Why Is a Hydroponic Fodder System More Suitable for Livestock Farmers?

For livestock farming, grass is the primary feed, but the shortage of forage has significantly impacted the livestock industry. This scarcity makes it difficult for farmers to expand their herds, and artificial forage cultivation has become a critical aspect of moderately scaled livestock farming in rural areas. Farmers widely recognize the importance of growing high-quality forage to raise healthy animals. A hydroponic fodder system, which uses water circulation to grow forage, utilizes LED plant lights instead of sunlight, allowing for rapid and stable grass growth to meet the high demand for large-scale farming. The forage produced can be fed directly to livestock.

This is especially valuable during winter or early spring, when fresh grass is unavailable, and livestock may suffer from weight loss or even death, causing economic losses for farmers. Animals need more forage to sustain their bodily functions during this time, yet dried hay or feed lacks sufficient water and fiber. Fresh forage, on the other hand, has high water content, a fresh taste, and is easy to digest. Its tender, green characteristics retain essential nutrients and have a distinctive aroma that stimulates animals' appetites, promoting better growth and development for livestock such as pigs, cattle, and sheep. Fresh forage is difficult to source in winter, but a hydroponic fodder system provides a continuous supply of fresh grass, ensuring animals get the nutrients they need year-round.

Soilless cultivation of forage has emerged as a new technology over the past few decades. Rather than growing in soil, the grass is cultivated using a water circulation method in controlled environments such as containerized vertical farms or indoor facilities. Since it doesn’t use natural soil, it is known as soilless cultivation.

Hydroponic fodder systems utilize hydroponics, a method of soilless cultivation that doesn't require fertilizers or pesticides, only regular watering. On the third day after sowing, seeds begin to sprout, and by the seventh day, the grass reaches a height of 15–20 cm, ready for harvest and consumption. The hydroponic process transforms the forage seeds, converting otherwise difficult-to-absorb proteins and starches into easily absorbable amino acids and glucose, thereby greatly increasing the feed’s biological conversion rate. Grass produced through hydroponics has a high nutritional value, enhancing the animals’ disease resistance.

The fresh forage harvested can be consumed in its entirety, including the roots. It grows densely, has a good texture, and is dust-free, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases in animals. Its high water content aids digestion, helping to prevent digestive tract disorders. Additionally, the forage is packed with essential nutrients, rich in high-energy proteins, vitamins, and calcium.