Hydroponic Fodder Systems

CALL 855-977-7688

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Sprouting
    • News & Media
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Support
  • Our Systems
    • Large Commercial Fodder Systems
      • Commercial System Advantages
    • Modular, Containerized Fodder Systems
    • Mid-Size Stationary Fodder System
    • Table-top Hydroponic Sprouting System
    • Family Farm Options
    • Organic Sprouting Systems
    • FodderShark
  • Nutrition
    • Dairy Cows
    • Beef Cows
    • Equine
    • Swine
    • Sheep & Goats
    • Poultry
    • Exotics
  • Sprouts
    • How Sprouts Work
    • Mold-Free Fodder
    • Environment
      • Additional Reductions
  • Costs
    • Cost Details
    • Profitability
    • Additional Savings
  • Financing

Two reasons why a FodderTech system is more water-efficient

June 25, 2015 by FodderTech

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.

Filed Under: drought, fodder systems

Water and the future of animal agriculture

April 25, 2015 by FodderTech

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…]

Filed Under: drought, environmental sustainability

Fodder systems and water consumption

February 11, 2015 by FodderTech

irrigation pivot in dry landscape

One of the key advantages of a hydroponic fodder system is its low water use.  Many parts of the US are currently experiencing drought conditions.  Just today, CNBC reported on the exodus of dairies from California to other states, primarily because of water issues, but even in the Midwest, water is an issue.  While these ongoing droughts will hopefully end soon, higher water prices, increased competition for water rights and water restrictions are probably here to stay.

FodderTech fodder systems are true hydroponic systems.  Unlike many fodder systems, our system recovers and recirculates water.  This means we can grow fodder using 98% less water than it would take to grow a comparable amount of forage in a field.  Many systems also use overhead spraying, which is not only messy and inefficient, but also promotes mold growth.  Our systems use nutrient film technique (NFT) to water from below.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: drought, fodder systems

Driest January on record leaves California snowpack dangerously low

January 29, 2015 by FodderTech

Ranch in California in drought conditionsIt certainly looks like the drought in California and much of the Western United States will continue.  California is experiencing it’s driest January on record.   Marin County, home to at least 17 organic dairies and a number of grass-fed beef ranches, averages 7.7 inches of rain in January.  This year, a recording station in Novato has recorded -0- precipitation in January.  Snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevadas are once again dangerously low.  Hay will be selling at a premium this summer.

There really are no easy answers.  But here at FodderTech, we feel strongly that our fodder systems can provide a big part of the solution.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: drought, environmental sustainability

Texas Cattle Industry Struggling with Four Year Drought – Herd down 13%

October 16, 2014 by admin

More than four years into a severe drought, the Texas cattle industry is struggling. Video via Iowa Public Television:

Filed Under: drought

The California drought and the price of hay

October 2, 2014 by admin

dt.common.streams.StreamServer

Good article recently in the Sonoma Valley Press Democrat describing the transition dairy and beef producers are making to hydroponic sprouting systems as a result of skyrocketing hay prices driven by a drought which shows no signs of ending anytime soon.  Here’s an excerpt:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: drought

Fields marked with an * are required

From our blog…

  • World Ag Expo 2016, Tulare, CA
  • Indian dairies using fodder systems to cut feed bills, increase production
  • Foddertech Customer: Dale Foster
  • Two reasons why a FodderTech system is more water-efficient
  • US milk market to grow robustly driven by health conscious consumers

Our Twitter feed

Tweets by @FodderTech

FodderTech Social Stuff

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!

Site Links

Contact Us
Blog
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · FodderTech