Review on Hydroponic Feed Value to Livestock Production

Abstract

In agriculture hydroponics is an advanced technology. Hydroponic production is used to guarantee a constant production of high quantity of green forage throughout the year for livestock feed with suitable prices. Therefore, this review aims to review hydroponic feed value on livestock production. Hydroponics is a technique of growing of plants without soil but in water or nutrient rich solution in a greenhouse. This fodder increases up to 20-30cm height consisting of roots, seeds and plants. About 1.50-3.0 liters of water is required to produce one kg of fresh hydroponics fodder in seven days since water can be reused. However, DM content of 11-14% is common for hydroponics maize and yields of 5-6 folds on fresh basis. Since the hydroponics, fodder is more palatable, digestible and nutritious while imparting other health benefits to the animals and improve production performance of livestock. The cost of seed contributes about 90% of the total cost of production of hydroponics maize fodder as compared to conventional which is much lower. Supplementing is 5-10 kg fresh hydroponics maize fodder per cow per day. Digestibility of the nutrients of the ration could increase in milk production (8- 13%) by feeding hydroponics fodder. Hydroponics fodder can be produced by farmers to feed their dairy animals using low cost diet in situations, where conventional green fodder cannot be grown successfully. Therefore, there is a need for more research and development endeavor for better utilization in the future.