Hi everyone,
There has been a lot of interest in growing barley fodder for sheep.
There still needs to be a lot of research done on its suitability as
a feedstuff and how much of a sheep's diet can be replaced with
fodder. I've been skeptical about the claims from fodder system
manufacturers and I'm still waiting for the science to be done. Susan
Shoenian published a good article today that also suggests caution
when experimenting with fodder for your sheep. You can read her full
article at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/hydrofodder.html
Susan is an Extension Sheep & Goat Specialist at the University of
Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center in
Keedysville. She is an avid supporter of hair sheep and does more to
educate the public via her Web sites and newsletters than anyone else I know.
Carol
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 14:32:07 +0000
From: Susan Schoenian <ssch...@umd.edu>
Subject: [SHEPHERDSNOTEBOOK] [Shepherd's Notebook] Hydroponic Fodder For Feed
To: shepherdsnoteb...@listserv.umd.edu
Although the methods of hydroponic fodder production date back to
the 1930's, there is renewed interest in hydroponic fodder as a
feedstuff for sheep, goats, and other livestock.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Fodder
(livestock feed) can be grown hydroponically much the same as
vegetables, flowers, and other plants. Barley is the most commonly
grown forage, because it usually gives the best yield of nutrients.
A hydroponic fodder system usually consists of a framework of
shelves on which metal or plastic trays are stacked. In 5 to 8 days
time, seeds produce a 6 to 8 inch high grass mat that can be fed to
livestock. While there is a 6 to 10-fold increase in feed weight
from the original one pound of grain, the increase is almost all water.
Hydroponic fodder is a palatable and highly nutritious feed for all
classes of livestock, but its high moisture content (10-15%), makes
it a very expensive feed supplement.
Proponents of hydroponic fodder systems make all sorts of claims
about hydroponic fodder as a feed for livestock, but few of these
claims have been substantiated or proven to be repeatable in experiments.
While hydroponic fodder is not likely to become a major source of
feed for commercial livestock, it may be feasible under certain circumstances.
<http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/hydrofodder.html>Read full article
--
Posted By Susan Schoenian to
<http://mdsheepgoat.blogspot.com/2013/04/hydroponic-fodder-for-feed.html>Shepherd's
Notebook at 4/04/2013 10:32:00 AM
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
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