Hydroponic Green Fodder &Sustainable Milk Production

S.B.Patil B.Sc.Agri.

Pad.Dr.D.Y.Patil college of Agriculture,Talsande,Dist- Kolhapur

What is Hydroponic Fodder ?

Hydroponic is a method of growing of plants without soil.

Method of Hydroponic fodder production date back to the 1930’s.

Fodder can be grown hydroponically much same as vegetable, flowers, and other plants.

Hydroponic fodder systems are usually used to sprout cereal grains.

Introduction

Fodder Production systems are automated fodder production units.

Green fodder plays major role in feed of milch animals.

Non availability of irrigated lands for fodder production, higher labour cost, and small land holdings has left dairy farmer with many challenges for milk production.

Principle

Hydroponic fodder production involves supplying cereal grain with necessary moisture and nutrients, to enable germination and plant growth in the absence of a solid growing medium.

There are a range of chemical and structural changes that take place within the cereal grain through the hydroponic growing process.

The amount of sprouts produced (yield) and quality of the fodder is influenced by a number of factors including Grain, environment, Management of the system etc.

Hydroponic fodder production system

HYDROPONIC INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DAIRY BUSINESS

To grow green fodder at wider temperature (15º - 32ºC) and humidity (70 -80 %) range without fungal growth.

Environmental friendly. Contamination free fodder. Saves water and labour Fodder grown is highly palatable and nutritious Fodder improves animal health and reproductive efficiency.

Hydroponic maize fodder-Soaking for 24 hr.

• Maize seed is best choice for fodder production. • Procure good quality maize seeds with at least 85% germination rate.

• Seed should be pesticide free.

• Separate impurities from seeds by impurities-separator. • weight 1.5 kg. seeds and allow to soak in water for 24 hr. in soaking tray.

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-1st Day

• Transfer soaked seed to tray and spread uniformly through it.

• Load trays on 1st two rows of racks

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-2nd Day

• 1st day tray shift in 3rd & 4th rows of trays.

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-3rd Day

• Respective below two rows ofracks till they reach bottom two rows which coincides on 7th day

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-4th Day

•The environmental factors that influence in the forage production.

• The duration of daylight influences vegetative development.

•The ideal temperature is 21º C, and it should be as constant as possible.

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-5th Day

Irrigation system:-•The watering system is electronically controlled and delivers water at the optimum rate

•The sprinkler systems are shown here with the latest in filters and dispensing nozzles

•It requires just 2- 3 liters of water to produce one kg of lush green fodder Water left over in hydroponics is recycled to grow the fodder.

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-6th Day

Adjusting nutrient flows:-•Nutrient flows are adjusted across each stack, along with water.

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-7th Day

Mould :-•Mould is actively managed within sheds through pre treatment of the seed. •Additives to the water are used for pre-soaking the grain to minimize the risk of mould.

•Shed hygiene is also important and thus considerable attention is paid.

Hydroponic fodder Growth Stage-8th Day (Ready to feed)

•One tray containing 1.5 kg maize seeds produces 7-9 kg green fodder with fodder height of 20-25 cm.

Advantages of Hydroponic fodder Fulfills bulk of animal easily and quickly. Major source of vegetable proteins. Good Source of carbohydrates. Good Source of minerals . Good Source of vitamins. Good Source of water. Probably suited for Semi-arid and drought-prone region of the world. water scared area, where this technique efficiently used. Failure of the crop no longer risk. Due to continues production through out year no need for longer storage and

loss of nutrient that can be associated with feed storage. Wastage of water and nutrient lower than conventional production of fodder.

Conventional green fodder Vs Hydroponic green fodder ( for 600 kg. production)

Attributes Conventional green fodder

Hydroponic green fodder

Area 10.000 Sq.mts. 50 Sq.mts.

Land fertility Essential No Essential

Fertilizers Required Not required

Water and electricity

Very high Very low

Labour requirement More Less

Growth period 45-60 days 7 days

Fodder yield Based on Climate Under control environment

Fencing and production

Required Not required

Yield and Chemical Composition of Conventional green fodder Vs Hydroponic green fodder

Nutrient Conventional green fodder

Hydroponic green fodder

Protein 10.67 13.57Ether Extract 2.27 3.49Crude Fiber 25.92 14.07Nitrogen Free Extract 51.78 66.72Total Ash 9.36 3.84Acid Insoluble ash 1.40 0.33

Source: ICAR Research Complex, Goa

Feeding of Hydroponic green fodder

separate fodder matting into small pieces prior feeding to milch animal

It is highly succulent and relished by dairy animals

Based on protein content, it is advised to feed 7-8 kg. hydroponics maize green fodder to replace 1kg.concentrate mixture.

As it is highly succulent, it is recommended to offer maximum 20 kg. hydroponic green fodder per day per animal.

Feeding mixture of hydroponic green fodder with other dry and green fodders to dairy animal is beneficial.

Effect on milk production of cattle after feeding of hydroponic green fodder

Enhancement of milk production

Milk nutritive value increases

These method helpful for organic milk production

Economic milk production possible.

 Feeding of Hydroponic maize fodder to lactating cows increased the digestibility of nutrients and milk production leading to increase in net profit.

Conclusion

Natural green fodder is the key to decreasing feeding cost during milk production.

Due to non availability and higher land costs, minimum Utilization of fodder producing areas to feed livestock.

This system also eliminates additional pressure on already over worked irrigation system.

It is the demand of the dairy owners in the states, were there is low land holdings, scarcity of water, saline water, higher lobour and land cost.

Video of Hydroponic production:-

• Hydroponic production step by step-link

• Production of Green fodder by hydroponic technique-Link