Inside the Vechta showroom
In early September, OM-Medien editor Giorgio Tzimurtas visited the showroom of JYGA Tech Europe GmbH in Vechta, where Elmar Moormann and Cornelius Frenger demonstrated how the automated sow feeding system developed by Canadian manufacturer JYGA Technologies works in practice – from the gestation area through farrowing to rearing and finishing.
The principle is simple: every sow carries an ear transponder. Using a trigger in the trough, she calls up her individually calculated ration at defined times. The resulting data is transmitted via Wi-Fi to the management software. Whether with a handheld reader, the smartphone app, on the PC or directly via the keypad on the feeder, the farmer can see at a glance whether the animal has eaten her full allocation – and whether her feed curve needs adjusting.
Feeding as the key to welfare and performance
Feeding is a central factor in animal welfare – and in performance. Individually tailored, correctly managed feeding has been shown to extend the productive life of sows. At the same time, feeding behaviour acts as an early-warning indicator: when a sow deviates from her curve, that is often the first sign of an emerging health issue.
"If we treat the animals properly, they give it back to us," Elmar Moormann told OM-Medien. The human factor remains decisive, and the system supports it with clearly defined routines: a daily check of animal, trough and water via the transponder is all that is required. In addition, each farm receives its own feeding strategy for summer and winter, which is fine-tuned continuously on the basis of the reports the system generates.
"Keep it simple" – robust technology for everyday barn operations
- No cabling: Data is transmitted via Wi-Fi – no cables in the barn and no problems with rodents.
- Fail-safe: If the network goes down, the feeders continue to operate autonomously in solo mode and keep storing data locally.
- Round-the-clock service: A global team stretching from China to the USA is available seven days a week; the three service colleagues in Vechta communicate in several languages.
- Proven in practice: Every new development is trialled to market readiness on the company's own farms with a total of 2,200 sows – backed by an extensive data base.
- Looking ahead: The use of artificial intelligence in feed control is currently being tested intensively and is expected to reach market maturity in the coming years – still on an individual-animal basis, because every sow is different.
JYGA Technologies has been a pioneer in PC-based automated sow feeding since 1994. Today the company employs more than 150 people worldwide and reinvests around 10 percent of its revenue in research and development. Its subsidiary JYGA Tech Europe GmbH, founded in Vechta twelve years ago, is responsible for distribution across the EU.
Elmar Moormann: consulting backed by JYGA expertise
Elmar Moormann headed JYGA Tech Europe GmbH in Vechta until the end of January 2025; Cornelius Frenger has since taken over sales for Germany. Through his own consulting business, Moormann continues to represent JYGA in an advisory capacity – bringing his many years of experience in feeding technology and sow management directly to farms.
Join us: 2nd OM-Forum Agrar on 17 September 2026
On Thursday, 17 September 2026, Elmar Moormann will present the JYGA technology, together with its sales and service organisation, at the 2nd OM-Forum Agrar in Ecopark Emstek. Attendance is deliberately limited to 195 participants to allow for an in-depth professional exchange.
Event at a glance
- What: 2nd OM-Forum Agrar, hosted by OM-Medien
- When: Thursday, 17 September 2026
- Where: Ecopark, Emstek (Germany)
- Tickets: limited to 195 – Secure your ticket now
We look forward to welcoming you and to a personal exchange on site.
Original article (in German): OM-Medien – How automated sow feeding improves animal welfare (Giorgio Tzimurtas, 5 September 2026)
