Hydroponic Fodder Systems

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World Ag Expo 2016, Tulare, CA

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banner image for World Ag Expo 2016

We are excited to be an exhibitor this year at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, February 9-11.  We will be launching some exciting new products as well as exhibiting the best fodder system in the world.

We hope to connect with many of you who have contacted us over the past few years and meet anyone else who is curious about how a fodder system can help your livestock operation become more profitable, improve the quality of your products, improve the health of your animals and provide a more reliable source of high quality, low cost feed.

Please do drop by, or if you would like to schedule a meeting with us in advance, contact us at 855-977-7688, or info@foddertech.com.

We hope to see you there!

 

Indian dairies using fodder systems to cut feed bills, increase production

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Indian woman in dairy

Like many places around the world, India is facing urban encroachment on agricultural production land, drought and rising feed prices.   Here’s an interesting article, which details how commercial dairies in India are using hydroponic fodder production to equip themselves to face these challenges.  Here are a couple of interesting highlights:

  • The Integrated Dairy Development Project recommends a basic ration of 55 lbs of hydroponic fodder, 22 lbs of conventional green fodder (haylage, silage, or fresh pasture?) and 11 lbs of straw.  Production at this ration was low by American standards, but normal by Indian standards; around 35 pounds.  We have observed American dairies using a similar ration and producing 50 lbs.
  • Dairies should realize a savings of 20-25% in feed costs.
  • A study by  the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Study indicated milk production with a fodder based diet increased by one to three litres per cow, an increase of 0.3% in butterfat, and a 0.5% increase in SNF.

Two reasons why a FodderTech system is more water-efficient

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Field being irrigated

Growing green feed with a fodder system, any fodder system, is going to be far more water-efficient than growing a comparable amount of feed in an irrigated field.  But a fodder system from FodderTech is going to be far more water-efficient than competing fodder systems.  Here are two reasons why a FodderTech system can save you hundreds of gallons of water every day:

1.  NFT vs. Overhead Spray.  Many fodder systems use overhead sprayers to irrigate the seed in the system.  The problem is, overhead sprayers also irrigate walls, floors and system components outside the growing trays.  This not only creates additional opportunities for mold to develop, but is also wasteful of water.

The FodderTech system uses NFT (nutrient film technique) to water seeds from below.  This allows us to more evenly water the grain in the system, without any overspray or moisture anywhere in the fodder room besides in the growing trays.

2.  Recover and recirculate vs. send water to the drain after each irrigation.  Fodder systems need to keep seeds which are germinating moist by irrigating several times daily.  In most systems, this becomes waste water.  It isn’t reused because it get’s dirty, contains mold spores and the design of a typical fodder system makes collection of waste water difficult.

The FodderTech system is a closed-loop system meaning the water stays in the system and the system doesn’t need a continuous connection to an outside water source or drainage.  The design of our system makes the collection of water easy and a proprietary water treatment system keeps the water clean, optimally conditioned and mold-spore free.  It also uses much less water than competing fodder systems, and in many parts of the US and the world, that isn’t inconsequential.

Here’s the best thing:  most of the water you put into our system, ends up in the fodder itself, keeping your animals hydrated and healthy.

US milk market to grow robustly driven by health conscious consumers

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Sprouted barley fodder in fodder system

A recent study indicates the US milk market will continue robust growth over the next several years.  A key driver will be a recognition by health conscious consumers of milk as a nutrient rich food.  Presumably then, better quality (healthier) milk will be in higher demand as long as cost doesn’t become prohibitive.

This coincides with a couple of other trends which should be of interest to dairy producers:  a demand for more locally sourced food, and technological advances which will allow consumers to reconnect with farms.

Smart dairy operations will be able to take advantage of each one of these trends.  Here’s how a fodder system will help:   [Read more…]

The hidden costs of a fodder system

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sprouted barley fodder growing in fodder system

A hydroponic fodder system has the potential to help solve a number of problems faced by farmers almost since the beginning of farming.

  • The ability to expand livestock operations with limited land.
  • Lower feed cost.
  • Improve feed quality.
  • Improve animal health, lower vet bills and antibiotic use.
  • Better quality meat and dairy.
  • Less water usage, higher drought resistance of your operation.
  • Smaller environmental footprint.

It sounds great, and it can be, but there are hidden costs to consider before you purchase a fodder system.  The FodderTech commercial fodder system is specifically designed to address and reduce each of these costs.  When you invest in a fodder system, you plan to use if for a long time. While purchase price is certainly a factor, a bigger consideration is the cost of operation over a one, two, five or 10 year time period.  Here are the big ones:   [Read more…]

Water and the future of animal agriculture

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The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) held their annual conference March 23-26th in Indianapolis.  The theme this year was “Water and the Future of Animal Agriculture.”

Dr. Jay Famiglietti, Senior Water Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Associate Professor at UC, Irvine delivered a presentation regarding ongoing drought conditions in California, Texas and throughout the world, the unregulated and rapid depletion of non-renewable groundwater (aquifers) resources and the need to mobilize technological solutions to fight what looks to be a long-term trend.

[Read more…]

Why do FodderTech systems use long growing trays?

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hydroponic sprouts growing in fodder system

A few fodder system manufacturers are growing fodder in small trays which produce fodder “biscuits” which weigh around 16lbs and are admittedly conveniently sized, especially for smaller operations where you’re distributing fodder rations by hand to a few animals.

We use 13 foot long growing trays and are occasionally asked why we don’t use smaller trays.  There are a few good reasons why our system is designed the way it is including the ability to harvest, clean and reseed the system quickly, producing as much fodder as possible in a limited space, and reducing the number of moving parts in the system which are subjected to a lot of handling causing wear-and-tear.

But the most important reason has to do with mold-prevention and the type of irrigation we use in our systems.   [Read more…]

Antibiotics, dairy cows, herd health and fodder

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dairy cows eating hydroponic fodderA recent report raised concerns regarding the illegal use of certain antibiotics by a handful of dairy farmers.   Unlike beef cattle, and hogs, which are often given antibiotics as a preventative measure, dairymen will only administer antibiotics to a dairy cow when she’s sick.  Any milk produced while the drugs remain in the cow’s system is discarded.

Because of the resulting loss in production, a small number of farmers have apparently resorted to using antibiotics not approved for use in dairy cows.  Because milk shipments are tested for only commonly administered antibiotics,  the use of these particular antibiotics allows the offending dairies to skirt food safety rules.

To be clear, this is not a widespread practice.  In fact, only .4% of randomly collected samples had drug residues.  Most dairies are highly conscientious with regards to food safety.

But the issue of herd health is of great importance to all livestock operations.  Not only are medications and veterinary care expensive, but in the case of a dairy, there is a cost for care, and a cost in lost production.

What is the answer?   [Read more…]

Trainer benefits from feeding fodder to racehorses

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horse race on grass track

I compare normal feed to McDonald’s, and this is more Whole Foods. – Phil Schoenthal

A recent article in the online Daily Racing Form describes how trainer Phil Schoenthal has benefited by growing and feeding sprouted barley fodder, with sprouted sunflower seeds to his racehorses.  Among the positive results:

  • Better hydration.  Because of fodder’s high water content, his horses get more liquids into them.  The horses recover more quickly from races and are ready to run again sooner.
  • Ulcer prevention.  Consuming dehydrated, dry feed isn’t natural for a horse.  Sprouted fodder is a more natural feed and is easier on the digestive system and teeth.
  • Higher red blood cell counts and higher electrolytes.

This isn’t of course the first time we’ve heard this.  Professional trainers and regular horse owners alike have not only seen the health of their animals improve, but have dramatically cut their feed bills.  While in many parts of the country, the cost of feeding horses can come to $2000 or more per animal per year, a healthy sprouted fodder diet can amount to as little as $1 per day per horse.  Many horse owners are being forced to choose between the animals they love, and the high cost of feed.  A fodder system is a real solution to a real problem horse owners face as drought stricken pastures dry out, and feed costs rise higher and higher.

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FodderTech Hydroponic Fodder Technology

Our fodder systems were developed by renowned hydroponics expert Peter Doyle. Unique among sprouted fodder systems, our technology was specifically developed to address several challenges which are frequently encountered where hydroponic fodder has been introduced into farming operations. These include mold growth, labor costs, scaleability and yield. Give us a call, we'll show you the FodderTech difference!

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