AGS™—Automatic Gestation System— is Schick Enterprises’ large pen gestation solution. If you’re looking for an alternative to conventional gestating methods, look to AGS™.
AGS™ automates large pen gestation while providing sow-level access (access to individual sows). While there are other gestation systems on the market, none can boast as many capabilities and benefits as AGS™. AGS™ utilizes RFID technology to feed, track, separate and sort groups of up to 300 sows. Tasks such as feeding, vaccinating and preg-testing are simplified using this automatic sow management tool. Better sow conditioning, minimized sow aggression and less maintenance are just a few of the benefits growers experience when using AGS™.
A room is divided into two primary areas. The larger area is for feeding, and the smaller area is for loafing. The feeding area is a mass feeding system made up of Trickle-Feeding stations. There is also an area designated for light feeding.
Sows have access to the loafing area from the feeding area via one way gates. They have access to the feeding area from the loafing area via the Interrogator.
The Interrogator is where, upon entering, sows’ RFID tags are read. Any tasks associated with a sow’s tag are performed. Tasks include painting, sending to light feeding area, sorting to alley and sending straight ahead back to normal feeding area.
| AGS™ | Feeding Station Systems | |
|---|---|---|
| Method of feeding | Mass feeding—all sows fed at the same time | One sow is fed at a time within station |
| Training | No training required | Training required to learn to eat in station |
| Sow aggression | Little to no aggression | Significant aggression—fighting while waiting for their turn to eat |
| Maintenance | Feeding continues as usual if Interrogator is out of order | Feeding cannot be accomplished if station is out of order |