Dairy farmers turning to hydroponics.

The increase in cost of feed for dairy farmers has prompted the need to look for feed alternatives without reducing quality of products.

 Hydroponic fodder is a suitable means of revamping the dairy sector. The high cost of feed coupled with drought conditions and scarcity of these high feed prices is creating havoc for many dairy farmers,prompting some producers to find an innovative and cost-effective solution with sprout fodder. 

The green fodder is very high in protein and metabolisable energy hence it is highly digestible. Green fodder is an important component of the dairy ration, as the productive and reproductive performance of the dairy animals is adversely affected,thus for sustainable dairy farming, quality green fodder should be fed regularly to the dairy animals.more 

 This is the story of a farmer turning to hydroponics to feed cows; Rose Chelang’at decided to take up hydroponics farming at her dairy farm ,she invested approximately $113 to purchase the required material and embark on a new technology journey. 

 Two of her dairy cows now produce four more liters per day, increasing their daily milk production from 11 to 15 liters. She gets an additional 12 liters per day from my third cow, all this after introducing the hydroponically grown fodder into the diet of her herd. more

Revamping the dairy sector with hydroponic fodder.

The increase in cost of feed for dairy farmers has prompted the need to look for feed alternatives without reducing quality of products. 

Hydroponic fodder is a suitable means of revamping the dairy sector. The high cost of feed coupled with drought conditions and scarcity of these high feed prices is creating havoc for many dairy farmers,prompting some producers to find an innovative and cost-effective solution with sprout fodder. 

The green fodder is very high in protein and metabolisable energy hence it is highly digestible. Green fodder is an important component of the dairy ration, as the productive and reproductive performance of the dairy animals is adversely affected,thus for sustainable dairy farming, quality green fodder should be fed regularly to the dairy animals. 

The provision of fresh fodder can be readily available throughout the year irrespective of weather,land crisis or water shortage. 

 The advantages of using hydroponic fodder in dairy farming are :

 1) Cheap fresh fodder. 

 2) low labor cost. 

 3) increase in milk yield. 

 4) increase in body weight. 

 5)increase in butterfat in milk. 

 6) increases survival rate of calf.

 7) improved herd health .

 8)improved hoof health. 

 9)low incidence of mastitis. 

 10) glossy coat .

 Hydroponic fodder mimics the benefits of fresh pasture and is a better feed option for grazing animals. Ruminants are able to digest fodder sprouts easier as its more digestible than grain, thus improving feed efficiency, milk and meat production. 

 The hydroponic system can use various seeds such as corn, millet,sorghum,oats,wheat e.t.c. ,but the benefits of using corn for dairy far out-ways other seeds.The corn fodder is rich naturally high in fiber, these sprouts are an excellent feed for ruminants. 

 The corn sprouts have high energy levels, low starch content and have a low acid content and this reduces the occurrence of acidosis.   Feeding sprouted  fodder will result in higher milk yields and better quality beef.

 Dairy farmers incorporating hydroponic fodder have cut cost of production while increasing productivity of cows and milk production as farmers record an increase of 2 litres of milk/cow.

The corn seeds requires about 1.5 litres of water to produce 1kg of fodder, with no pesticides,no contamination and no waste.

Benefits of hydroponic fodder for poultry.

Poultry feed is very expensive in the market, thus opening up doors for innovation to reduce cost without reducing quality of products. The shift to hydroponically grown fodder is an easy choice for poultry producers. The Sprouted fodder is considered a complete ration for poultry as it contains all of the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for optimal meat and egg production,however the rate of inclusion in the diet must be regulated to boost productivity. The benefits of using the hydroponic fodder are as follows ;1) reduction in cost of production. 2) faster growth rate for birds. 3) high quality and quantity of eggs. 4) low disease incidence.5)limited space for production. 6)low water usage . The green fodder is very high in protein and metabolisable energy, which is very digestible by most animals and this increases with day of harvest. The fodder for poultry should be harvested at day 4,as its succulent with less fiber content and easily digested , feeding fodder over 4days will result in reduced activity,low egg numbers and inappetence in birds. The cost implication of using this fodder is minimal as 2kg of corn will produce 10kg of fodder in 7 days, and one chicken will feed on 200gm of fodder a day. The best method of incorporation is to use 70% of the fodder with 30% of the compounded feed and water should be available always. start

How to make hydroponic fodder for poultry.

The effect of climate change on food production and food security is a challenge that concerns and affects everybody.

Food is needed by all creatures and as such the production,distribution and availability is of paramount importance. 

   The effect of drought on farming areas,farmers' productivity and food security is begging for attention,therefore innovative ideas are springing up as to how to feed the ever increasing population with limited land resource and high cost of feed for livestock.

 Feeding poultry this period is very expensive,with farmers seeking alternatives to boost production and also make profit. see 

 The hydroponic system refers to growing seeds in soil less  but nutrient rich media that will foster rapid growth of plants. 

   Hydroponic fodder system is an answer to climate change affecting agriculture and food security. The hydroponic fodder for poultry with corn, reduces the cost of feed and bags of feed required for the flock. 

 This is an innovative way i discovered of making fodder for poultry using disposable plates;

The fodder for poultry is ready in 4 days.

 Method; 1) select clean seeds . 

2) soak seeds in a solution of vinegar+ water or bleach solution. 

3) wash after 4 hours in clean water and drain . 

4) incubate seeds 

5) transfer to prepared trays 

6)spray plates with nutrients 3 times a day 

7) start harvesting .

Lagos to Host Nigeria Poultry and Livestock Exhibition.(NIPOLI)

Nigeria poultry and livestock(NIPOLI) expo holds March 23-25 in Lagos. The event is a wide forum with valuable information about poultry industry, feed equipment, technology, breeders, egg farming, poultry nutrition, animal health and international standard poultry production. It will also showcase latest advances in poultry research, science and technology like cages and feed milling importance. It also offers advanced knowledge and understanding of poultry industry via scientific forums, training's and career opportunities. The main aim of this exhibition is to help keep abreast of the latest developments and practice in the poultry and livestock management, health & nutrition, breeding and new techniques in feed manufacturing and production. NIPOLI EXPO 2017 is a unique platform to display, developments and thinking for the improvement of the industry and also attract ample trading and investment opportunities.see and Leading regional and international poultry industry experts will come together on single platform at Mimaya Exhibition & Events Centre to share their intelligence and experience to provide insights for those working in the many sectors of this vast industry, such as livestock feed manufactures, veterinary products & services, animal biotechnology / bio security, fishery nutrition / health products, poultry equipment manufactures, dairy farming equipment, poultry & cattle feed machinery, poultry & other animal breeders etc. Investors and partnership opportunities here more

How to use yogurt to reverse depression.

Probiotic found in yogurt can reverse depression symptoms. Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have reversed depression in mice by feeding them Lactobacillus, a probiotic bacteria found in live-cultures yogurt. The scientists also discovered a specific mechanism of how the bacteria affect mood, providing a direct link between the health of the gut microbiome and mental health. The role of the gut microbiome the bacteria that live inside us has been of tremendous interest to researchers studying depression and other health conditions, both mental and physical.Stress increases chances of depression thus fingering it as a trigger for mood swings. Loading up on yogurt can actually switch moods and stop depression,life truly is in the gut.

Aluminium Toxicity in Tomato and how to genetically control it.

Aluminium Toxicity in Tomato and how to genetically control it.Aluminium toxicity has been recognized as a major limiting factor for plant productivity on acid soil, which comprises about 40% of the arable land in the world. The problem of aluminium toxicity is particular serious in low pH acidic soils (pH<5.5) that is difficult to reclaimed with lime. At low pH, dissolution of Al-containing compounds is enhanced and the release of toxic Al3+ ions into the soil solution that can rapidly inhibit root growth. The major sign of aluminum toxicity is rapid inhibition of root growth. Different plant species have developed different mechanisms to minimize the harmful effects of Aluminum toxicity. The most common mechanisms of Al3+ resistance is the secretion of anions of organic acids from the roots. It is possible to detoxify Al3+ in surface soil by liming to pH 5.5 or above. However, liming is not a remedy for subsoil acidity and it is not always economically feasible. Therefore, the most appropriate strategy to overcome Al-toxicity is to select or breed genotypes with tolerance to aluminium toxicity. For this, sources of tolerance and pattern of inheritance need to be identified. In order to investigate the genetic mechanism of tolerance it is necessary to screen and measure the tolerance of aluminium toxicity in large number of genotypes by using rapid, effective and reproducible screening techniques. Several screening techniques have been employed in evaluating Al3+ tolerance in plants such as root length, root re-growth, staining of roots with hematoxylin, root re-growth after staining. source