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One in ten to twenty gestating sows shows limb weakness shortly before farrowing. Unable to stand, she gives birth lying down, crushes her piglets or is culled prematurely. A simple perforated rubber mat aims to change that – and according to an independent study by the Centre de développement du porc du Québec (CDPQ) involving over 600 sows, it does exactly that.
The problem: a silent animal welfare crisis in the farrowing crate
Multi-parity sows lose calcium from their bones with each litter. In the final weeks of pregnancy, the hind limbs become so weakened that on smooth cast-iron slatted flooring the legs slide apart or buckle. The consequences are serious: sows that cannot stand give birth lying on their stomachs – increasing the risk of complications. If they remain lying after farrowing, feed and water intake drops, milk production falls and piglet health suffers. If they do manage to stand, their legs remain fragile: when lying down, the sow collapses and crushes her piglets.
The figures are sobering. Between 10 and 20 percent of all sows show limb weakness at farrowing. Five percent lose piglets due to birthing problems; almost two percent are euthanised or die during farrowing. Around 30 percent of all piglets are crushed within the first three days of life.
Existing solutions – cheap EVA foam mats, recycled rubber or hand-cut makeshift pads – often make matters worse: they crumble, clog slurry pit pipes and offer no documented animal welfare benefit.
The solution: precision meets material science
The Split Saver® – developed by Canadian specialist Agriclé (Avenord Inc.) and manufactured by German quality producer Huber Technik – is a perforated 100% virgin rubber mat placed directly on the slatted floor of the farrowing crate. Its design is tailored to the specific demands of the farrowing environment:
- Conical studs on the underside anchor the mat independently on the slatted floor – no adhesive, no complex fitting.
- The perforated design allows liquids and manure to pass through freely – no build-up, no hygiene issue, no clogged slurry pipes.
- The Huber Technik N15 rubber stud mat contains premium additives making it ammonia-resistant and non-crumbling. Tested to DIN 3763 (elastic floor coverings for livestock buildings).
- The mat arrives pre-cut and ready to use – no trimming required.
The result: sows stand up safely, eat and drink regularly, lie down in a controlled manner – and crush their piglets less often.
The science: 600 sows, 13 months, one clear result
What sets the Split Saver® apart from every previous product in its category is its scientific foundation. The CDPQ – Centre de développement du porc du Québec, an independent research institute funded by the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture – conducted a fully controlled trial.
Results for sows with severe lameness:
|
Feed intake |
Culling risk |
Body fat loss -0.56mm P2 measurement |
Next litter +1 piglet total born (avg.) |
ROI |
Crucially, the study shows that universal use for all sows provides no additional benefit. The mat delivers its effect precisely where it is needed – for sows with mobility problems. The recommendation: equip approximately ten percent of farrowing crates, reserved for at-risk animals. This is not only optimal for animal welfare but also economically efficient: payback in under eleven months, even in the most conservative calculation.
Practice confirms science
Farmers in Québec who have used the Split Saver® for several years confirm the study findings from daily experience.
“Sows have a much easier time getting up since I installed the Split Saver mat. They force less, so they are less likely to fall all of a sudden, due to pain, and crush their youngs.” “In my opinion, we save at least one sow per month with this mat. So it pays for itself in 1 month!”— Sébastien Blanchette, GMS Beaudry Farm, Cookshire, Québec.
“We now have confidence that we provide the right mat which lasts over time despite difficult conditions. A great discovery!” — Alexandre Bienvenue, F. Ménard (225 partner farms), Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec.
A German-Canadian partnership for global pig farming
Behind the Split Saver® lies a transatlantic collaboration: Agriclé, the specialist division of Canadian company Avenord Inc., developed the concept based on years of observation in pig production and a determination to create a product that genuinely works. For manufacturing, they turned to Huber Technik in Erding, Bavaria – one of the leading companies in rubber mat production for livestock.
The combination of Agriclé’s deep understanding of pig farming practice and Huber Technik’s expertise in rubber mat manufacturing has produced a product that simultaneously addresses a market gap and an animal welfare requirement. Both partners present the result together at EuroTier 2026 – Hall 12, Stand F10.
EuroTier 2026: Innovation Award
The EuroTier novelty committee has convened and reviewed 217 submitted applications for the EuroTier 2026 Innovation Award. The Split Saver® was officially recognised as a novelty – a distinction that elevates the product above the competition and provides exceptional visibility at the world’s leading livestock trade fair.
With an independent published study involving over 600 sows, a scientifically validated application protocol, certified quality material to DIN 3763 and demonstrated economic efficiency, the Split Saver® convinced the committee.
Key facts: Split Saver® at a glance
- Perforated mat from 100% virgin rubber (Huber Technik N15)
- Dimensions: 150 × 56 × 1.5 cm, weight 8.6 kg
- Certified to DIN 3763
- Durability: over 60 farrowings (all mats intact after 13-month study)
- Recommended for approx. 10% of farrowing crates (lame sows)
- ROI 4.46 : 1, payback under 11 months
- Developed by Agriclé (Canada), manufactured by Huber Technik (Germany)
- EuroTier 2026: Hall 12, Stand F10
September 2026 - Huber Technik