Abstract
The aim of this paper was to review the effects of hydroponic fodder feeding on milk yield and composition of the dairy cow. Hydroponic fodder is an effective solution for fodder scarcity and is very promising for sustainable livestock production in different regions of the world. Hydroponics fodder production involves growing of plants without soil for a short duration (5-10 day). In hydroponic fodder production system, it can be possible to grow 5-10kg of green fodder from 1kg seeds. The nutritional increase in crude protein, fibre, ether extract, vitamins and minerals were constantly observed in hydroponic fodder. However, there was a loss of 10-25% dry matter content depending on grain type and duration. The hydroponics fodder feeding improves milk yield and composition of a dairy cow through increased intake and digestibility of nutrients. However, more information is needed to confirm the benefit of hydroponic fodder feeding as part of ration for dairy cow. Keywords: hydroponic fodder, nutrient composition, dairy cow, milk yield, milk composition DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-8-01 Publication date : April 30 th 2019
Highlights
Green fodder is the natural diet for livestock (Jemimah et al, 2018)
Hydroponic fodder is an effective solution for fodder scarcity and is very promising for sustainable livestock production in different regions
The total consumption of both as fed and dry matter was higher in dairy cows receiving 7% maize hydroponic fodder as supplementation compared with control treatment (Nugroho et al, 2015)
Summary
Green fodder is the natural diet for livestock (Jemimah et al, 2018). For a sustainable dairy farming, quality green fodder should be fed regularly to the dairy animals (Naik et al 2012a). Hydroponic fodder is an effective solution for fodder scarcity and is very promising for sustainable livestock production in different regions It is essentially the germination of a seed and sprouted into a high quality, highly nutritious, disease-free animal food in a hygienic environment free of chemicals like insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and artificial growth promoters (Jensen and Malter, 1995; Al-Hashmi, 2008). This process takes place in a very versatile and intensive hydroponic growing unit where only supplying cereal grain with necessary water, nutrients and sunlight to produce a grass and root combination that is very lush and high in nutrients. At the end of the growing period, the fodder is fed to livestock as a supplement in the same way that hay and silage are currently used (Merisco, 2009)
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