Using hydroponic fodder production technology it is possible to grow enough fodder for all the animals in the farm within 6 to 10 days, and realize a massive increase in milk production.

Compared to ordinary cattle feed, this method of pasture production require far less space and the pasture produced has superior nutritive value.  Small scale farmers have a lot to gain from this revolutionary technology as they can instantaneously transform into large scale producers on their small parcels of land.

Play the video below to see how hydroponic fodder technology works

A typical greenhouse containing trays stacked on shelves is used. The trays are put under controlled environmental conditions in a 6 – 10 day cycle. The content are fed as food and grain such as barley, oats, wheat, maize and others. Barley is the grain of choice due to its superior performance followed by oats. Grains develop roots and green shoots to form a dense mat. Carbon dioxide injection cuts the growing time to 4 days and increase production by25%. A 144m² greenhouse can hold about 1800 trays and produce an average of 1200kg per day using only 800 to 1000 litres of water. This amount of fodder can be used to supplement 100 heads of cattle or 500 heads of sheep or goats per day. Low cost structures are now locally available at Agrotunnel International at a cost of Kshs120, 000.

Advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic technology 

Although hydroponic fodder production system has a history spanning over 50 years it is a relatively new fodder production technology in Kenya. It is essentially entails the germination of seeds in nutrient rich solutions instead of soil to produce a grass and root combination that is very high in nutrition. Economic and environmental reasons abound why the technology is preferable over the conventional methods of producing fodder. Among the reasons is that:-

• It requires less water requirements to produce an equivalent amount of biomass. For example it takes 1 to 2 litres of water to produce one kilo of fodder compared to 80 – 90 litres to produce one kilo of green grass. This is a solution to the frequent droughts and the need for expensive irrigation systems.
• It requires minimal land use compared to fodder grown on fields. Fodder grown on 9m x 6m plot can feed the same number of cattle that graze on 1200 acres of pastures in the field. 250 heads of sheep can be raised on a pen measuring 520m² whereas in Kenyan standards 6 sheep would require on hectare. Obviously this means economic use of land which is fast becoming scarce.
• It requires a small area. The lesser area required for fodder production would provide more area for food crops.
• There is no need for expensive fodder storage facilities because farmers are guaranteed a constant supply of high quality fodder. Unlike hay and silage which loses their nutritive value over time, the quality of hydroponic fodder is always guaranteed. Farmers therefore know exactly the amount to feed and the amount of yield to expect. This makes planning very easy.
• A very short growth time is required. Although an 8 day growing cycle is recommended, it takes as little as 7 days from germination time to a fully grown plant at a height of 25 – 30cm ready for harvest. For every Kg of seed, 7 – 10 kg of edible fodder is produced. To grow the same amount of fodder in the field will require a minimum of 12 weeks.
• It requires less labor. As little as one hour per day is required to maintain and produce hydroponic fodder.
• It is extremely cost effective and financially viable. Estimates have indicated a cost of about Kshs 4000 to produce a ton. This cost do not even compare with paddock grown fodder. Studies estimate the cost of fattening an animal using hydroponic fodder at 4 to 8 times less compared to using grain over a 90 – 120 day period. Chances of diseases associated with feeds are reduced by 60 – 75% because the fodder supply is disease free thus enhancing good agricultural practices.
• The nutritive value is quite high. The protein content is high and is very rich in vitamins such as B-carotene, trace elements and enzymes. It is 90 – 95% digestible compared to grains which at best are 30%. The increase in digestibility results in an increase in the average daily weight gain which is a big advantage to beef and mutton producers. It has been found that a kilo of hydroponic fodder is nutritionally equivalent to 3 kg of lucerne.
• Diets of hydroponic fodder also help improve milk production and quality. Tests have indicated vast improvement in milk quantity (up to 10%) and butter fat content (14% higher). Farmers have reported a stimulated appetite when animals are fed on the diet. Other studies have demonstrated increased fertility rates, increased egg laying and elimination of cannibalism in poultry.
• The feed is completely natural. The fodder is produced without the use of any hormones, chemicals fertilizers or synthetic growth stimulants. There are no fungicides or pesticides used that could contaminate the meat or milk.

However, as in all greenhouses, the technology faces challenges brought about by bacteria and fungal growth. Rhizopus, the common bread mould which is present in all cereal grains and in the soils, attacks the grains. If left to flourish it can cause the growth of other unwanted bacteria and fungi that produce toxins dangerous to livestock. Sterilization of seeds to control this menace is therefore paramount.

Based on extensive research the result produced show that one mat of fresh sprouted barley adequately replaces 3kg of concentrates in the diet of dairy cows. The research also shows that there is no detrimental effect in productivity of dairy cows in terms of milk production and body weight.

Contacts

This technology is being promoted locally by Agrotunnels International Limited. For further details contact 0733520083 or 0722520083.

Conclusion

In conclusion, considering the perennial shortage of livestock feed experienced during the dry season, hydroponic fodder systems offers a technology that can achieve good performance with limited resources. 

In short Rhodes grass is the most important pasture grass in Kenya due to its ease in establishment and management. In Kenya there are major suppliers of rhodes grass hay which they also export to other countries.

Other than storing the grass for use during the dry season, you can make hay for sale irrespective of whether you have animals or not. The size of the farm may not be important although the bigger the farm the higher the profit arising from economies of scale. One can start with half acre if the land is too limiting. There are plenty of idle lands lying around whose absentee farmers do not know what to do with. Some of the reasons arise out of the demands by other crop productions which always require that they are around most of the time to monitor their progress and take action where appropriate.

Boma rhodes production and hay making for sales can easily be practiced by such farmers because the  methods of pasture establishment and propagation demand less capital. First you need to prepare a good seedbed by ploughing and harrowing twice for virgin lands. On a previously cropped land you will need to plough and harrow just once before the beginning of the long rains.

Sowing should be done very early, usually in April, so that weeds do not overtake the germinating seeds. Others prefer to sow during the short rains to take care of weeds. Drilling is preferred because it ensures that the seeds are buried and distributed uniformly and others are not left on the surface to dry as in broadcasting.  The seed is first pelleted for them to flow readily during drilling, which is done at a rate of 0.5-1 kg/ha in rows 30 – 40 cm apart. The seed is best sown on the surface not deeper than 2 cm followed by rolling. For broadcasting, the seed is best mixed with sawdust or sand. Seeds germinate in 1-7 days and seedlings develop rapidly.

Apply fertilizer or manure during planting to promote strong root development. Recommended fertilizer are SSP at 2-4 bags/ha or SSP or DAP at 1-2 bags/ha. If manure, broadcast at 10 ton/ha and harrow before planting.
Returns depend on how effectively you manage the pasture stand. The most important is weed control. Of course grazing should not be allowed as this will deplete the crop. While the numerous fungi and nematodes have been isolated from the grass, they rarely have any economic impact. Control the weeds during the first year by hand weeding or by use of herbicides.  In subsequent years, keep fields clean by slashing, hand pulling or mowing of weeds.

During the establishment year soil nitrogen is adequate for grass productivity. Additional nutrients in the form of inorganic fertilizer or farmyard manure are required in subsequent seasons. Topdress grass with 5-7 bags CAN or ASN per ha per year in 3 splits during the rain season or 5-10 tons of farmyard manure. Topdress with 2 bags SSP or 1 bag of TSP per ha per year in addition to the nitrogen fertilizers after the establishment year in areas with phosphate deficiencies.  Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied one or two months before the dry season in order to increase yields during the dry season.

DM yields generally range from about (2-) 10-25 t/ha, depending on soil fertility , environmental conditions, and cutting frequency.  Yields in the second year may be double those of the establishment year, but this also depends on management and environmental conditions.  While yields of 35-60 t/ha DM are reported, these are not the norm.

Cost of establishment

As you can see, profit in the first year is Kshs. 185,500. This profit can significantly increase the following year because there will be no cost on crop establishment and yields may double. Maintenance and harvesting will be the recurring cost in the second and third year. After the third year yields diminish and it is better to remove the crop.

Silage can be made from most cultivated crops but the quality of silage produced depends on the quality of forage material ensiled. Quality of material for ensiling is also dependent on

The stage of harvesting

The younger the plant the higher the protein content but the lower the carbohydrate content. Young plants with dry matter (DM) content less than 25% are difficult to ensile.

The kind of plant material

Grass family is rich in starch and sugar while legumes are rich in protein but poor in carbohydrates. Crop plants that have high protein levels are usually low in carbohydrate content and are difficult to ensile. In practice legumes are ensiled in a mixture with grasses.

Maize is the most popular and preferred material for ensiling. Maize should be harvested at dough stage, that is when the grains have just passed the milky stage. The DM content is high at this stage. For good fermentation the crop should be chopped finely. If large pieces are ensiled air pockets will lead to aerobic respiration and hence poor quality silage.

The DM content, the quality of fermentation and the feeding value of ensiled material all interact to determine the quality of silage.

Depending on DM content silage can be categorized as high DM content silage or low DM content silage. When water can easily be squeezed out of silage by hand the silage is said to be wet and has a DM content of less than 19%. When water cannot be squeezed out by hand silage is “dry” and has DM of over 26%.

Depending on the prevailing temperature silage can be classified as good quality silage as judged by physical characteristics like taste, smell, and color. Good quality silage has pleasant vinegar smell, an acidic taste and a firm soft texture, leaves not easily rubbed, light greenish or greenish brown in color.

Overheated silage has the smell of burnt sugar, dry texture, brown in color. Badly fermented silage has strong smell, offensive taste, slimy soft texture that can easily be rubbed from the fibre of leaf, bluish green in color.