The document reviews hydroponic fodder production and its value for livestock. It discusses the principles and methods of hydroponic production. Key benefits include reduced land, water and time requirements compared to conventional fodder production. Hydroponic fodder is also more nutritious, increasing livestock productivity through higher milk yields, meat gains, and overall animal health and performance. However, the initial capital costs of hydroponic systems can be prohibitive.

1. ARBA MINCH
UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCE
REVIEW ON
HYDROPONIC FEED VALUE TO
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
BY
NEGESSE GASHU (PRAS/043/13
FEBRUARY, 2021
ARBA MINCH, ETHIOPIA
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2. Presentation outline
Introduction
Objective
Literature review
Conclusion and
Recommendation
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3. 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
The human population will grow to an estimated 8 billion
people by 2025 and 9 billion by 2050, and
It is widely recognized that global agricultural
productivity must increase to feed the world‘s population
(Sekhon, 2014).
The increase in livestock production demands nutrient
requirement to feed animals.
Productive and reproductive performance of animals can
be increased through feeding of green fodder.
Now a day‘s scarcity of land has been shown as a great
constraint of forage production for ruminant animals
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4. Cont…
Having these and other problems in mind, alternative
technologies like the hydroponics found critical (Naik et al.,
2015).
It is a technique of growing crops like barley without use of
chemicals and artificial growth agents(soil).
It is characterized by short growth period with around 7-10
days and need of a small piece of land for production (Mooney
J, 2005). And has extraordinary protein, vitamins, fibres and
mineral contents with their healthy beneficial effects on
animals.
Therefore, this technology is an important agricultural
technique currently used in many countries (Tudor G. et al.,
2005).
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5. 1.2. Objectives
General objective
 To review the Hydroponic Feed Value to Livestock
Production
Specific objectives
 To review principles of hydroponic fodder production and
methods of hydroponic fodder production
 To review importance and benefits of hydroponic fodder
production and its challenges
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6. 2. LITERATUR RIVIEW
2.1. Historical Background of Hydroponic Fodder Production
In mid-1800, Jean Boussingault, a French chemist verified
nutritional requirement of plants grown without soil.
Gericke (1920-1930) developed procedures to grow plants in
nutrient solution on a large scale and In 1939, Leitch reviewed
a range of experiments using sprouted fodder for different
livestock and poultry
In 1969, Woodward, an English scientist, made attempt to
grow plants in various sources of water.
In late 1980s, attempts were made in India for propagating
hydroponics technology for forage production and research
works were undertaken by several workers (Reddy et al.,
1988).
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7. 2.2. Principles of Hydroponic Fodder Production
The basic principle for hydroponic fodder
production is that
Cereal grains responds to moisture and nutrient
solution for germination and growth in the
absence of a solid growing medium and
Produce green plants in short time.
The resulting green shoots and root mat are
harvested and fed to livestock.
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8. 2.3. Method of Hydroponics Fodder Production
Seeds are soaked in normal water for 4-24 hours for the
production of hydroponics fodder,
For maize, 4 hours is enough to soak in normal water
(Naik et al., 2013).
It is possible to produce hydroponic maize fodder with a
seed rate of 6.4-7.6.kg of maize per meter square (Sneath
and McIntosh, 2003).
The grains can usually sprout within the greenhouse for
seven days and on the eighth day they are fed to the dairy
cattle (Naik, 2013).
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9. 2.4. Importance of Hydroponic Feeds
The major limitations of the conventional method of
fodder cultivations are overcome by the hydroponics
technology.
Less land is required as the vertical growing process
allows the production of large volume of hydroponics
fodder on a fraction of the area
Under hydroponics technology, about 600 kg maize
fodders can be produced daily in seven days only in 50
sq. m. area.
It is estimated that to produce the same amount of fodder,
about 1 ha land is required.
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10. Cont…
Attributes Conventional
Green fodder
Hydroponics
Green fodder
Savings on
Area 10000 sq. meters 50 sq. meters Land
Fodder production in
days(growth period)
60 – 70 days 7 days Time saved on growth
period
Water and electricity
requirement
Very high Very low Water and power saving
Land fertility Essential Not essential Soil conditioning
Fertilizer Required Not required Saving on fertilizer
Fodder yield
dependency
On climate, rain
water etc.
In controlled
environment
Not dependency
Fodder utilization by
animals
Partial Complete Reduction in fodder waste
Labour requirement More Less Saving on labour
Fencing and protection Required Not required Saving on fencing cost
Fodder feeding practice By chopping Not required Saves chopping time and
labour
Source UNION LTD CURTI PONDA – GOA -404301
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11. 2.4.1. Saving water in fodder production
Hydroponic system minimizes water wastage since it is
applied directly to the roots and is often recycled and used
several times.
The research findings concluded that hydroponic system
equates to only 2-5% of water used in traditional fodder
production system
It takes between 1 to 2 litres of water to produce one kilo
of fodder as compared with 80 – 90 litres of water to
grow a kilo of green grass (Calder, 2002).
This is especially important in those areas suffering from
chronic water shortages or where the infrastructure for
irrigation does not exist.
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12. 2.4.2. Less space requirement
Hydroponic systems require much less space and makes
ideal for urban dwellers with limited yard space.
Using hydroponics technology, up to 1000 kg maize
fodder can be produced daily from 45-50 m2 area which is
equivalent to conventional fodder produced in 25 acres of
cultivable land
Practically, one square meter area can produce ample
fodder for two cows per day and the milk yield was
increased by 13%
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13. Cont…
Research shows that fodder grown in a 9m x 6m shed can
feed (supplement) daily, the same amount of cattle that
graze on 1200 acres of pastured country in our area of
Queensland (Rachel Jeminah et al., 2015).
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14. 2.4.3. Less labour & time requirement
Depending on the size of the shed in use, research has
shown that as little as 1 hour per day is needed to
maintain and produce hydroponic fodder.
As compared to the many hours of intense labour
required growing the same amount of feed as a pasture
crop.
More time will be required however depending on the
distances being travelled to feed the hydroponic fodder to
livestock (Naik and Singh, 2013).
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15. 2.4.4. Less growing time
Hydroponic technology takes only 8 days to develop from
seed to fodder where it took at least 45 days for a
conventional fodder to grow.
The growing time of hydroponic plants takes as little as 7
days from seed germination to a fully grown plant as at a
height of 25 – 30cm ready for harvest.
For every 1kg of seed, 7 – 10kg of edible fodder is
produced. However to grow the same amount of fodder in
a paddock situation, would take up to 12 weeks from seed
germination until ready to feed out to livestock‘.
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16. Cont…
Thus showing the great advantage this system has for
farmers.
Hydroponic Maize forage within 7 days
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17. 2.4.5. Constant Feed Supply
Hydroponic technology has removed the need for long-
term storage of feeds. Unfortunately, Hay, silage and
other feeds lose some of their nutritional value during
storage.
Farmers using this type of fodder production are
guaranteed a consistent supply of quality fodder 365 days
of the year irrespective of rain, hail, sunshine or snow.
Having this constant food supply also allows farmers to
retain their stock, selling them when the prices are
suitable without having to accept poor market prices
because of lesser quality livestock (Prafulla KN. Et al.
2015).
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18. 2.4.6. Natural feed for livestock
The fodder is produced without the use of any hormones,
synthetic growth stimulant or chemical fertilisers, as any
fertilisers that are used are totally organic.
Therefore there are no pesticides or fungicides used that
could alternately contaminate the meat or milk that are
being produced.
The use of a completely natural sprouted fodder in beef
production produced a beef that is particularly pleasing,
of exceptionally fine quality and produces an exceptional
carcass (Joseph-mooney-2002).
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19. 2.4.7. Health Benefit for Animals
Where winters can last 250 days, the death rate of new
born cattle was extremely high.
The contaminated environment and unfavourable weather
conditions made healthy fodder difficult to come by.
With the introduction of hydroponically grown feed, the
death rate fell sharply and the surviving animals were
stronger and healthier (Naik PK et al. 2012).
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20. 2.5. Nutritional Values of Hydroponic Feeds
The nutrient quality of hydroponic fodder is superior over
common non-leguminous fodders in terms of crude
protein (CP), organic matter, ether extract (EE) and NFE.
Nutrient deviation occurs during sprouting which increase
in crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen free extract but
decrease in crude fibre, total ash and insoluble ash.
There is no nutrients wastage as the shoots and roots of
the plant consumed together.
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21. 2.5.1. High nutrients
Hydroponic fodder is a highly effective, particularly
nutritious feed, which produces maximum protein and is
very rich in vitamins such as B-carotene, trace elements
and 13 enzymes.
This fodder is 90 – 95% digestible unlike unsprouted
grains, which are at the best 30% digestible.
Hydroponically grown green feed also contains a very
high moisture content thus helping to reduce the problem
of colic amongst livestock (Naik PK et al. 2012).
According to Ryan, (2002) the nutritional status of
hydroponically grown feed, found that every kilogram of
fodder was equivalent nutritionally to 3kgs of lucerne.
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22. 2.5.2. Digestibility
Sneath and McIntosh (2003) report that there is
conflicting evidence as to whether sprouting improves or
reduces DM digestibility as compared to the raw grain.
Even if there is a loss in dry matter content of sprouted
barley fodder there is being an advantage in their
digestibility.
In rumen the digestibility of the sprouts is higher than
cracked grain.
However, comparing the digestibility of shoot and root
sprouts, shoots easily degrade in the rumen. Therefore,
ruminant animals prefer leafy than stemmy (Dung et al.,
2010).
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23. 2.5.3. Energy
Processed grain (cracked) and sprouts are both highly
digestible and nutritious feeds.
The process of sprouting the grain turns the starch in the
grain to sugars in the sprouts (Sneath and McIntosh,
2003).
A trial did find that steers did perform better than expected
on a diet of sprouts and hay
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24. 2.5.4. Protein
The effect of sprouting on protein content isn‘t clear,
with some studies illustrating increases in protein, and
others decreases in protein.
 In one of the latest fodder studies, Dung et al. (2010)
found crude protein; ash and all other minerals except
potassium were higher in concentration on a DM basis in
the sprouts than in the barley grain.
This illustrates an advantage to the fodder.
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25. 2.5.5. Vitamins
The vitamin content is generally improved by sprouting.
Hydroponic fodder is especially rich in vitamin C and E.
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26. 2.6. Effect of Hydroponic Feeds on Livestock
Productivity
Hydroponic fodders are highly digestible, palatable and
relished by the animals.
Reddy et al. (1988) observed significant increases in the
digestibility of nutrients in lactating cows fed hydroponic
fodder compared to those fed Napier bajra (NB-21) green
fodder.
The daily milk yield was 8 -14% higher in animals fed
total mixed ration (TMR) containing hydroponic maize or
barley fodder than those fed conventional green fodder
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27. Cont…
The hydroponic fodder tunes longer lactation period,
improve fat percentage and general herd health.
Besides increased milk yield,
conception rate,
herd health and longevity were also improved as well
as reduce the cost of veterinary aids (Naik et al. 2015).
Nutritional composition of different hydroponic fodders
and their nutrient digestibility are well evident for the
better livestock use and production.
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28. 2.6.1. Overall Performance
Tudor et al. (2003) have found that steers supplemented
with hydroponic barley sprouts performed higher than
expected for a period.
Feeding of the sprouted grains improve the animals‘
productivity by developing a stronger immune system
due to neutralization of the acidic condition by
supplementation of alkaline digestive enzymes through
sprouted grains.
Sprouted grains are good sources of pigments containing
chlorophyll, xanthophylls, grass juice and protein sparing
factors which improves the production and reproductive
performance of the livestock
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29. 2.6.2. Milk Production
Studies on improvement of milk production through
hydroponic fodder feeding shows improvement than
animals fed cereal grains, hay or silage.
Hydroponic fodder increase milk yield by 10.07% (Reddy
et al. 1988), 12.5% (Anonymous 2012) and 13.73% (Naik
et al. 2013)
The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that
dietary hydroponic supplementation increases milk fat
percentage and pH with superior quality of milk (Agius et
al. 2019).
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30. 2.6.3. Meat Production
Hydroponic fodder improves the body weight gain of
lambs which may be realized due to presence of high
bioactive enzymes and ingredients that improve
livestock performances (Naik and Singh 2013).
In beef cattle, average increase of 200 g is achieved
through feeding of hydroponic fodder than maize.
Similarly, 8% improvement in body weight gain is
reported in birds and other animals (Muhammad et al.
2013).
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31. 2.7. Challenges of Hydroponic Fodder
Production
Cost
The initial capital expense of these systems can be
prohibitive and, in general, the cost to produce fodder on
a per pound of dry matter basis is high.
 A recent economic study showed that fodder costs $0.40
per pound of dry matter to produce as compared to $0.11
per pound of dry matter for good quality hay (Tranel,
2013).
When compared on a dry matter basis, one study found
that sprouts cost two to five times more than the original
grain (Sneath and McIntosh, 2003).
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32. Challenge cont…
Mold
A primary drawback of fodder systems is the high
potential for mold growth.
Almost every study reviewed mentioned mold as a
drawback to hydroponic fodder systems.
The warm temperatures and high moisture content needed
to provide excellent growing conditions for sprouted
grains are, unfortunately, also prime conditions for
growing mold (Kerr, 2014).
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33. Challenge cont…
Dry Matter Loss
The majority of studies evaluating fodder systems
showed dry matter losses when grains are converted to
sprout
The fresh weight of fodder does increase so there will be
increases on an as fed basis but this is due to the high
water content in the fodder.
Dry matter losses, which range from 7% to 47% in
hydroponically sprouted grains are due to utilization of
starch stored in the seed during the first week of growth
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34. Challenge cont…
Potential for rumen acidosis
The act of sprouting activates enzymes that change the
starches in the grain over to sugar which does increase
digestibility of this feed.
However, too much sugar (through too much fodder fed or
fed too quickly) can lead to acidosis (Hafla et al., 2014).
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35. 3. Conclusion
The production of livestock needs a healthy supply of
fodder for better production; But during the dry season
there seems to be a lean supply.
There must therefore be an alternative like that of the
production of hydroponic fodder.
Hydroponics is a smart alternative technology against
scarcity of land and impeding climate changes.
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36. Cont…
The hydroponic system requires a fraction of conventional
agriculture's water use while still offering high quality
stock feed.
Generally this technology has a solution to avoid scarcity
of green feed especially in dry seasons and urban areas
having a shortage of land and water for forage production.
Having a characteristic of high intake palatable and
digestible properties, this technology is best chosen than
cereal grains and other concentrate feeding.
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37. 4. Recommendations
Hydroponics is a promising fodder production technology
for intensive livestock production. However; the
hydroponic forage production is not successfully practiced
yet in Ethiopia.
Based on above conclusion I recommended that
The governmental, commercial animal producers and
nongovernmental organization should be actively
participating in promoting to introduce the technology for
urban and rural animal producers,
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38. Cont…
Forage seed multiplication centre's should also develop
demonstration sites for hydroponic fodder production
practices in parallel,
The government should permit the importation of
hydroponic forage production materials with low cost and
short period of time,
Regional, Zonal and local livestock development offices
should create mobilization schedule of implementation for
this issue.
This technology require further research and analysis to
overcome possible failures of forage yield and nutritional
quality, and researchers need to overcome this problem
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