It 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.
- Our fodder system will grow 2000 lbs of fresh, green fodder with right around 260 gallons of water. That’s 98% less water than it takes to grow the same amount of grass in a pasture!
- A one-ton per day fodder system is the equivalent of 200-300 acres of good quality pasture.
- Grain for a fodder system is easier to ship and store than hay.
- Fodder allows you to maintain the grass-fed status of your livestock without compromising the nutritional qualities of fresh grass.
- Hydroponic fodder provides a buffer against drought conditions, and reduces pressure on existing grazing areas.
Please give us a call. We’d love to discuss how a FodderTech fodder system could help your farm or ranch to thrive even under severe drought conditions.