Bill and Rebecca Alward of Little Mountain Ranch and Garden LLC in southeastern Nebraska have implemented a small-scale fodder system to supplement their livestock's winter diet. Supported by a $14,307 SARE grant, the project aimed to reduce winter feed costs and improve feed quality for their hogs and cattle.
Project Overview
The Alwards operate a diversified farm on 16.5 acres, producing forest-raised pork, grassfed beef, lamb, pastured poultry, eggs, mushrooms, and vegetables. They began winter farrowing hogs in 2020 and wintering cattle in 2020. Facing rising costs for grain and hay, they sought a more sustainable winter feed solution.
Fodder System Implementation
The Alwards installed a heated indoor fodder system to sprout grains like wheat, rye, and triticale. They found that a 50-pound bag of seed yielded approximately 180 pounds of nutrient-dense fodder, providing a cost-effective supplement to their livestock's winter diet.
Key Findings
- Cost Comparison: Prior to the fodder system, cattle were fed alfalfa hay at $8 per 50-pound bale. With the fodder system, weekly supplementation costs increased to $102, including $28 for alfalfa and $73.50 for fodder. However, the daily inclusion of fodder improved feed efficiency and reduced hay consumption.
- Grain Selection: Wheat and rye were found to be the most effective grains for fodder production, offering high germination rates, yield, and palatability for both hogs and cattle.
- Labor and Space Efficiency: The system requires approximately one hour of labor per day and occupies less storage space than traditional hay bales, making it suitable for small-scale operations.
Recommendations for Farmers
Based on their experience, the Alwards offer the following recommendations:
- Feeding Strategy: Limit fodder supplementation to every other day to reduce costs and labor.
- Infrastructure: Ensure access to an insulated, heated building to maintain optimal conditions for fodder growth in cold climates.
- Water Supply: Connect the system directly to a water line for efficiency, and consider utilizing waste water as a nutrient-rich supplement for livestock.
- Grain Management: Experiment with different seed types and pre-soak durations to determine the best combination for your livestock.
"One collaboration that has opened up during this project is a fellow small grain farmer in our area mills their own grains, typically wheat, sometimes rye," explained Alward. "We have been able to utilize their 'heavy' wheat grains separated during cleaning that are not suitable for milling as a source of fodder grain. This is a cost reduction for us versus buying all our grain from a major supplier and paying freight shipping costs. The downside is it's not always readily available, but hope to continue to utilize this seed sourcing in the future to bring down costs."
Dig Deeper
In this video, Alward discusses the fodder system and explains how he set it up, offering practical insights into the process.