The pig housing facilities at AU Viborg – Foulum Research Centre cover more than 5,500 m² and are designed to support a wide range of research and development projects. The unit has capacity for an SPF-approved nucleus herd of 150 sows, with an annual production of approximately 6,000 piglets and finishing pigs.
The facilities are equipped with flexible housing systems that enable experimental studies in areas such as nutrition, health, welfare, climate emissions, and human models.
The facilities include, among other things, gestation barns for both individually confined and loose-housed sows, farrowing units, nursery barns, and finishing pig facilities with both individual and group housing.
The unit also includes dedicated areas for digestion and balance trials, as well as advanced feeding systems capable of handling more than 30 different feed mixtures simultaneously.
Research activities include areas such as nutrition, health, behaviour, breeding, and reproduction, with a particular focus on sustainable food production.
Studies are conducted using both conventional and genetically modified animals, and several of the barns have periodically been used for trials with transgenic pigs.
The respiration chambers enable precise measurements of greenhouse gas emissions and energy metabolism, contributing to the development of more climate-friendly production systems.
The facility is also used for projects related to housing equipment, ventilation, information and communication technology (ICT), and other technical solutions relevant to commercial pig production.
The research centre collaborates closely with external partners and has access to laboratory facilities for the analysis of samples such as feed, blood, urine, and tissue.
For further information about the facilities and opportunities for research and development collaboration, please contact:
