association of

Javier Lorente, technical director of 333 Academy. Photo: J.L.

the country concerned. Farmers play a central role. In the first phase of the project, they helped identify the main challenges around the four key themes of the project, contributing their direct experience from the field. In addition, producers actively collaborate by sharing the practices they are already implementing on their farms related to one or more of these topics. It is a very participatory project built from the pork industry, with the active commitment of the producer associations of all the countries involved.

How do the thematic groups work, and what kind of actors participate?

For each of the four themes of the project, a specific group has been constituted, made up of a set of players in the industry: farmers, advisors, veterinarians and researchers, all of them selected for their experience and knowledge in each thematic area. Its primary function is to assess good practices collected by regional networks in different countries. In the first phase, these networks identify and select outstanding practices in their respective national contexts and transfer them to the

thematic groups for analysis. Ninety-six good practices from the eight participating countries have been put on the table. The thematic groups are tasked with reviewing, evaluating and prioritising them to identify those with the most significant potential for impact, replicability and feasibility. Ultimately, they will select the most relevant practices to be promoted at the European level.

What criteria are used to select the most innovative good practices in pig farms?

We have defined three key criteria to evaluate and select the good practices that are being implemented on farms. The first is animal welfare. We want to ensure these practices improve the animals’ living conditions. To do this, we have the support of research groups, which use scientific indicators and markers to measure this impact objectively. The second criterion is economic viability. We are interested in a practice that works and can be implemented in the day-to-day life of a real farm. We analyse the cost of carrying it out and whether it is sustainable from an economic point

The project wants to share animal welfare strategies and tools already successfully implemented. Photo: Rotecna.

FUTURE NEWS

of view for the producer. And finally, we also value the environmental impact. Here, we study how each practice affects the environment. To apply these three criteria consistently and comparably, we have developed a standardised evaluation sheet, which allows us to evaluate each practice systematically and make evidence-based decisions.

How has the project developed so far?

The project was launched in early 2024. In September of the same year, we started collecting good practices on European pig farms. This process has actively involved the regional networks in each participating country. We are currently engaged in the first of the two major selection rounds that the project contemplates. As I mentioned, 96 good practices have been collected in this initial phase, which the thematic groups are evaluating. From this first selection, 20 finalists will be chosen, and then an additional choice will be made to select the 12 best practices, three for each of the four themes of the project. A second round is planned later, which will follow the same procedure. This second phase

will identify new good practices not detected in the first, thus expanding the project’s scope. A further 96 practices will be re-evaluated, from which a final selection of 12 will also be made. By the end of the project, scheduled for the end of 2026, we will have identified and awarded 24 good exemplary practices, which will serve as benchmarks for the European pork industry regarding animal welfare, economic viability and environmental sustainability.

What social and economic impact do you foresee these practices having on pig farms and the European market in general?

The most immediate and noticeable impact is the improvement of animal welfare, which is one of the fundamental pillars of the project. We are talking about practices such as reducing pain in procedures such as castration or increasing the space available for animals, which directly affect their quality of life. In addition, consumer perception and acceptance have a broader social impact, and there is an increasing social awareness of the importance of animal welfare, so we are also looking to make all the work already being done on European farms visible. From an economic point of view, the goal is to improve farm efficiency and productivity since these good practices not only benefit the animal but often also allow processes to be optimised, losses to be reduced and a more efficient use of resources to be made. Although the project does not pursue the creation of a specific seal or label, there can be a positive effect on the differentiation of the product. Farms that adopt these practices could better place themselves in particular markets, especially where consumers value animal welfare more. This can open doors to new market niches and improve the competitiveness of the European pork industry.

WelFarmers Project annual meeting. Photo: J.L.

THE UNITED STATES , A GLOBAL POWER IN THE PORK INDUSTRY

The North American country is the second-largest producer of pork and the first exporter worldwide.

The United States has positioned itself as a strong world power in the pork industry. Its significance in the production, consumption and export of pork places it as a global benchmark. This positioning is due to an efficient production structure and strong domestic demand. However, in recent years, trade conflicts and tariff policies have introduced new challenges for this strategic industry.

Size of the industry

In 2024, the United States produced 12.7 million tons of pork, making it the world’s second-largest producer, behind only China. Its industry

is supported by some 60,000 farms, with a total census of 76.1 million pigs. This translates into an average of 1,268 pigs per farm, reflecting a highly technical and professionalised production system.

The magnitude of the industry is also seen in the number of annual slaughters, which exceeds 137 million heads, and in the remarkable contribution to the national economy. It generates around 577,000 jobs, including direct, indirect and induced, and contributes about 64,000 million dollars to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This economic

relevance makes the U.S. pork industry a key part of its agrifood structure.

Consumption

The United States also consumes large amounts of pork. In 2024, domestic consumption stood at 10.34 million tonnes, of which 94.3% was supplied by domestic production. Only 5.7% of consumption came from imports, demonstrating a high food self-sufficiency level in this area.

Per capita consumption of pork is around 30.8 kilos per year, which places it as the second most consumed meat in the country, behind chicken (58.2 kg/person/year) and ahead of beef (37.5 kg/person/ year). In addition, according to OECD and FAO projections, this consumption is expected to grow at a rate of 1.3% per year between 2024 and 2034, driven by a strong HORECA channel (hotels, restaurants and

Inside a fatteting barn in United States. Photo: Rotecna.

cafeterias) and by a growing interest of the U.S. consumer in gourmet and differentiated products.

The consumption of pork derivatives is also of great relevance. It was estimated at 2.6 million tons, valued at nearly 20,500 million dollars in 2023. Cured hams and shoulders accounted for 1.5 million tonnes, while sausages and vacuumpacked products reached 920,000 tonnes.

The U.S. pig industry faces significant challenges from trade conflicts and tariff policies.

Market

The great North American country covers its domestic demand and is the world’s largest exporter of pork, with around 3.03 million tonnes exported in 2024. Despite this, it also imports certain products to complement its domestic offer. In this regard, that same year, imports reached 640,500 tonnes, with an approximate value of 2,126 million euros.

Its leading suppliers were Canada (66.8%), Mexico (9.3%), Brazil (7.5%), Denmark (4.8%) and Italy (2.9%). Spain ranked seventh with a share of 1.8%, with exports of 10,070 tonnes worth €79.4 million. This high unit value (€7.9/ kg) is due to the high component of cured products in the Spanish supply, such as hams and sausages, representing 23% of the volume and 43% of the total value exported.

Despite the low market share, Spanish exports to the U.S. grew by 40% between 2019 and

2024, reflecting a growing interest in Iberian products, especially in areas with a sizeable Hispanic population or lofty purchasing ability.

Trade conflicts and tariff policies

The U.S. pork industry faces significant challenges from trade conflicts and tariff policies. Tensions with countries such as China have affected the flow of exports, especially after the imposition of mutual tariffs by the Trump administration. These protectionist measures have increased export costs and, in some cases, led to the cancellation of large orders. In addition, rivalry with other major producers, such as Brazil and the European Union, complicates the competitiveness of U.S. products. Despite this, the industry continues to look for alternatives through market diversification and product innovation to counteract these obstacles.

Prospects

Pork production is expected to reach $28.1 billion, a slight decline of 1.2% from 2024, while domestic consumption will remain relatively stable, with a slight increase projected to $51.2 per capita. Despite being the world’s largest exporter, with 3.03 million tonnes in 2024, the industry is affected by international competition and tariff policies. Exports could decline due to the dollar’s appreciation and rivalry with markets such as Brazil and Spain. In addition, production costs continue to be challenging because they influence profit margins. However, producers will seek to adapt through innovation and market diversification, which presents challenges and opportunities.

Source: Interpoc and USDA.