In Cantabria, a region with a strong tradition in milk production, Granja San Martín SC represents the third generation of a family dedicated to dairy farming. Dairy cow lighting plays a key role in improving animal welfare and productivity in modern dairy farms.

At the head of the farm is Rubén, who took over the family business with a clear commitment to the sector.

“I am the third generation dedicated to dairy farming. I have taken over from the previous generations. I have been fully dedicated to the farm since I was 17, and now I am in charge of the operation.”

Like many farms in the sector, the journey has not always been easy, but continuous work and a focus on improvement have helped consolidate the project.

“If we look back, we have gone through difficult times, but currently we are in a good moment.”

Innovation as a way forward

Today, Granja San Martín SC is a highly technified and fully automated dairy farm. For Rubén, innovation is not just a trend but a fundamental part of daily farm management.

“Innovation is very important to me. I have a fully robotised farm and I believe that small details are what make the difference.”

With this mindset, Rubén started to focus on improving an often underestimated aspect of dairy farm management: lighting and photoperiod control.

“I had been thinking for a long time about improving the photoperiod management for the cows.”

After researching different solutions online, he discovered the Hato RUDAX lighting system.

The importance of lighting in dairy farming

In a dairy farm, lighting does much more than simply illuminate the barn. Proper photoperiod management has a direct impact on:

• Animal behaviour and mobility
• Feed intake
• Milk production
• Fertility
• Overall animal welfare inside the barn

The Hato RUDAX system is specifically designed for demanding livestock environments. It is a robust lighting solution built to withstand humidity and dust while enabling efficient light management and photoperiod programs adapted to dairy cattle production.

After its installation at Granja San Martín SC, Rubén highlights the system’s reliability:

“It seems like a robust, high-quality system with good service.”

Trusting Aviporc

Rubén first discovered the system while researching online, but the final decision was influenced by the need for an experienced technical partner.

“I first came across the system while searching for information on the internet.”

Why choose Aviporc for the installation?

“Mainly because of their experience in other well-established livestock sectors.”

From the beginning, the project was based on technical advice and continuous support.

“The experience has been very good. From the very beginning they informed me very well and we were in permanent contact.”

At Aviporc, every project is approached individually, analysing the specific needs of each farm and providing technical solutions adapted to its daily operation and long-term goals.

First results after installation

Although production results need time to be fully evaluated, the first visible changes appeared shortly after the system was implemented.

“The first immediate effect is the mobility of the animals. They seem calmer and more confident.”

The medium-term goal is clear:

“We expect to improve feed intake and therefore production and fertility.”

Lighting management is an important element among the different factors that influence performance in a modern dairy farm.

Technology serving farm efficiency

The installation of the Hato RUDAX lighting system at Granja San Martín SC is a clear example of how well-applied innovation can become a strategic tool in modern dairy farming.

Because in today’s farms, every detail matters.
And lighting is part of that continuous improvement.

At Aviporc, we have specialised in equipping pig farms since 1984 and we are constantly updating our equipment to make the latest installations in terms of technology.

We would like to highlight the following equipment on this ship:

?????????? ?????: Electronic feeding system for pregnant/breeding sows. Pneumatic gate with additional mechanical locking to ensure that only one sow can enter the feeding station.
Designed for smaller groups of 20-60 sows, as it is suitable for small batches.

?????: Ventilation control computer with curves and heating plates.
This device can be used in both #lambing and #weaning rooms. It has internet communication, so you can consult your farm data from any smartphone or computer.

?????: Air inlet control motor for forced ventilation. It has a mechanical failure alarm as well as an emergency and anti-suffocation system in case of electrical failure.

Today we introduce you to the owner of this impressive farm.

Jesus Doyagüe Santamaría, 27, whose journey in this world began when he was just a child, tells us.

Since I was a child, thanks to my father who had a pig farm, I have lived and felt what this sector is. It was there that I discovered what I wanted to dedicate my professional life and my future to, so whenever I have had the opportunity, I have taken advantage of it.

I started working hand in hand with my father when I was just 20 years old, learning every professional secret in the care of these animals. Today, I am the owner of three pig farms, including this latest major project, carried out with the help of Aviporc. The reason I chose them is simple, we have always worked together on other projects and I value the proximity, service and availability they have with the client. 

La granja, se divide en:

One of the differences since I started this work is the technological progress in the farms. The last one we have done is equipped with Schauer electronic feeding machines. These machines make work much easier, as having everything computerised helps to have the data you need at any time, both for the farm itself and for the animal.

We currently employ two people, but I am actively looking for new employees to help us in the daily work with these animals.

Being so young and liking my job motivates me to continue to achieve new challenges, the next one I have in mind is an extension of thesenaves.

We wish you all the best of luck and that you continue to count on us.

We’re one of the leading companies in the sector, because we supply the most innovative farm equipment quickly, efficiently and individually to each customer.

Always with our sights set on the latest technological advances in the sector, our main objective is to stay close to our customers, so that wherever they are, they have modern and adapted facilities at their disposal.

Being a reference in the pig and poultry sector, we opened our line of business to give more service to the bovine customer, both milk and fattening, equipment and turnkey.

Álvaro Gil, as Aviporc’s Specialist Cattle Technician.

Álvaro Gil, as Aviporc’s Technical Specialist in Cattle, is the one who accompanies the customer in this personalised experience.

To get to know him a little better, we asked him the following questions:

Question: How is the implementation of Aviporc in the beef sector?

Response. The truth is that since this new line of business was created in January 2021, the acceptance by the sector has been overwhelming.

I believe that our business concept and the breadth of products and services we provide is being very well received by farmers, who are looking for a serious company, which provides them with all the necessary equipment and thus saves them from having to negotiate with different suppliers.

Our alliance with the best European manufacturers in the sector, together with a great technical team of fitters and an after-sales service of immediate attention, differentiate us from our direct competition.

Q. What kind of products do you specialise in?

R. Within our wide range of products, we also offer installation and maintenance services, of which we can highlight:

• Own made hoppers and drinking troughs
• Cable and hydraulic scrapers
• Ventilation / air conditioning systems
• Automatic feed storage and distribution systems
• Dairy cattle housing and feedlots
• Weighing and level measuring equipment
• Slurry management
• Water tanks
• Complete turnkey project

We’re currently official distributors of the best brands in the European market, such as Exte Holz, Jourdain, Schauer, Rotecna, La Buvette, Huesker, etc.

(click here to discover more products)

Q. What services do you offer in this sector? Both beef and dairy cattle.

R. In addition to distributing and manufacturing all types of equipment. We also carry out turnkey projects, taking care of everything from the levelling of the land to the final commissioning of the project.

During this first year 2021 we have closed several turnkey projects such as feedlots of more than 1400 places or several extensions of dairy cattle sheds.

Another strong point is that our technical service is constantly deployed throughout Castilla y León.

PROCLEANER is a powerful, flexible and reliable washing robot for pig farms. It’s a cleaning machine capable of cleaning a wide range of pig facilities.

To know it in operation, we visited the sow farm of Cristina Tuda, a member of Cobadu, so that she could tell us first-hand about her experience with the washing robot.

DESCRIBE YOUR FARM

It’s a sow farm.

With a capacity of 750 adults and 100 replacements.

The farm has six sheds where different jobs are carried out.

Q. DO YOU WORK WITH ANY GROUPS OR INTEGRATORS?

R. Yes, we are integrated with Cobadu.

Q. AS A FARM EXPERT, WHAT WOULD YOU HIGHLIGHT ABOUT THE WAREWASHING ROBOT? WHAT ARE ITS STRENGTHS? WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT IT?

R. To start with, I would highlight the time saved and the efficiency.

Once it is up and running, you don’t have to keep an eye on it and it allows you to perform other tasks.

The quality of the wash is always higher, compared to manual washing, thanks to its speed programming or the direction in which you need to direct the nozzles. These are just a few of the many advantages.

Q. ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE ROBOT’S CLEANLINESS?

R. Yes, even if you have to manually go over small details that the robot can’t reach. Even so, the time saved in labour is very noticeable.

Q. IS THE FARM CLEANING ROBOT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE FOR THE FIRST TIME?

R. No, it’s very simple, we didn’t have any problems. From the first day we found it very easy and comfortable to use.

In addition, any operator who has had to learn the operation of the warewashing robot at the first start-up has been able to retain all the details.

Q. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF INCORPORATING THE ROBOT INTO FARM CLEANING?

R. The comfort of knowing that everything will be washed and any unforeseen circumstances will not hinder you from finishing the task on time.

P. HOW DOES IT AFFECT FARM WORKERS?

R. All points to highlight are positive. Both labour saving and biosecurity between different batches, as well as reducing possible diseases, which brings you to the same point, saving work on special care of the animals.

Q. HOW DO YOU RATE THE AFTER-SALES SERVICE?

R. To date we have not needed any after-sales service, but I am sure it would be very good, they have always been very friendly and helpful.

In conclusion, this washing robot is a great ally for the farm worker and farm tenants, significantly improving animal welfare.

This extension has been carried out on a maternity farm. They have a total of 224 farrowing crates have been installed in rooms of 28 places with a surface area of 6.25m². Each farrowing has a dimension of 2.40 x 2.60.

This type of farrowing pen allows the sow and her piglets to remain free during lactation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WELFARE FARROWING CRATE:

The welfare farrowing house made of galvanised iron. It’s adapts perfectly to the different sizes of the square, which makes it perfect for new installations as well as for renovations of existing farms.

All opening and closing mechanisms are easy to operate, so that the daily work of the farm staff is comfortable and handling time can be optimised to the maximum.

WELFARE HEATING SYSTEM:

The piglets have a heated area with a 1.50 x 40 stainless steel hot water plate separated from the mother’s area to avoid crushing. It’s possible to install a nest to improve the comfort of the piglets and to make better use of the heat from the plate. This make the system more efficient.

FLOOR AND SEPARATORS WELFARE FARROWING AREA:

The floor of the welfare farrowing pen is made of extra reinforced plastic grids and cast iron to support the weight of the sow; They are designed with a relief shape so that the sow doesn’t slip and can walk comfortably all over the pen.

Also, the separators in the farrowing area are made of 1.00 metre high green PP and 50 cm high PVC.. An anti-crush bar has also been installed to protect the piglets from being crushed.

FEEDING IN THE DELIVERY ROOM:

The feeding system is by means of a traction machine that distributes the feed through the simplex dispensers in each farrowing crate. The feed is dosed according to the curve assigned by the vet and is applied automatically at the set times with a motor that opens the dispensers.

VENTILATION IN THE MATERNITY WARD:

In addition, ventilation is carried out with motorised air inlets on both sides of the room and a central chimney that extracts the air to ensure the welfare of the animals and an optimal environment for them and the farm staff. All this is controlled by a climate computer which makes the ventilation and heating system more efficient.

SHED:

Size: 135 x 16 metres + technical rooms of 5 x 5 metres.

Features Broiler Shed:

• 50 mm panel façade, external colour of the building cream birasca and internal colour Pyrenean white.
• False ceiling sandwich panel 30 mm thick
• Cover panel 30 mm red colour
• Tunnel-type cooling, formed by elongation of gantry beams and skirt structure

FOOD AND WATER BROILER WAREHOUSE:

This shed is equipped with three silos with a capacity of seventeen tonnes. The feed is distributed via four 132-metre long feed lines with Chore-Time plates. As water is just as important as feed, five lines of Lubing drinking troughs of the same length have been installed.

LIGHTING IN THE CHICKEN SHED:

Lighting is a very important factor in the life of the chick, as good lighting has a positive effect on animal welfare. This is why we have equipped this house with CORAX lamps from Hato. This lamp increases the vision and performance of the birds. In conclusion, the welfare of the chicks is significantly improved. In addition, it has a service life of up to 50,000 hours with low replacement costs.

In addition, we would like to introduce you to its owner, ANTONIO GARCÍA, one of those 1,652 young people who have already taken up farming work in the year two thousand and twenty, whether in agriculture or livestock, according to data from the Junta de Castilla y León.

Interview with Antonio:

Question. Tell us, so that we can get to know you a bit Antonio, how old are you and what do you do for a living?

Answer. I am 23 years old and I work in the family agricultural business after finishing my studies in “Agricultural Production”.

Q. How did you become curious or interested in the world of livestock farming when you were so young?

A. Ever since I was a child I have loved animals. I always wanted to get into animal husbandry and have my own farm. After a lot of hard work, here it is.

Q. Why did you and your family decide to go into the poultry sector, especially in the world of chickens?

A. We opted for chickens in order to have a complementary activity to agriculture, as broilers are easier to handle. Moreover, thanks to the fact that the houses are becoming more and more computerised, this process is much simpler.

Q. Why did you choose Aviporc and especially Llave en Mano?

A. For the experience that Aviporc has in the livestock and farm equipment world – and in my case in the poultry sector – and for the professionalism, trust and facilities that the Turnkey department provided me with.

Q. Tell us a little about your ship (dimensions, capacity, etc.).

A. The shed is 135×16 metres plus technical rooms. It is a combitunel ventilation house and is equipped with herd lights, chore-time feeders, lubing drinkers, munters fans and efizone gas burners. The capacity is for about 32,000 chickens.

Q. How do you feel before you jump in for the first time and start this adventure?

A. Because I don’t have much experience, I am facing this adventure with concern and at the same time a lot of excitement because I am seeing how something I have always wanted is coming true.

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