FodderTech Mini Module Systems.

The mini fodder modules have been developed to suit the hobby farmer or person with smaller livestock quantities.

Developing the mini modules we have used the K.I.S approach. (Keep it simple). However there are still basic rules you will need to adhere to.

As you can see there are several options for you to pursue and all of our options come in a kit form. We believe that you, our customer will save a huge amount as you will be the one building the system and the price of our modules reflects this. But we have made it so simple for you to build, with a comprehensive guide and you will be surprised how quickly you put the whole kit together. Having said that we are only a phone call away if you have any questions.

All you have to do is decide which size kit you will need to feed your animals. We generally operate on a 2 - 2.5% of the animal's body weight - for our green fodder and the rest is made up with hay or paddock feed or Dry Matter (D.M). This could be as much as 1 - 2% (DM), but it will depend your existing pasture and the dietary needs of your or livestock.
Therefore based on the 2 - 2.5% rule of thumb:
500kg Horse would require daily between 10 - 12.5kg of green fodder per day, plus DM.
40kg Sheep would require daily between 800gms & 1kg per day plus DM.

If you are feeding young growing animals, you will need to increase the green fodder intake as they increase their weight.

Not all livestock will take immediately to the green fodder, indeed, some will turn away. This is easily solved, by spraying a little watered down Molasses onto the green fodder and then introduce it to the animal slowly. You will notice that within a week to 10 days, your animals (sheep in particular), will come running when they see you approaching with the green fodder.

IMPORTANT: Ruminants do not take to diet change quickly, so we do not advocate a 'stop start' replacement of your current diet regime with green fodder. Over a period of a week to 10 days, slowly introduce your animals to the green fodder. Increase the daily amounts of green fodder, while at the same time reduce volume of their previous diet. Once your animal is fully accustomed to the green fodder, watch the changes.

• Increased well being,
• Reduced recovery time after hard work
• Stimulation of appetite, especially during conditions of heat stress
• Reduction in the incidence of Gut Ulcers in racehorses
• Reduction in the incidence of Laminitis in working horses
• Improvements in behaviour, i.e., reduction of "fizz" in working horses
• Great improvements in general appearance & coat gloss
• Substantial improvements in hoof quality & strength
• Improved conception rates in broodmares on poor quality pastures
• Improved performance of young foals on broodmares in poor paddocks.
• Good weight gains on poor quality pastures
• Improved conception rates in ewes and does
• Improved weaning rates in herds on poor quality pastures
• Fewer herd health problems
• Improved milk yields in milking goats
• Improved appearance of fleece in fibre goats.
• Improved fleece in fine wool sheep.

It is a well known fact that the only animal designed to eat whole grains are birds. They then store the grain in their crop, where it sits in moist warm conditions and sprouts. Once sprouted, they digest the grain. Ruminants most definitely struggle to digest whole grains and it is widely known that many digestive problems are attributed to whole grain diets.

You have made your decision and you know what size kit you need, where to now?

Ok, now you have to create a growing room environment and here you have two choices.

1. Buy a shed kit from us, complete with growing module, air conditioner and insulation etc.
2. Or modify an existing dwelling on your property to house the growing module.

How do I do that and why?

Environment.

It is important for you to understand why we need to create an environment to grow our sprouts. Without the environment, you will get poor germination, low conversions rates and create a situation where moulds can thrive and destroy your crop.

The ideal environment in the Growing Room is one where

1. Relative humidity is maintained between 40 - 80%
2. The ambient temperatures should not rise above 24C and not drop below 16 C.
3. Air movement
4. Fresh air.
5. Water temperature should not rise above 24 C and not drop below 16 degrees Celsius.

How much will it cost me to feed my animals?

Let's work on the premise it currently costs you $15 per day to feed three horses buying in feed, together with paddock grazing for their dry matter intake. Barley Grain costs around $0.50 cents per kg. Sprouted Grain at conversion rates in our system start at 1kg of dry grain, seven days later = 6kg of sprouts.

*Includes pumps, fans and air conditioners, but electricity rates can vary from state to state.

The above table is based on conversion rates of 1kg of dry grain = 6kg of sprouted grain, 7 x 24 hour periods later. Green fodder amounts per animal calculated @ 2% body weight and assuming an animal is 500kg. For this exercise we calculated a daily ration of 10kg Green fodder per animal weighing 500kg.

During trials conducted at the FodderTech Factory, we have achieved consistent conversion rates of 7.5kg of sprouted grain from 1 kg of dry grain. Environmental conditions were controlled as per our instructions above.

So, now you have made the decision to purchase one of our modules. Well done, call us at FodderTech head office and we will endeavour to deliver your system as soon as possible.