Semen Cardona has been committed to innovation for the past four decades. Our technical department works on R+D+I processes from the macro to the micro-scale. From the observations and constant improvement of the practices at our centers to the development of international projects in collaboration with technological centers, universities, and other European companies. The main innovation points are the ones we are following.
To achieve these results, to the effort and talent of our technical team, we add the collaboration with important companies in the sector and private and public research centers. We have collaborated with the Department of Reproduction of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Swine Reproduction Biotechnology Group of the University of Girona (UDG), as well as prestigious and recognized veterinary and hospital foundations.
In 20 years, we have grown from an average of 20 piglets per year to over 36, with farms that have reached 38.
We are not satisfied with complying with European biosafety standards. The safety and health of animals are the keys to our activity. We continuously investigate to go one step beyond the rest of the sector regarding air filtration, insulation techniques, materials, processes, and technologies. The ZERO incidents guarantee throughout the life of our company.
In collaboration with the best genetic improvement and gene-transfer companies in Europe, Semen Cardona research to help improve the species and livestock herds of our customers in the line of improving the quality of the resulting meat and, therefore, the opportunities for the producers.
Without a doubt, it is the first transmission piece in the other gears. We have achieved extraordinary improvements during these years to ensure that animals are in the perfect ground, environmental, acoustic, and healthy conditions.
The organoleptic quality is not enough. In terms of nutritional matters, and especially in the antibiotics reduction, we work to elaborate healthy doses that contribute to absolutely healthy meat to ameliorate, in short, the health of the final consumer.
It is a research project financed by the European Union (European Commission’s Eureka program) in collaboration with a French partner and the University of Barcelona (UB). It involved the development of a completely isolated module for 25 boars, with filtered air and environmental conditions, lighting, and power supply optimized, aimed at creating compact centers for artificial insemination. The result was extraordinary, with conclusions of direct application to develop our methodology.
Between 2003 and 2004, with the rise in the Pietrain breed and its lean meat characteristics, we investigated the introduction of different additives, especially carnitine, to guarantee a better genetic transfer for higher meat quality. At the same time, the vigor and strength of the Pietrain challenged us to find the ideal design to avoid problems with the legs and thighs, guarantee the well-being of the boars, and logically ensure the maximum yield of their sperm doses. Our AIC Migjorn acted as a pilot plant for an innovative soil system that we have incorporated into the other centers. It has given excellent results, and many companies in the sector have replicated it.
Duroc’s exponential growth in demand has led us to develop diverse research in recent years, the results of which generate extraordinary improvements in the seminal quality of the boars in this Genetic lineage. Through feed additives, like unsaturated fatty acids (omega-3, especially DHA), we formulate a high-value-added feed that improves the life quality of animals and, therefore, the productivity of our doses, sperm quality, and the quality of the meat of new generations.
Currently, we are conducting a European macro project (CDTI Eureka) with a European partner to eliminate all the antibiotics of semen doses. The diluent base required small amounts of antibiotics to ensure biosafety and to eliminate contamination or bacteriological development. We are working on inhibiting any bacterium through antibiotic-free diluents and the help of natural peptides. It is the future of the livestock sector: to produce without antibiotics at any point in the value chain. At Semen Cardona, we believe that, althouhg it is difficult, it is essential to start with the first gear of artificial insemination.
Parallelly, we have opted for the use of development by IMB company with whom we collaborate, which consists of a container for semen doses free from an antibiotic. This system will be an increased value for the diluter system that we hope to market in two years.
In parallel with other major collaborative research project, Semen Cardona’s technical department is immersed in small initiatives, studies, and tests to improve the quality, productivity, and welfare of animals. Small details of great importance, ranging from the design of its feed or beverage systems to the constant improvements in biosafety on farms, laboratories, and quarantines, optimization of environments concerning temperature, humidity, lighting, acoustic or air purity, and logistical issues, control of orders, tracking of shipments and continuous improvement thanks to feedback from our customers. Everything that serves to improve makes us innovate.
