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.

There’s an awful lot of anecdotal information out there that fodder works. It’s a healthier, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly way to feed livestock. What is lacking however, are deep, extensive studies done by agricultural scientists at major universities. Most of the studies people see are a few very limited studies which take the overly simplistic approach of comparing sprouted fodder to hay and grain on strictly a dry matter basis. In terms of the real world results we’re seeing, these studies are useless.
Now here is something we can all sink our teeth into: California State University Chico recently completed a study at the school’s organic dairy involving a small herd of dairy cows fed sprouted barley fodder over the course of a year. Among the findings:   [Read more…]