At Van Nuland Nistelrode B.V., animal health is a top priority. The team prefers to take a proactive approach, and when something does arise, they act quickly to resolve it. To raise health standards even further, pig farmer Antwan van Nuland contacted Animal Health Vision (AHV) on the recommendation of his veterinarian. With AHV’s guidance and products, the farm has taken another step forward in performance and piglet vitality.

In the farm’s canteen in Nistelrode, two aerial photos hang on the wall. Using them, Antwan proudly shows how the business has grown over the years. The first photo shows the family’s original site in Nistelrode, where they started in 1983 with 200 sows. Step by step, the business expanded and today houses 900 sows and 8,000 finishing pigs. The second photo shows their site in Langenboom, acquired in 2013, which now holds 600 sows and 4,500 finishing pigs.

“The Langenboom site already meets all the environmental requirements for 2024, and here in Nistelrode we’re well on the way too,” says Van Nuland, who runs the business with his brother Clemens and nephew Rick.

Most piglets are reared and finished on site, while two long-term partners buy the remaining piglets. Gilts are also bred on the farm. “The only thing that comes in here is semen,” laughs Van Nuland. The farm uses TN20 sows inseminated with TN Tempo boars. “But don’t ask me too much about breeding,” he smiles. “I mainly focus on the piglets and finishers.”

Feeding with CCM for Piglets and Finishers

The farm covers about 25 hectares of land. Working in partnership with a local arable farmer, Van Nuland grows maize for CCM (Corn-Cob Mix), which is a key ingredient in the diet for weaned piglets and finishing pigs at the Nistelrode site. Other components of the feed include bread meal, grain mix, biscuit meal and supplementary feed. This mixture is provided as dry feed.

At the Langenboom site, feed is based entirely on silage products. “That’s mainly a labour consideration,” Van Nuland explains. “Here at the home farm there’s always someone around to fill the mixer with CCM, but at the other site it’s less convenient.”

Feeding CCM works very well for the piglets and finishers, but Van Nuland has no plans to use it for the sows. “It could be done, but it’s very precise work and can easily go wrong. We prefer to keep it for the piglets and finishing pigs.”

The Importance of a Good Team

People are central to the success of the business. In addition to Antwan, Clemens and Rick, there are five employees.

“We spend a lot of time talking with our staff and working together to keep improving performance,” Van Nuland says. “A good team spirit is just as important as good results, and that also takes investment.”

To make the most of everyone’s time, the farm follows a weekly schedule. In Nistelrode, finishing pigs are delivered early on Monday morning, piglets are moved on Tuesday, weaning takes place on Wednesday, Thursday is usually focused on farrowing, and Friday is treatment day. At Langenboom, Monday is typically weaning day, Wednesday is for loading finishers and Friday for placing piglets.

Good Piglets Come from Good Teamwork

Producing high-quality piglets and finishers takes more than just skill in the barn. Feed advisors, veterinarians and financial consultants all play a role. “Together with your team and your advisors, you form one unit,” Van Nuland explains.

The veterinarian is one of the most important partners in that team. Animal health is seen as a key factor for success, and nothing is left to chance. At both sites, strict hygiene rules are in place. Visitors wear farm-specific clothing and must shower if they have been on another pig farm. Separate footwear and clothing are used for each group of animals, and clear walking routes are followed.

Even though some of the barns are older, everything is spotless, and the surroundings are kept tidy to prevent pests.

The farm also follows a strict vaccination schedule. “I see vaccination as a kind of insurance,” Van Nuland says. “You want to eliminate risk. I’d rather prevent problems than solve them afterwards. That’s why I found it so frustrating when we had some diarrhoea in the weaner barn this year. You lose a week of growth just like that, and those piglets stay smaller all the way to finishing.”

Raising Health Levels in the Weaning Barn

To tackle these post-weaning challenges, Van Nuland’s veterinarian introduced him to Paul Steenbekkers, Product Manager Swine at Animal Health Vision (AHV). After visiting the farm, Steenbekkers advised using AHV HiQure Liquid, a complementary feed that can be added directly to the drinking water through a dosing system.

HiQure Liquid helps restore and maintain balance in the intestines, reducing the growth of harmful bacteria. The result is a healthier gut flora, better digestion and improved manure consistency.

“The piglets have a better shine, and their coats look much healthier,” says Van Nuland. “They’re growing better too. HiQure Liquid is very easy to use. It takes almost no time. You just notice it by the smell.”

He adds that HiQure is one part of a broader improvement effort.

“We’ve also worked hard on improving the weight and health of the weaned piglets, and you can clearly see that reflected in the barn.”

*Piglet Control is a registered dietary feed.