Benefits to all animals include:
Faster weaning and less stress on mothers and youngstock Less manure due to increased digestibility of fodder. Boosted immune system - Increased longevity and lifespan - Earlier heat cycles -Improved fertility Stimulated appetite during heat stress - Better behavior and temperament
The benefits your livestock will receive from eating fodder don't stop there. Each species has its own unique benefits on top of the overall health benefits listed above.
FODDER Example: 1- 3 meter tower per day to feed 30 cows
Recommendations are 15 to 20 lbs per day per adult cow.
Each 3 meter tower will produce 114 square ft of fodder.
Fodder weighs approximately 10 lbs per square ft.
A total of 1140 lbs of fodder for each 3 meter tower. (12 trays at 90 lbs of fodder per tray )
Example: A heard of 30 cows with an average weight of 1200 lbs would have a total body weight 36,000 lbs. Eating 3% body weight daily = 1080 lbs.
1140 lbs available in one 3 meter tower would feed the 30 cows.
Note: If you want to feed every day you need 7 towers as fodder has a 7 day grow cycle. To harvest 1 tower a day you will need 7 towers planted at one day apart stages.
1 lb of barley seed makes 7 lbs of fodder.
To cover 1080lbs of fodder you will need 156lbs of barley. (156 lbs of barley x 7 1092lbs)
Fodder cost: 48lbs in a bushel divide by 156 lbs needed equals 3.25 bushel for 1 tower.
3.25 bushel times $8.70 per bushel totals $28.27 per tower. 94 cents per day per cow .
Compare to hay
Hay Cost: Cows eat 30 lbs of hay per day so 30 cows would eat 900 lbs per day.
1 - 1000 lb round bale sell for average $100 per bale. So $100 per day. $3.33 per cow
Some animals will also require roughage or mineral supplements.” Please only use these amounts as a guide:
Alfalfa Fodder Feed
Alfalfa is an important forage crop across the world. It is frequently used as hay, silage and grazing pasture. Its nutritional benefits are available in hydroponically
Alfalfa is a highly palatable legume that has been grown as livestock feed since the fourth century. It is valued for its high nutritional quality and is an excellent source of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Hydroponically grown alfalfa fodder is more digestible than its field-grown, dried hay counterpart, increasing feed efficiency and reducing the need for concentrates.
Benefits of feeding alfalfa fodder:
High in energy, calcium and other minerals
Excellent source of amino acids
As much as 18% protein
Contains important vitamins B,C, D, E and K
Highly digestible and palatable
Improved conception rates and fertility
Increased livestock longevity
Alfalfa is known as the queen of forage crops, and for good reason. It is the third most widely grown crop in the United States and it is among the highest in feed value.
As with any change in a livestock feed regimen, it is important to gradually transition to fodder. Introducing new feeds slowly reduces stress and the concern of digestive system diseases, such as colic or bloat.
It is widely believed that alfalfa was grown as a forage crop long before recorded history. The name alfalfa comes from the Arabic language and means "best fodder."
Barley fodder Feed
Barley is the most widely used seed in regards to hydroponic fodder production. Our trials have shown that whole, six-row barley yields the best results.
Benefits of feeding barley fodder
Alternatives
Feeding barley fodder offers these benefits to livestock:
Reduced occurrence of digestive diseases, such as colic and bloat
Stimulated immune system
Naturally balanced with essential nutrients
High in fiber, energy and protein
Rich in enzymes
Low acid content
Highly digestible
In our seed trials, we used six-row barley. This is because two-row barley is not well suited for animal feed due to its lower protein content
Oat fodder seed
Hydroponically grown oat fodder is a good source of carbohydrates that provide energy for domesticated animals. Typically fed as rolled grain or dried hay, sprouting oats will maximize the naturally available nutrients.
Oat
Oat is a cereal grain that is one of the most important sources of livestock and animal feed in the world. It is commonly fed to horses and ruminants due to its excellent nutritional qualities that aid with maintaining optimal rumen and hindgut function. Hydroponically grown oat fodder is high in fiber and low in starch, making it an easily digestible feed. Oat is also rich in nutrients and essential minerals and is one of the richest sources of protein compared to other feed.
Benefits of feeding oat fodder
Alternatives
Feeding sprouted oat fodder is good for digestion and has many other benefits, including:
Low in starch
Good for rumen fermentation
Rich source of protein
High in fiber and essential minerals
In order to provide a more balanced ration, oat is typically blended with small grains.
Oat belongs to the Poaceae family, which is the most economically important plant family in the world. This family of true grasses is produced for everything from forages and building materials to food and fuel. The scientific classification for oat is Avena Sativa.
Millet fodder seed
Providing similar benefits as oats and barley, millet is a wonderful option for fodder production. Proso millet is most popularly utilized as cattle, sheep and swine feed.
Millet is a grass that is rich in B vitamins and high in fiber. It has been grown as a staple feed for thousands of years and is one of the world's most important cereal crops. Millet fodder sprouts are highly digestible and nutritious. They are high in minerals and essential amino acids. Millet is similar to corn and is low in protein compared to other feedstuffs. Millet is also fairly starchy. It is commonly mixed with other seeds, such as oat or barley, to provide a more complete ration.
Benefits of feeding millet fodder
Alternatives
Feeding millet fodder offers these advantages to livestock:
Contains beneficial minerals, such as iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and calcium
Rich in amino acids
Full of B-complex vitamins
High in fiberThere are dozens of species of millets grown worldwide. However, there are only five millets of commercial importance. These include proso, foxtail, barnyard, browntop and pearl. Millet is grown for a variety of purposes including livestock feed, beer making and as a human food source. The best millet for fodder production is proso millet.
Feeding millet to horses should be avoided. Millet contains a glucose called setarian. If a horse consumes feed with this glucose, it will cause serious kidney irritation and result in excessive urination.
Millet, like corn, is quite starchy. Because of this, millet should be used in combination with grains at no more than 50% of the total feed mix.
Red wheat fodder seed
Wheat is widely used as a livestock feed due to its natural protein and fiber levels. By sprouting wheat seed, you are increasing the ease and rate of starch digestion compared to traditional dry wheat feed.
Red Wheat
This cereal grain has garnered attention over the last couple of years as an alternative to feedstuffs with fluctuating prices that are used in livestock rations, such as corn. When grown hydroponically, red wheat fodder has many nutritional advantages. Of all the classes of wheat available in the United States, red wheat has the highest protein composition. It is also high in energy and the starches in wheat ferment quickly in ruminant digestion.
Benefits of feeding Red Wheat Fodder
Sprouted red wheat fodder has many benefits for livestock, including:
High in protein
Naturally present enzymes
Lowered pH in rumen
Good source of energy wheat ferment quickly in ruminant digestion.
Note: As with any change in a livestock feed regimen, it is important to gradually transition to red wheat fodder. When transitioning from a corn-based diet, it is especially important to make the change slowly and animals should be monitored during the transition.
Ryegrass fodder seed
Ryegrass pasture and hay are important grasses in livestock rations, so it makes a premium fodder option. By sprouting ryegrass seed, you are making the best use of the vitamins and minerals available within the seed, rather than pulling nutrients from the soil.
Feeding ryegrass fodder to livestock also offers these benefits:
High in crude protein
Protein and nutrients are highly digestible
Feed value comparable to corn
Ryegrass is typically blended with crimson clover to provide the most complete ration to livestock.
Ryegrass should not be confused with rye. Rye is a cereal grain that is closely related to barley and wheat. It is grown for its grains and as forage.
FEED FOR HORSES
LIVE FOOD
FOR THE LIVING!
Equine
Some owners produce their own top-quality horse feed. Hydroponically grown fodder is sprouted grass or legumes that mimic fresh pasture, making it an ideal supplemental feed for natural grazers, like horses. Fodder is also highly digestible and packed with essential nutrients which will help keep horses, especially those with special dietary requirements, happy and healthy. Whether fodder is grown for supplemental feed or just a snack for horses, it will allow horse owners to gain control of their feed regimen and provide fresh, healthy feed year round.
Fodder Benefits
Feeding fodder to horses will have a dramatic effect on their health and performance, and the benefits are noticeable immediately. They are grazers by nature and providing fresh vegetation year round with a FodderPro Feed System helps simulate their natural feeding process.
Supplying fodder as a supplemental feed each day will result in many benefits, including:
Less recovery time required after hard work
Reduced instance of colic, ulcers and inflammation
Earlier and more consistent heat cycles
Improved hoof health
Improved behavior and temperament
Higher energy levels
Improved coat gloss and appearance
Types of Feed
Legumes
Grasses
Cereal Grains
Legumes, such as alfalfa, have been fed to horses for centuries as dried hay. Legumes are high in protein, energy, calcium and other minerals. Fresh fodder sprouts are more digestible than hay and the nutrients are more readily available.
Alfalfa Clover
Feed Recommendations*
Customer: Samuel, Michigan - Horse farm - Standardbred horses
Ration: 14 lbs. to 16 lbs. oat fodder 3 lbs. to 5 lbs. alfalfa hay
"The health benefits really shocked me. I didn't expect to see such drastic improvements. The horses also really like the fodder. I haven't had a horse yet that wouldn't eat it. My horses will turn away from second cutting alfalfa hay to go eat the fodder."
Types of Feed
Legumes - Grasses - Cereal Grains
Legumes,
such as alfalfa, have been fed to horses for centuries as dried hay. Legumes are high in protein, energy, calcium and other minerals. Fresh fodder sprouts are more digestible than hay and the nutrients are more readily available.
Alfalfa - Clover
Grasses,
Another popular source of hay, grasses such as brome, fescue and timothy are a good choice for fodder. They are high in essential nutrients. Fresh, grass fodder sprouts are also high in fat and low in fiber, making them an excellent source of energy.
Brome Fescue Timothy
Cereal Grains
Naturally balanced in protein, energy and fiber, these sprouts are an excellent feed for horses. These sprouts are high in fiber, making them ideal as a supplement to hay. Grains are a good source of energy and contain 95% of the energy of corn. Grain fodder also has a low acid content compared to dried grains and concentrates, reducing the risk of ulcers and stomach upset.
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