Better sow feed and stronger sales are easy - and practice proves it
“Well, if it’s that easy, come and show us!” many customers will say. But in reality, achieving strong results with sows is not about complexity. It's about working in a simple and consistent way, which reduces mistakes and improves outcomes.
- Straightforward feed formulations
- Adapted crude fibre content
- A clear, simple feeding schedule
- Minimal decision-making by staff
When these basics are applied correctly, the sow’s natural “battery function” is activated: she stores and releases energy at the right times, leading to predictable performance and far fewer errors.
Proven in practice
At the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, two of our customers, a compound feed mill and a large integrator, implemented Koudijs' sow approach. Supported by presentations and training, they adjusted both nutrition and feed management. The results speak for themselves.
The process
- We visited several sow farms together with farm staff, advisers and nutritionists, identified constraints and conducted analyses (of the farms and sow management systems)
- We organised a training programme, including background, vision and practical application
- We changed feed formulas, feeding schemes and feed management
- We applied changes on farm
- We monitored results on farm and in the sow management system
Animal performance doesn't lie — and farm staff notice the difference
The effects were very clear. Sows eat fully, troughs are clean, and refusals are minimal. The direct result? More liveborn piglets, most notably in second litters.
The approach also supports a better and easier start to milk production, reducing the risk of diarrhoea and enhancing piglet development.
Fewer troughs to empty, healthier piglets and less diarrhoea make farm work easier and more efficient.
So what’s the secret?
- There is no secret.
- No special ingredients.
- No extra costs — it's actually cheaper.
- Not harder but easier.
If anything could be called a secret, it's just this: work simply.
Our “sow as a battery” philosophy, described in previous newsletters, consistently delivers noticeable improvements. By using our approach and combining it with your experience and expertise, you can offer competitively priced feeds that make it possible to increase results by minimising mistakes and offering an easy way to work for farm staff, advisers and nutritionists.
What’s the next step? That's simple too: Let’s talk
About the author
Rob van Schie
Manager Sales
