Hydroponic Barley

Hydroponics produces nutrient-rich food when weather conditions are difficult and land is expensive. "Every time there is a dry spell someplace there is a renewed interest in this," said Jim Brown with CropKing Hydroponics. With hydroponics, plants can be grown in a small amount of water in a greenhouse environment year round.

North Central SARE From the Field Profile Due to the rising cost of feed, many small scale pork producers are exploring alternatives in order to increase their profit margins. At Donnelly Farms, Jack Donnelly is producing hydroponically-grown green forage for his hogs, and has been able to reduce feed outlay and increase their bottom line.

Growing forage in a greenhouse might seem like an expensive way to feed dairy or beef cattle or other livestock, but in certain situations it could prove very beneficial. For instance, in drought conditions it could provide producers with an excellent source of forage, said Paul Brentlinger, president of CropKing, based in Ohio.

Fodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock, such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants, but some is of animal origin. "Fodder" refers particularly to food given to the animals (including plants cut and carried to them), rather than that which they forage for themselves (see forage).

Fodder or animal feed is any feedstock used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. "Fodder" refers particularly to food given to the animals (including plants cut and carried to them), rather than that which they forage for themselves in pasture and grazing land.