Fast Fodder Manual Portrait-Fnl
Fast Fodder Manual Portrait-Fnl
Fast Fodder Manual Portrait-Fnl
Jeton Starova
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Author: Jeton Starova
Livestock Productivity and Marketing Adviser
This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people
through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under
the Feed the Future initiative. The contents are the responsibility of the author and
Mercy Corps and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States
Government.
Hydroponic Fodder Production
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Hydroponic Fodder Production in Practice
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Hydroponic Fodder Production Rationale
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Hydroponic Racks
2 pieces;
Made of 3X3 cm welded square iron profiles;
Painted with rust proofing paint
Hydroponic trays
10cm
30cm
300cm
Detail Detail
Tray rims need to be folded to increase Bottom of the tray needs to be
structural strength. perforated with 2mm holes to
Trays need to be water proof provide for water drainage on one
side of the tray. See detail below
Detail
Folded tray rims for increased strength 8 pieces;
Made of 1.5-2 mm galvanized iron
sheet or 2 mm aluminum sheet or
fiberglass. Wood lined with plastic for
waterproofing can also be used.
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Water Reservoir and Reservoir Support
Floating valve to be
installed as high in the
reservoir as possible
Minimum height of
the support for the
reservoir is 130 cm
One piece;
Metal or plastic barrel with minimum 200 liters volume;
If water is available under pressure, float valve can be mounted on inlet;
Support for the barrel can be done from wooden poles, metal poles, concrete, etc.
If water is reliably and constantly available under pressure the entire reservoir is not
needed
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Floating valve to be installed on the water reservoir if there is
access to water mains under pressure. This is a simple floating
valve used for toilet basin reservoirs.
If there is no access to water mains under pressure, the
hydroponic reservoir is to be filled manually making this valve not
needed.
2-3% inclination
1-2% inclination
1-2% inclination
1-2% inclination
Correct Installation
The installation needs to be conducted on leveled ground. It is best if the ground is solid
(concrete) so that the hydroponic is not off-balanced over time;
The correct inclination of each of the racks in the hydroponic needs to be assured using a level;
The water reservoir (if used ) needs to be in close proximity to the hydroponic installation for
ease of operation.
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Installation of the irrigation system, which distributes the
desired amount of water to each tray.
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Housing
The hydroponic installation needs to be
housed in a simple facility that will allow
for a semi controlled environment for
better fodder growth. The following are
the basic environmental requirements for
best fodder growth:
- Ideal temperature for growth is 19-22oC;
- The trays should never be exposed to
direct sunlight, strong wind and heavy
rain;
The housing can be made of inexpensive
locally available materials;
Inexpensive and durable plastic sheeting
can be applied to further prevent exposure
to wind, direct sunlight and rain. It will also
slightly increase the humidity inside the
hydroponic facility which is desirable in
low humidity environment;
The facility floor must be solid (compacted
earth, concrete, cobblestone or similar).
The floor needs to allow for easy drainage
of excess water coming from either the
hydroponic installation or the water used
for washing the trays, soaking the seeds,
etc.;
The floor needs to be kept free of any
unnecessary equipment, garbage,
vessels and other objects that may serve
as a hiding place for rodents and harbor
other contaminants such as mold;
The approach and entrance to the facility
needs to be wide enough for ease of
operation in bringing inputs in and fodder
out and fitted with a light door;
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General Startup
The following are the factors to consider when starting production of fodder using
hydroponic technology:
What animals (and how many) will eat the fodder?
Where will you set the fodder system and what are the environmental conditions
of that location?
Is water and electricity available for the fodder system?
Is the space large enough to allow easy harvest of the fodder and maintenance
of the system?
Will you be able to clean and maintain the system as required in the location
where the fodder system will be placed?
What type of seed or grain will you grow?
Have you found a supplier for your seed/grain?
How will you store the seed to prevent loss to rodents and pests?
Do you have access to products and information to help prevent mold and fungus
growth should these occur?
Seed to be Used
For hydroponic fodder production it is best to use barley, wheat or sorghum. The seeds
of these plants sprout relatively fast and faster than other possible plants such as
maize or legumes. Fast sprouting and growth a very important in this intensive 7-9
days production cycle technology.
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General Growing Tips
Water Quality: Clean water is a very important factor. Muddy water will cause your
hydroponic system to be contaminated and possibly the silt will clod the distribution
pipes. If needed mount a filter that will prevent impurities and soil getting into the system.
The water needs to be nearly of drinking quality. The water temperature should be from
15C (minimum) to 25 C (maximum) and the pH Level should be between 6.2 and 6.4.
Climate Control: The hydroponic installation should not be exposed to direct sunlight,
wind and rain. Appropriate lighting for the photosynthetic process to be conducted should
be assured. Best air humidity for growth of fodder is 40% to 80% (60% optimum) and the
ideal temperature is between 19C and 22C.
Quality of the Seed or Grain: Although it may cost slightly more, good quality, clean
grain or seed will save time since you will not need to spend time to wash it and you
will avoid any health problems the animals fed with the fodder may have from seed full
of foreign objects and impurities. The seed has to have good germination. Do not use
seed treated with chemicals. Try to buy seed when it is cheapest on the market which is
usually after harvest. The seed should be dry enough to prevent molding and should be
protected from rodents.
Procedure
1. Soak the seed to be used for 12 - 24 hours in a 1 - 1.5% bleach solution on the day
before seeding it in the trays. For one tray presented in this design with a surface of
0.9 m2 you will need 4.5 to 5.5 kg of seed. Seed quality, germination rate and growing
conditions will affect the amount of seed required. Adjust quantity as needed. Seed
is best soaked if it is placed in a sack made of old mosquito net and submerged into
a bucket containing the bleach solution over night. That will allow for easy drainage
after soaking.
2. The seed that has soaked for 12 - 24 hours is spread in the tray with a maximum
height of 1cm. You can allow 2 - 3 cm between the seedbed and the ends of the
channel to allow room for expansion as the seeds and swell from the water and
sprout into a mat.
3. After seeding the tray, return it into position on the hydroponic rack so its irrigation
can start.
4. Trials show that one tray can produce 25 - 30 kg of fodder in 8 days cycle.
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Feeding livestock with hydroponic fodder
1. Hydroponic fodder should be used as feed supplement. The following are the
recommended amounts of fodder that can be fed daily to a single animal depending
of body weight using the rule that an animal can eat up to 1 - 1.5% of its weight of
hydroponic fodder daily:
Cattle live weight 300 - 400 kg, approximately 3 - 5 kg/day
Shoats live weight 25 - 35 kg, approximately 0.3 - 0.5 kg/day
Chicken live weight 1 - 1.5 kg, approximately 0.15 - 0.2 kg/day
2. Animals should not be fed this fodder in the morning. They should be given this
supplement fodder ration after they return from the pasture in the evening. Animals
need to get used to the fodder gradually over a 4-5 day period its gradual increase in
the daily ration.
Orderly seeded tray. Until all trays are put in function, control the
water flow frequently to assure that there is enough moisture in
the trays to support growth and there is no excess flow of water
that will wash the seeds towards the lower part of the tray. After
all trays are put in function the monitoring of the water flow will
be minimal.
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Seven to eight day old crop ready for harvest and utilization.
The fodder has dark green color. The seed contains all the
nutrients needed for 9-10 day growth in presence of only water
and sunlight for photosynthesis. Therefore, it is not necessary
to use any artificial fertilizers. If the fodder in the tray becomes
pale green in color, it means that the nutrients needed for
growth start becoming deficient. Harvest the tray and replant it
with fresh batch of seed.
Harvesting the crop on the eight day. The fodder mat is rolled
and cut using a sharp knife in manageable size cuts, commonly
called biscuits.
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FURTHER READING AND VIEWING
There is abundance of literature and video materials on Hydroponic fodder production on the internet.
Use your internet browser by keying in hydroponic fodder to find many and diversified resources. Some
are listed below.
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/#!hydrofodder/cgre
http://hydroponicskenya.com/products/fodder-systems/
http://lives-ethiopia.org/2014/04/29/hydroponic-fodder/comment-page-1/
http://www.foddersystems.com/why-fodder.html
http://www.grandeurafrica.com/how-to-maintain-cool-temperatures-in-your-hydroponic-fodder-structure/
http://oldsite.cropking.com/fodderking
http://www.agricultureinformation.com/postings/growing-fodder-hydroponically/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BYvgIlJ2Fo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTFziI70E00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE4PtZW5hwA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDQtIjPQni8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE7iSqQ9HIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xz7abcsgPs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYGFIi_IXhI
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