Hydroponic Fodder Systems
Agritom fodder systems grow nutritious livestock feed that will increase the overall health of your animals through better digestion and increased nutrient intake.
Feeding livestock is incomplete without including green fodder in their diet.
Green fodder is essential for livestock however with the reduced availability of land and lack of water it is becoming more and more difficult to produce. Our innovative fodder production systems allow you to produce fresh, green fodder all year regardless of the season and with minimal land and water use.
Our hydroponic fodder systems produce nutritious livestock feed by sprouting seeds in a climate-controlled environment without the need for soil or nutrients. Within six days the seeds will have grown into highly nutritious fodder.
An Agritom Fodder System is a great addition to any farm as it will allow the producer to increase their carrying capacity without the cost of purchasing additional land.
HYDROPONIC FODDER ADVANTAGES
Consistency
To get the optimal stage of growth, hydroponic fodder only requires just over 6 days from germination to harvest. A constant supply of green fodder is possible all year round to meet demand.
Nutrition
The green feed grown from the hydroponic fodder system is highly nutritious when compared to conventionally grown fodder. It is high in protein and energy and packed full of healthy vitamins.
Waste
Feed grown in our fodder systems will be fully utilized by the animals as there won’t be any loss during feeding. Livestock eat the entire biomass, roots and all. There is zero wastage.
With digestibility at approximately 90% and protein at 18%, it’s no surprise that the fodder produced by an Agritom fodder system is one of the most nutritious livestock feeds available.
Why Feed Fresh Fodder?
The high digestibility of fresh hydroponic fodder means that the animal needs less weight of feed to produce the same results.
Monogastrics and particularly ruminants, struggle to digest hard, dry feed; our fodder systems enable them to receive the benefits of fresh fodder, which is precisely what their digestive systems have been designed to process.
The Evidence – Farmers who use hydroponic livestock feed have been seeing and experiencing the benefits of doing so first hand, and now the science is here to back up their claims.
An Agritom Fodder System will give you control over feed costs and bring your farm one step closer to sustainability.
Our Fodder Systems convert grain into a higher quality form of livestock feed. As a result of this process, the dry matter is much higher in protein and digestibility. On a dry matter basis, it has a nutritional profile that is similar if not better than very good quality lucerne/alflafa hay however it is nearly 40 to 50% more digestible, has more energy, and is less expensive so you get better value for money.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size fodder system do I require?
These amounts are to be used as a guide only.
– Horses: 2-3% of bodyweight in fodder + 1.5% bodyweight in hay.
– Beef Cattle: 2-3% of bodyweight in fodder + adlib hay/straw ration.
– Dairy Cattle: 3-5% of bodyweight in fodder + adlib hay/straw ration.
– Pigs: 2-3% of bodyweight in fodder
– Sheep and Goats: 2-3% of bodyweight in fodder + adlib hay ration.
– Chickens: 2-3% of bodyweight in fodder + grit and calcium supplements.
Does the water get recycled?
No. When fodder water is recycled it has the potential to start fermenting. This can cause many issues with the system and the quality of the fodder. There is actually very little wastewater as the majority gets absorbed into the fodder. The excess water can be collected and used elsewhere on-site such as irrigation, wash downs, and stock water.
Do you ship internationally?
Definitely. Our fodder systems are already being used successfully in many parts of the world. We can organise the complete shipping and delivery process for you.
How much seed is required?
You can expect to get a seed to fodder conversation rate of about 1 is to 8 (1kg of seed will produce 8kg of fodder). Therefore, to calculate the daily seed required for a certain system all you have to do is divide the daily capacity of the system by a factor of 8.
How much labour is required?
Labour can vary from person to person however we find that on average it takes approximately 1.5 hours per 1000kg of fodder. Like most things, labour is reduced as the user becomes more familiar with operating the system.
Should the system be installed under cover?
Yes. Although it may not be necessary in some areas, we always recommend that the unit be installed under cover. This will keep the direct heat from the sun of the roof which will allow the unit to operate more efficiently. It’s also help protect the equipment from the elements.
What grains can I sprout?
A variety of different grains can be used for sprouting such as barley, wheat, corn, oats, sunflower, etc. Barley is by far the most popular as it is readily available and has a good germination rate.
How does the fodder system work?
It all begins with soaking the seed of your choosing. This seed is then spread evenly on trays that slide through our unique racking system. The system then irrigates the seed and keeps it at the perfect temperature to encourage growth whilst at the same time prevent mould and bacteria from growing. Each day you will harvest fresh green fodder from the system and replace those trays with trays containing more soaked seed. It’s as easy as that.
How long should I grow the fodder?
We recommend growing for 6 to 7 days for ruminants as this is when the fodder is at it’s prime. Substantially more growth and protein can also be achieved. The purpose of growing the fodder is to convert the seed into a more usable form. A study carried out by the Department of Primary Industries found that this conversion doesn’t begin to take place until roughly day 4.
Can I use a shorter growing cycle?
Yes. Our systems allow you to grow for either 4 or 6 days. If you want to sprout on a 4-day cycle the rated capacities of our units can be increased by as much as 50%. This is due to there being more trays of fodder per day.
Do I require a special type of seed?
What water source can I use?
How can I benefit from an Agritom fodder system?
With an Agritom Fodder System you can expect the following benefits:
- Increased carrying capacity.
- Improved weight gains.
- An increase in the market price for your livestock due to a better-quality product.
- Reduction in feed costs.
- Consistent feed all year round regardless of weather conditions.
- Improved general health of livestock.
Do you guarantee the quality of your fodder systems?
Yes. We are a certified ISO:9001 Quality Assured company. The ISO:9001 quality management systems standard is designed to help organisations ensure that they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders while meeting statutory and regulatory requirements related to a product or service.
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