EURO-FARM – THE STABLES OF THE FUTURE

STABLE BUILDINGS: Standardised houses were first built for humans, now standardised stables are being built for livestock. Euro-Farm from Graakjær Staldbyg is a revolutionary building concept which reduces the cost of stable building by 30%

In spring 2005, Graakjær Staldbyg in Holstebro was awarded the Agromek Prize 2005 at northern Europe’s largest fair for agricultural technology, for its Euro-Farm building concept, the first ever standardised stable concept for pig producers.

     “We did know that we had launched a good project, but were actually slightly surprised that it was received that well, and that we had got it that right,” says John Graakjær, owner and director of Graakjær Staldbyg A/S. “On the other hand it just proves that we are those necessary couple of steps ahead.”

Thoroughly prepared
Structural changes in the agricultural sector are happening rapidly at present, both in Europe and a number of countries outside Europe. Production units become ever larger, and demands on production and working environment are sharpening – in particular for greater efficiency and increased earnings.

     To meet these requirements, Graakjær Staldbyg A/S initiated development work a couple of years ago, which has now resulted in the Euro-Farm concept.

     “There isn’t another agricultural project which is as thoroughly prepared as ours,” says John Graakjær. “For 18 months, eight of our people worked on the development project, which additionally involved interplay with many agricultural experts, architects and designers as well as suppliers of special equipment. The result has become a stable concept adapted to future requirements, where we have standardised everything from the width of the building to the slurry sluices, layout and roof.”

Prefabrication
“We have combined the individual elements in a new way so that a standard concept is achieved across types of livestock. Stable width and ceiling height are for example identical regardless of whether the stable are for sows, piglets or slaughter pigs, while all fixtures and divisions into sections are carried out in the building’s longitudinal direction. Floor, walls, ceiling and roof are built in elements which reduce construction time for the farmer by as much as 30%.” Most of the constructions are prefabricated indoors and supplied as assembly kits on the building site. It results in less dependency on weather conditions and authority controls, while at the same time ensuring better and more consistent quality.

     “Up to now stable building has been tailored to the individual pig producer,” says John Graakjær. “But if you look at the textiles industry – there are not many genuine tailors left. Standard products which fit to many people are produced. It is the same thing we have done with our stable concept. In addition to having optimised content and functionality, Euro-Farm is designed with a look created by architects and designers which fits into the surrounding landscape.”

Production guarantee
The Euro-Farm projects involve construction of buildings, stable layout and consultancy in connection with the production itself, including Graakjær Staldbyg’s guarantee of a given level of productivity with the right management.

“When we started development of the Euro-Farm concept, the principal idea was to make the concept as production-reliable as possible,” says John Graakjær. “We have combined our knowledge of pigs with layouts and solutions which are well-documented. We are thus able to link a production guarantee to the concept. If the result delivers less than what was expected, we are ready to offer help with commissioning the facility and following up on production.”

Key words
With a room height of 3 meters, the opportunity for floor extraction in all stable sections, and shared air purification via extraction channels, Euro-Farm creates a good working environment for the staff and good living conditions for the animals.

     “Standardisation has been a keyword for us,” says John Graakjær. “It is the only way to achieve competitive prices on stable buildings in the future, since custom-made stables will always be more expensive and not so optimised as a thought-through concept stable.”

     In the 30 years Graakjær Staldbyg A/S has existed, the company has built around 2,500 stables and industrial buildings. There are stable buildings from Graakjær in all Scandinavian countries, Germany, Poland, Holland and a number of central and eastern European countries.

Pioneers in Ukraine Ukraine could become the shop window for efficient future pig production with Euro-Farm as the centrepiece. Ukraine’s agricultural sector and agricultural authorities are so enthusiastic about Euro-Farm that up to 25 large pig farms based on John Graakjær’s building concept could become a reality in a few years. “There is a very large market in both Ukraine and Russia where a growing middle class makes ever increasing demands for better food products,” says John Graakjær. “All the conditions for building efficient pig production are present, and there is a great desire to invest. We proved that when 25 Ukrainian governors visited us in the spring. After the visit we signed a statement of intent regarding the introduction of Euro-Farm in Ukraine. Currently we are preparing proposals for two projects in Ukraine, and we hope that more will follow. As a result we are building up our organisation in Ukraine, and seeking staff who have knowledge of the country.”