Almost all livestock benefit from fresh feed produced by FodderHydroSystem systems:
- oxen, cows and calves;
- horses;
- sheep and goats;
- chickens, ducks, ostriches and other poultry;
- rabbits;
In addition to barley, other seeds can be added to provide more specific nutrients according to the livestock farming desired.
| NUTRIENTS | UNITS | RESULTS |
| Crude protein | % | 20.2 |
| Fat | % | 1.3 |
| Crude fiber | % | 11.3 |
| Starch | % | 15.4 |
| Metabolized energy (ruminants) | MJ/kg | 12.1 |
| MINERALS | UNITS | RESULTS |
| Calcium | % | 0.15 |
| Potassium | % | 0.7 |
| Magnesium | % | 0.24 |
| Phosphorus | % | 0.46 |
| Sulphur | % | 0.28 |
| Boron | mg/kg | 22 |
| Copper | mg/kg | 11 |
| Iron | mg/kg | 160 |
| Manganese | mg/kg | 37 |
| Zinc | mg/kg | 40 |
Oxen, calves and dairy cows
CATTLE
With a hydroponic green feed production system of 1,500 kg per day, the amount of dry matter will be about 150 kg. This feed contains 20% protein with 9 MJ/kg of energy.
Cattle grow at a rate of one kg per day with an intake of 10 kg of dry matter per day containing 12% protein. Mature pastures contain about 10.5% protein. This quality of pasture will not finish cattle properly and does not ensure optimal weight.
Hydroponic green feed can thus be used in the finishing phase with excellent results in weight gain.
Moreover, it is ideal to meet the challenges of drought or lack of land. The systems ensure daily production regardless of climatic conditions, allowing to feed livestock daily supplementing hay. The ideal intake is about 60% of hydroponic green feed and 40% of hay. It ensures an adequate source of dry matter in addition to the nutrients and minerals contained in the feed. Moreover, the fresh feed ensures a good supply of water.
Livestock farmers thus have the assurance of feeding their livestock throughout the year, ensuring fattening with quality food.
DAIRY COWS
Supplementing the traditional intake of a lactating cow with germinated barley increases milk production, improves fertility and keeps the animal healthier, requiring less veterinary care.
In addition, hydroponically germinated barley allows the production of milk richer in fat content.
Each kilogram of germinated barley is the nutritional equivalent of 3 kg of alfalfa.
A study conducted on a batch of 60 cows fed with a germinated barley-based diet proved a 10.07% higher milk yield compared to the batch of cows fed traditionally with grain, hay and silage. In addition, the batch fed with germinated barley produced a milk with a 14.26% higher fat content than the milk of the standard batch.
Horses, foals and lactating mares
Germinated barley can replace 60% to 100% of a horse’s standard feed. Horses have a high need for starch, which makes it necessary to add starch-rich supplements to their conventional feed.
The high water content of the germinated seed ensures excellent digestion and a better recovery of the horse after work. It is recommended to give the animal 1.5% of its weight in dry matter. This should be taken into account for the calculation of dry matter intake in addition to germinated barley. The high nutritional content of the germinated barley mat will eliminate the costly dependence on foods such as alfalfa and other granulated foods.
Other benefits observed are:
- Reduced risk of ulcers and colic
- Reduced recovery time after exertion
- Stimulation of appetite during periods of hot weather
- General improvement in appearance and coat
- Germinated barley contains a greater concentration of the minerals required by the animals, compared to the grain before germination
- Assistance in the regeneration of fluids lost by transpiration and improvement of hydration
- Supply of essential amino acids and vitamins that promote animal reproduction
- Improvement of animal behavior
- Production of more and richer milk in lactating mares
Sheep and Goats
With hydroponic green feed, sheep and goats show the same signs of health and digestion improvement as cattle. These benefits can also be seen in chickens and other poultry under intensive breeding conditions.
Germinated barley rich in enzymes can improve the poultry breeding environment by reducing sticky droppings, besides obtaining cleaner eggs from laying hens.
Concerning goats and sheep, livestock farmers observe:
- Good weight gains with poor pastures
- Improved fertility
- Easier weaning
- Less health problems
- Increase in milk production
- Improved general appearance, principally of the wool.
