Hydroponic fodder system

[Jive Turkey]

Very interesting video.

https://youtu.be/b2XYLEliMhQ

 

[knabe]

warning.


prototype this before spending too much.


not even remotely comprehensive.

 

[knabe]

if it was me, i would match the growing system with the feed bunk length and put it right next to it under a barn.

that may not work with sealing the chamber (the doors are swinging)

make it easy to feed and reseed in one operation.

maybe that's why they put wheels on them.

in college, we used cement trays to grow experimental plots to do this.

this was years ago. it wasn't densely stacked or even remotely portable and the crop science and beef departments really didn't talk with each other.

 

[knabe]

i almost want to say a conveyor system why automatically dumps the chunks into the bunk would be cool. could also be used to deposit the seed.


just push a button.


seems ripe for some creative automation rather than just chambers, lights, misters.


the planter trays look like they have come a long way and are much more easily washed, get the fodder out etc.

 

[Medium Rare]

There are several systems that are nearly completely automated. Seeding, watering, lights, heat, etc are all part of the self controlled system that dumps it into a tmr mixer cart.

I've never known one of these systems to be financially feasible, but I suppose some "grass fed" niche market could have a big enough premium to pull it off.

 

[knabe]

https://alifeofheritage.com/farm-living/fodder/

 

[knabe]

https://www.progressivecattle.com/topics/feed-nutrition/hydroponic-forage-system-too-good-to-be-true

 

[Duncraggan]

When it comes to efficient, water saving agriculture, you need to look to the Israelis.I believe they have some of the most efficient agricultural production in the world.
In a nutshell, if they market this type of technology then it will work! If not, research it very carefully!
From my own enquiries, roughage is the determining factor, and you need lots of it, cheaply, to make the system profitable.