News & Events

Exeter Produce diversifies farm with poultry production for the next generation, by Mel Lymes, |  Sept edition

“The barn was outfitted with a SKOV combi-tunnel ventilation system, Danish technology supplied by County Line Equipment.

“It’s a very proactive system instead of reactive,” says Mike [Veri].

“There are a lot more sensors in it and more analytics; we know more of what’s going on inside the barn,” explains Shawn Kerslake. “And then it gives them a little look ahead to see what’s coming weather-wise and try to get ahead of it with either pre-heating or pre-cooling,” he adds.

“Mark Damsma, of County Line, toured folks through the cooling walls, vents, and other components of the SKOV system, which regulates the temperature of the barn automatically and gradually, transitioning from side ventilation to tunnel ventilation using actuators and algorithms based on environmental conditions both inside and outside the barn. In the end, it is better for the birds, as well as for efficiency and energy costs.

“When it goes into full tunnel mode, the chimney fan shuts off, the wall inlets close, and the tunnel doors open, explains Mark. “Then the system starts ramping up each end-wall fan, starting at 50 per cent and going from there.”