• Forestry

Development of an autonomous and digitalized feeding system for pigs of the Celtic trunk in Atlantic deciduous forests

Land abandonment in the north of Spain has increased the number of unmanaged deciduous (chestnuts and oaks) and conifer forest without current economic return. The establishment of silvopastoral systems with pig breeds of the Celtic trunk (Porco Celta, Gochu Asturcelta) can be an option to preserve the pig breeds while increasing the forest profitability by producing high quality livestock products. However, man-power costs reduces the possibility of the silvopasture practices establishment. FORESTCELTA operational group develops an automated mobile system to feed pigs within forests.The automated mobile system was tested in Galicia and Asturias where herds of 55 pigs were introduced in each demonstration area, during two fattening cycles of 11 and 13 months. FORESTCELTA automated system results were i) cost reduction, ii) forest and livestock facilitated management (iii) recovery and maintenance of pig breeds of the Celtic trunk, (iv) high quality pig organoleptic and health product delivered, (v) increase forest sustainability as it increases mitigation while reducing forest fires. From a social perspective it contributes to increase rural development and the increase of rural population.