FODDER FEED FARMING
Healthy feed, healthy livestock, healthier margins.
Modern fodder farm feed systems are meticulously designed to tackle feed-supply instability and enhance livestock health. Fodder presents a sustainable solution, offering a consistent supply of fresh, green, nutrient-packed sprouted grains every day, regardless of weather or season. These grains are cultivated without the use of chemicals or pesticides.
Fodder systems produce hydroponically sprouted microgreens, serving as highly-digestible organic feed for a variety of livestock including cattle, horses, camels, rabbits, sheep, chickens, and pigs. They can thrive in any climate without the need for chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides.
Grains such as alfalfa, barley, or wheat are sprouted in trays, nurtured for approximately seven days, and then provided as feed to livestock. The animals consume all components of the sprouts, including seeds, stalks, and roots.
Fodder systems operate efficiently in diverse locations worldwide, from bustling cities to remote, challenging environments like food deserts. This flexibility empowers farmers to manage costs and uphold quality standards while bypassing the difficulties associated with sourcing or importing feed and supplements. Moreover, it presents a viable business opportunity for growers to cater to the needs of livestock farmers in their communities.
Introducing fodder into your livestock’s diet can lead to improved energy levels and fertility rates, as well as healthier coats in horses, cleaner eggs in laying hens, and higher milk yields in goats, camels, and dairy cattle. Talk to us about your plans today!
MODULARITY
Capitalizing on global transportation standards, shipping containers have presented themselves as the ideal mobile farm. Container farms can be moved and stacked together to accommodate farm growth and expansion. The same can be said for pre-built systems provided there is infrastructure to support it.
SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY
A combination of protection against the elements, and a perfectly controlled environment allow for consistent and reliable production and yields. Because of its protection against adverse weather, containers and indoor farming systems can provide resilience for food supply, ensuring food is consistently available.
ANIMAL HEALTH
Production and show animals including cows, horses, chickens, pigs, goats, and camels can benefit from fresh forage. Hydroponic micro-greens are an incredibly efficient source of livestock feed, resulting in increased value per pound of feed fed. Supplementing fodder can improve animal health resulting in greater income over food costs.
WATER EFFICIENCY
Hydroponic fodder reduces the water requirements by over 90% to grow the same pound-for-pound feed.
CROP CHOICES
Barley, alfalfa, and wheat micro-greens are among the most popular.
RELEASES FARMLAND
80% of agricultural land in the United States is dedicated to livestock feed. Fodder systems free up the land for other uses. One container can free up to 55 acres a year.
REDUCED EMISSIONS
Fodder removes the need for transportation, ground work, and the equipment involved in cultivating feed outdoors.
NO CHEMICALS
A short and efficient production cycle is maintained without the use of chemical fertilizers, harmful herbicides or toxic pesticides.
HUMAN BENEFITS
As humans, we benefit upstream from the health and production of livestock.
DID YOU KNOW?
A 320 square-foot fodder farm feed system can produce 2000lbs (900Kg) of fodder and replace up to 50 ACRES of farmland.
FODDER CULTIVARS
Fodder is formulated to meet specific nutrition requirements for livestock at different life stages, and is composed of entire plants – including the leaves, stalks, and grain, of such forages as alfalfa, barley, wheat, and sorghum.
Growing fodder allows farmers to recreate lush, nutrient-dense grass that promotes healthier livestock through increased digestibility, quicker weight gains, and greater resistance to illness and disease. Fodder, such as barley, is highly palatable, very digestible, and significantly increases the overall nutritional value of the livestock’s feed. Further analysis of fodder highlights its high sugars, high neutral detergent fibre, and net energy comparable to the original grain used.
Because of its high nutritional value, availability, and high seed weight to fodder production ratio, barley seed is often the grain of choice for fodder production. Generally speaking, one pound of barley grain produces six pounds of fodder in approximately one week.
Here are some of the most common plants grown for fodder:
ALFALFA
Nutrient-rich sprouts for strong and healthy livestock.
BARLEY
High-quality fodder for efficient livestock growth and productivity.
CLOVER
A natural source of protein for healthy and happy livestock.
GRASS AND MEADOW GRASSES
Rich in fiber and essential nutrients for robust livestock.
CORN (MAIZE)
Energy-dense fodder for fast-growing and thriving livestock. MILLET – A nutritious and cost-effective feed for all types of livestock.
OATS
High-protein sprouts for optimal livestock health and performance.
SORGHUM
Drought-tolerant fodder for resilient and thriving livestock.
WHEAT
High-quality sprouts for strong and productive livestock.
MIXED SPROUTS
A diverse blend of nutrient-rich sprouts for happy, healthy, and thriving livestock.
BENEFIT TO LIVESTOCK
When introducing fodder to their livestock’s diet, operators can expect healthier animals, with increased energy levels and fertility rates, glossier coats in horses, cleaner eggs in laying hens, and higher milk yields in goats, camels, and dairy cattle.
BENEFITS TO DAIRY CATTLE
Many traditional farmers depend entirely on paddy straw to feed their dairy cattle. This affects both milk yield and the health of the animal. Consuming fresh fodder can provide several benefits to dairy cows, including:
- Improved milk yield and quality
- Fodder is digested more easily in the rumen, being over 80D, enabling the digestive system to conserve energy during digestion. Saved energy maintains condition and promotes fertility.
BENEFITS TO BEEF CATTLE
When properly processed, mixed, and fed, fodder is an excellent feed for beef cattle. Because it is processed more efficiently in the cow’s digestive system than grain is, fodder can be used in growing and finishing diets for cattle. This approach provides many benefits, including:
- Improved weight gain
- Improved coat shine and body condition
- Lower cost of feeding
- Improvement in overall herd health
- Increase in Income Over Feed Costs (IOFC)
- Better quality meat
BENEFITS TO GOATS
Because fodder closely replicates what goats would naturally forage for in the wild, it compliments the goat’s well-developed digestive system. As such, consuming fresh fodder can provide several benefits to goats, including:
- Faster weight gain and better quality meat
- High-grade fibre
- Improved milk production and quality
- Improved hoof health
- Improved fertility
BENEFITS TO POULTRY
Sprouted fodder is considered a complete ration for poultry and contains all of the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed for optimal meat and egg production. Incorporating fodder into poultry diets can result in the following benefits:
- Better quality eggs with deeper yolk color
- Enhanced egg taste
- Natural diet
- Reduced sticky droppings
- Higher quality meat with better texture
- Improved health and energy levels
BENEFITS TO PIGS / SWINE
The volumes of fresh, green sprouts that fodder provides, gives pigs and swine nutritional advantages to promote good health and optimal performance. Consuming fresh fodder can provide several benefits to pigs and swine, including:
- Accelerated growth rates and weight gain
- Sows came into heat much quicker
- Heavier, longer milking period, enabling piglets early growth rates
- Feeding costs reduced
BENEFITS TO CAMELS
Fodder is an excellent feed for camels, particularly in the Mena region. Because it is a sustainable and cost-effective feed that can be grown locally and onsite, fodder can be used as a primary feed for camels, providing many benefits, including:
- Improved weight gain and milk production
- Increased resistance to disease and stress
- Better overall herd health and reproductive success
- Reduction in feed costs and wastage
- Improvement in camel’s physical fitness and stamina
- Higher quality of meat and milk products
Consistent feed quality, nutrition, and supply for your livestock. 🐪 🐐 🐓 🐑 🐄
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Feed Them Fodder!
Purpose-built, onsite fodder farm feed systems are designed to seamlessly integrate with your livestock farm. Safeguard your operation, anticipate the unexpected, talk to Cultivatd today!