HyCare test farm of TSG proves the power of hygiene for 10 years

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HAPERT, September 25 – This year, The Schippers Group’s HyCare test farm Raamloop celebrates a remarkable milestone: for ten years, daily work has been dedicated to improving hygiene in pig farming. As the successor to the Zwarktakkers test farm, where innovative ideas such as automatically movable pens were first tested, Raamloop continues this pioneering spirit with new steps in hygiene and management.

Long Tails
Even after a decade, The Schippers Group continues to discover new benefits of improved hygiene. A striking example is the Long Tails project. With the upcoming 2030 ban on tail docking, Raamloop demonstrated in 2024 that proper hygiene measures make all the difference: 98% of tails remained intact, with an average weight gain of 1,050 grams and a feed conversion ratio below 2.25.

Farm manager Leon explains:
"Hygiene pays off in every way: lower health costs, less labor, and better animal performance. Not having to dock tails anymore is the ultimate proof of this. What we learn here can be directly translated into value for practice."

Digitalization in the Barn
Five years ago, the digitalization of processes at Raamloop was still in its early stages. Today, that has changed significantly. With the introduction of the HyCare app, now in use for a year, hygiene tasks have become much simpler for farmers. The system provides real-time insights into the farm’s hygiene status and immediately highlights areas requiring action.

A clear example is pest monitoring. Digital rat traps send an instant notification to the farmer’s phone whenever a trap is triggered, including the exact location, allowing for immediate intervention.

Leon continues:
"The sector is facing a growing shortage of skilled labor. With the HyCare app, farmers can take the next step toward task-based work. This approach is more effective, creates predictability, and ensures every task adds direct value. It saves time, prevents problems, and improves hygiene, a direct win for the farmer."

Looking Ahead
While this anniversary is a moment to reflect with pride, The Schippers Group is focused firmly on the future. In the coming years, the emphasis will be on further digitalization and smarter use of data to enhance hygiene practices.

The goal is to digitize all processes using sensors, creating a fully task-based system. In this way, the farmer’s role shifts from performing regular checks to acting based on concrete insights.

Currently, alongside pest monitoring, a water quality module has been integrated into the HyCare app. In the first half of 2026, the app will be expanded with e-learning modules, ensuring that pig farm employees worldwide can be trained in the same standardized way, regardless of location or language.

The Long Tails project will also continue, exploring how hygiene can further improve animal welfare. This includes studying the impact of acids, supplements, enrichment materials, and other practical solutions that deliver even better results.

Keep Discovering, Keep Leading
Even after ten years, Raamloop remains committed to its mission: improving hygiene through research and innovation.

"My dream is for us here in Hapert to keep setting the example," says Leon.
"And for there to be multiple Raamloops worldwide where we can test and demonstrate these innovations. This way, we can make hygiene measurable, manageable, and future-proof everywhere."

Raamloop is open to visitors, including farmers, partners, and other stakeholders, who can experience firsthand how the HyCare approach works in practice. This ensures Raamloop remains not only a center for research but also a source of inspiration for the future of pig farming.