Growing Whole Barley Fodder for Livestock
In 1999 when we put our first fence post in the ground and began adding livestock, grass hay in our area was easily purchased for about $1.50 per bale. Boy have times changed!
As I write this, in the dead of winter 20 years later I see numerous ads for $7.00 per bale...UGH.
Because I do not have the land or resources to produce my own hay, I'm at the mercy of the hay sellers demands (and they oftentimes report it's the Worst hay season they've ever had, even though their barns are bursting with hay).
In October 2018, I began researching growing fodder as a supplement for my livestock, and a means to reduce my feed bill. I was off and running!
I have personally witnessed an amazing transformation in the health of my animals, that I cannot believe I did not stumble upon this feed sooner.
I am self taught, aside from a few Utube videos to point me in the right direction, and I'm also NOT an engineer so take what you can from how I grow fodder, and tweak your schedule to what works for you.
As I write this, in the dead of winter 20 years later I see numerous ads for $7.00 per bale...UGH.
Because I do not have the land or resources to produce my own hay, I'm at the mercy of the hay sellers demands (and they oftentimes report it's the Worst hay season they've ever had, even though their barns are bursting with hay).
In October 2018, I began researching growing fodder as a supplement for my livestock, and a means to reduce my feed bill. I was off and running!
I have personally witnessed an amazing transformation in the health of my animals, that I cannot believe I did not stumble upon this feed sooner.
I am self taught, aside from a few Utube videos to point me in the right direction, and I'm also NOT an engineer so take what you can from how I grow fodder, and tweak your schedule to what works for you.
Fodder Setup
This is my complete fodder growing system. See, nothing fancy at all! I purchased a set of heavy metal shelving off of Craigslist for $20 (you'll soon come to realize I'm Cheap).
I placed this rack on a west facing wall with 2 windows. Fodder doesn't need lots of light, and grows best when temps are in the range of 60-70 degrees. In the winter we heat our home exclusively with wood, so our temps do fall below 60 degrees when the stove isnt loaded. This small amount of light in the winter, helps when the temps dip.
In the summer when the sun is more intense, I just draw the blinds so the fodder doesnt get too warm and mold.
I placed this rack on a west facing wall with 2 windows. Fodder doesn't need lots of light, and grows best when temps are in the range of 60-70 degrees. In the winter we heat our home exclusively with wood, so our temps do fall below 60 degrees when the stove isnt loaded. This small amount of light in the winter, helps when the temps dip.
In the summer when the sun is more intense, I just draw the blinds so the fodder doesnt get too warm and mold.
My Trays
The trays for my fodder were the largest expense when I began, however I have not replaced a single tray to date.
I chose 32 CLEAR sterlite totes 22"long, 16" wide, 5 1/2" high (I tossed the lids).
Holes were drilled at ONE end of 28 trays, and 4 trays we left intact as water collection trays.
One tray will hold 2lb barley, and I prep 4 trays per day (8lb)
I chose 32 CLEAR sterlite totes 22"long, 16" wide, 5 1/2" high (I tossed the lids).
Holes were drilled at ONE end of 28 trays, and 4 trays we left intact as water collection trays.
One tray will hold 2lb barley, and I prep 4 trays per day (8lb)
Trays on Shelving
*resting trays are sprayed with 50% bleach water and dried a full day.
Tray Angles
Adjust the angle of your dowel so that water runs freely through each tray, on each level. You are 'rinsing' the seeds in their tray and giving them a quick drink.
Standing water creates mold.
Standing water creates mold.
My High Tech Watering System
I water using the 'cascade' method where I only pour water into the top tray. Using dowels on each rack, the water rinses through each tray below using gravity until it reaches the water collection tray on the bottom.
when watering, the idea is to give the seeds and sprouts a decent rinsing. I use a collapsible pocket style hose from my kitchen sink. Spraying the top trays for about 15-30 seconds each, then lightly spraying the remaining trays (just to saturate the seeds on the top that may be missed during the cascading water effect. About 5 seconds each tray.
when watering, the idea is to give the seeds and sprouts a decent rinsing. I use a collapsible pocket style hose from my kitchen sink. Spraying the top trays for about 15-30 seconds each, then lightly spraying the remaining trays (just to saturate the seeds on the top that may be missed during the cascading water effect. About 5 seconds each tray.
Barley Seeds
Whole UNTREATED barley. At the time of this post, I am purchasing 75lb bags for $10
My sterlite trays hold 2lb soaked barley per tray. I soak 8 lb dry barley each day. (When you purchase your trays, figure barley should not be filled more than 1/2" in each tray)
Soaking Seeds
Four 5 gallon buckets. Blue buckets filled 2/3 full with a splash of bleach (some use hydrogen peroxide), white buckets drilled with holes for drainage and hold barley. Place white buckets inside blue buckets to soak seeds.
I have soaked seeds from 3-5 hours. I've had no fails in this soak range.
I have soaked seeds from 3-5 hours. I've had no fails in this soak range.
My Fodder Day in a Nutshell
AM:
Water Trays and Spray seed tops
Begin soaking Barley
Less than 5 minutes
Midday:
Remove top row of barley for feeding
Rotate all trays UP one level
Drain soaking barley and place newly made trays into bottom row
PREP next days water and barley/set aside
less than 15 minutes
PM:
Water Trays and Spray seed tops
5 minutes
**wait at least a 1/2 hour to dump water collection trays for the night
Water Trays and Spray seed tops
Begin soaking Barley
Less than 5 minutes
Midday:
Remove top row of barley for feeding
Rotate all trays UP one level
Drain soaking barley and place newly made trays into bottom row
PREP next days water and barley/set aside
less than 15 minutes
PM:
Water Trays and Spray seed tops
5 minutes
**wait at least a 1/2 hour to dump water collection trays for the night