30 years of Biga: from Dutch production to worldwide use

Thirty years ago, the first Biga feed mixer was built. Since then, the range has grown alongside the needs of livestock farmers, from compact machines to large models for dairy farms worldwide. The foundation has remained the same throughout: development and production in the Netherlands, within a family business that now spans three generations.

Born from practice

Dannie Peeters spent a lot of time on the road and regularly visited livestock farmers. He saw how they worked, what challenges feeding brought with it and where there was a need for a suitable machine. Those experiences sparked the idea of developing a feed mixer of his own.

The first Bigas were extensively tested by farmers in the area. That was where it had to become clear how the machines held up during daily loading, mixing and unloading. The experiences of those farmers helped to refine the design and develop it further. That interaction between workshop and farm laid the foundation for the development of Biga.

Prototypes were tested on local farms.

Growing with livestock farming

Since those first machines, the range has been expanded continuously. Livestock farms differ in size, barn layout and feeding method. That calls for different solutions: from compact feed mixers with a single auger to large models with multiple augers for farms that process large amounts of feed every day.

The core of the machine has remained the same. Vertical mixing augers set the feed components in motion and mix them into a uniform ration. Around that principle, we developed various mixing tubs, augers and versions, tailored to a wide range of applications.

Dimensions and equipment also play an important role. A machine has to fit through the barn door, work in the feed alley and unload the feed in the right place. That is why we look beyond the capacity of the mixing tub alone. Overall height, width, discharge systems and controls together determine how well a Biga fits the farm.

Three generations behind Biga

The history of our family business began in 1973, when Piet and Irene Peeters founded Tractorhandel De Bloken in Achtmaal. From trading and working on agricultural machinery, the company grew into a manufacturer. Dannie and Monique then expanded the business further, with Biga as an important product line within the Peecon brand.

With Daphne and Max, the third generation is now also involved. Max focuses on engineering and production, Daphne on marketing and finance. Together with our employees, we build on the knowledge and experience gained over more than fifty years.

Three generations of the Peeters family with the Biga feed mixers.

Developed and produced in the Netherlands

All Biga feed mixers are developed and produced entirely in the Netherlands. From the first drawings to building the machine, our people work on a configuration that matches the user’s requirements.

Because engineering and production take place within our own company, designers and production staff can consult each other directly. That is valuable for the further development of the range as well as for specific customer requests. A modified dimension or a different position for a discharge opening can be worked out with the people who actually build the machine.

Biga feed mixers during production in the Netherlands.

A worldwide network with local knowledge

From the Netherlands, Biga feed mixers reach livestock farmers through an international dealer and service network. Many of these partnerships go back years; some dealers have been involved since the early days. They know the farms and working methods in their region, from the United States to New Zealand. That knowledge helps in choosing the right machine, but also with support afterwards. After all, the daily feeding round goes on and requires accessible service and available parts.

The network also brings new experiences back to the factory. Questions from different countries show how varied conditions can be. This keeps the contact with day-to-day practice, where Biga once started, an important source for further development today.

Biga at Marloo (Michigan, USA).