So what is a FODDER solutions system?

The system is a hydroponic growing room that has been specifically developed to sprout grain and legume seeds for highly nutritious yet cost effective livestock feed.

A selection of grains and legume seeds are spread onto the specialised growing trays and are watered at pre-determined intervals with overhead sprays. A set temperature is maintained inside the chamber to ensure the best growth and highest nutritional value fodder possible. Each day you simply slide the feed out of the trays, rinse the tray, reseed and push the newly seeded tray into the other end. The system holds enough trays so your desired amount of feed is available everyday.

The sprouts grow on the Fodder solutions specially designed sprouting trays with no growing medium. Feed quality barley germinates within 24 hours of seeding. The barley grows in the same tray for 6-days and is ready for harvest as a 15 to 20cm high grass mat.

Generally it takes six days to grow from seeding to feed out. This can vary by 24 hours depending on how well you maintain a consistent temperature inside the system.

The “sprout mat” is completely edible and highly nutritious as it is a living food. The animals will eat the entire mat, roots and green growth so there is no waste.

FODDERsolutions do not add any nutrients. Our years of research and economic studies of nutrients prove that nutrients are neither viable nor necessary.

Only a single phase 15amp power supply is needed. The rooms come complete ready to plug a 15amp lead into the power socket.

The systems cost no more than $2/day in power costs to run as they are very well insulated and designed to be extremely power efficient. The systems can be used outside in a paddock but naturally they will perform better with lower running costs inside a shed or out of direct sunlight in the summer months.

FODDERsolutions technology offers low operating costs and requires minimum labour. Depending on the system size, typical operation takes from only 15 to 60 minutes per day to harvest, clean and seed the FODDERsolutions system.

FODDERsolutions portable systems range from 40 kg/day through to 500 kg/day. There are eight transportable systems, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 42 and 63 biscuits per day. Each biscuit has an average weight of 8kg. For further information see pricing page.

Until recently, barley fodder was considered filler, and the nutritional value was underestimated. However, with increased awareness of the nutritional value of barley fodder and associated health benefits, it is recognized as a beneficial portion of an animals feed ration. Recent issues in the beef industry has increased holistic approaches to forage production to minimize costs while optimizing animal health and performance.

FODDERsolutions systems are also suited for locations confronting hindered agricultural development as a result of feed shortages, water shortages, drought, adverse climatic conditions, rapid population growth and rapid urbanization (reduced agricultural land near urban areas).

Hydroponic systems for growing fodder offer an attractive, cost effective alternative to growing fodder in soil. Market demand for an economically viable "organic" feed supply source is supported by increased public and industry unease over animal feed quality, food supply safety, and concerns relating to pesticide and veterinary drug residues in meat and poultry products.

Cattle

Beef Producers

FODDERsolutions recommend using barley seed to produce barley fodder naturally rich in enzymes that improves digestion, allows use of less expensive grain and decreases overall feed consumption.

Our own research shows that the fodder is high in protien and energy, and feeding 3-5% of a beasts body weight per head per day plus some barley straw is the best ration to use. FODDERsolutions have conducted several trials feedlotting angus and angus cross cattle with great success.

Dairy Cattle

Supplementing with fresh barley grass in a typical daily diet of a cow in mid lactation improves milk production, increases fertility and gives rise to a healthier animal requiring less veterinarian care.
Barley grown hydroponically as a supplemental feed not only keeps dairy cattle healthy but can give premium prices from higher grades of butter fat in the milk. Each kilogram of barley fodder is equivalent nutritionally to 3kgs of lucerne.

In one study of milk production, with a diet of barley fodder versus one of normal feeds such as grain, hay or silage, a group of 60 cows on a barley fodder diet increased milk production by 10.07% over the control group. In addition, the group fed barley fodder produced a butterfat content of 14.26% higher than those fed a regular diet.

Download Cattle Information Sheet

Horses

A supplement of fresh nutritious barley grass in a horse’s diet provides rapid results ranging from higher energy levels to faster recovery times from infection. Fresh hydroponic barley grass supplements increases sheen of the hair coat while increasing the haemoglobin level and blood count, giving the animal more "heart".

With a ration of fresh hydroponic barley grass, maximum performance is achieved on less protein due to better assimilation and digestibility of its daily feed. Horses will generally eat between 5-10kg of sprouts per day, depending on the horse’s daily workload.

Reported observations from livestock owners:

Sheep & Goats

Sheep and goats show the same improvements in health and digestion as cattle. Pigs and chickens are sometimes raised in factory situations and show vast improvements in health and digestion.

Barley grass is rick in enzymes and can improve the environment for birds due to reductions in "sticky droppings" from chickens as well as cleaner eggs in laying operations.

Research has demonstrated that enzyme rich barley grass feed enhances swine production and is particularly beneficial to young pigs making the stressful transition from sow's milk to solid food.

Reported Observations from Sheep and Goat Owners:

Zoo Animals

Animals that are accustomed to a grass diet in their natural habitat are healthier in confinement when fed fresh barley fodder all year round. The FODDERsolutions systems can be adapted to feed different daily ration amounts.

Sprout Factories (for human consumption)

FODDERsolutions systems can be converted into sprout factories. Both alfalfa and other mixed sprouts only take 4 days from germination to finish.

The two main differences over conventionally grown sprouts are:

Benefits of using a Fodder Solutions System

Process Benefits

Water Use

What water source can we use?

Rain water, dam water and bore water are suitable for use.

FODDERsolutions solutions can use any type of water to run the system provided it is clean or filtered. If it is necessary to treat your water, FODDERsolutions solutions can supply filters and water treatment devices.

Incredible Water Savings

Water consumption is minimal and passed through irrigation water can be used for animals.

The system uses only 2 to 3 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of green grass. Conventional growing methods require about 80 litres of water.

This represents an incredible water saving – using as little as 1/20 of a regular farm and little impact on the water table from water use and farm chemical run-offs.

Can you reuse the water?

The system has little run-off and any excess water can be used for stock water.

Nutritional Information

FODDERsolutions barley grass is organically grown and harvested at the time when the blades contain the peak spectrum of nutrients.

Barley grass is considered the most nutritional of the green grasses containing an abundance of nutrients unsurpassed by any other type of grass. The benefits of fresh green feed such as barley grass have been well documented over the past 50 years. Typical rations of barley grass vary from 50% to 75% of the total ration (by weight) which varies from 2.5% to 5% of the body weight of a specific animal.

Barley grass has shown to increase the overall health of the animal through better digestion of the hay and grain. While overall wellness is the most noted result, studies indicate improved performance results in other areas as well. Not only will animals be healthier but also they will experience:

Independent research studies have been conducted by qualified academic institutes that prove the value of using barley grass. These studies show that barley grass is both beneficial to livestock and cost effective as a substitute for the traditional fodder supplements.

Nutritional Benefits

There are many benefits to be found from using fresh "Dr Green" barley grass that has been organically-hydroponically grown.
These benefits include:

Hydroponically grown barley grass (blade, root and seed structure) offers:

High nutrient value and a good source of:

Hygienic and free of:

Standard Fodder System

FODDERsolutions systems are designed with robust and user friendly technologies while using state-of-the-art growing methods gained from many years of research and product development. fodderSOLUTIONS are available in modular sized fully transportable containers from refrigerator size to full turnkey custom designed commercial systems providing for the needs of the hobby farmer to commercial farms.

FODDERsolutions systems range from production of 60kg/day through to 5500kg/day. Small systems are fully transportable and are ready to produce from the time they are delivered on farm. There are eight transportable systems: 40kg/day through to 550kg/day. Any systems larger than 550kg/day are custom designed to the specific needs of the producer and are recommended to be constructed on site.

Every model of FODDERsolutions hydroponic feed production systems contains a racking system complete with:

The FODDERsolutions system maximum feed production is maintained through the use of the biomass growing that maintain a consistent environment.

The smaller FODDERsolutions systems are factory assembled and shipped ready for easy site installation. A flat and solid base, and only simple electrical, water and drainage hook up is required. Solid construction, reliable state-of-the-art equipment ensure trouble-free “constant” production in often-harsh operating environments.

Operational consistency is ensured through sound engineering, solid construction and demonstrated operational performance. With over 10 years combined experience, the FODDERsolutions team has a reliable track record in fabricating and assembling hydroponic systems.

Design & Construction

FODDERsolutions has extensive experience as systems manufacturer, grower and consultant systems designer. In addition to our own experience, FODDERsolutions consults with creditable experts from horticultural and agricultural fields.

System Features

Optional Equipment

Optional advanced controls available:

Automatic Fodder System

FODDERsolutions have created smarter more efficient and ergonomic systems. With increasing land prices, increased competition and inconsistent weather patterns,Producers need to find an alternative.

The answer is an “AUTOMATICPADDOCK”.

An “AUTOMATIC PADDOCK” CONSISTS of a 17 m x 15 m x 6 m cyclone rated environmentally controlled coolroom building. Inside the building, there is a 22 tonne hot dipped galvanized patented fully automatic machine. The only one of its kind any where in the world. The machine holds trays full of growing fodder on different levels. The machine picks up one tray full of freshly grown fodder and tips the fresh fodder out of the trays, and then the fodder is transported out of the building on a conveyer belt to transport or straight to livestock. The machine then moves the trays through so that the process can start again. The machine will Empty, wash, sterilize and reseed the trays all automatically.

All this takes place without the producer even being there.

The automaticpaddock can be filling the farmers Ute with fresh fodder while they are having breakfast. Growing fodder doesn't get any easier than this. The facility has many design benefits such as artificial lighting to accelerate the growth, specific nutrient dosing pumps that take the guesswork out of mixing nutrients. Air treatment systems that control the temperature and humidity and sterilizing filters for the purest air. Water treatment systems that automatically adjust the ph of water after it is sterilized to provide the cleanest freshest water no matter the supply source. An automatic grain auger delivers seed from the silo to the automatic seeder. The automatic paddock is so advanced that a producer can feed their livestock just by sending an SMS message to the facility .

The system design is capable of producing well over 3 tonnes of organic hydroponic barley grass every day with no labour input.This new machine is seen as another world first for both Fodder solutions and Australia.