Record high grain prices and the drought of 2012 are driving up interest in alternative feeds. Recently that interest focuses on sprouting barley for fodder production. A number of companies have developed systems for automated or semi-automated sprouted barley production. Some of these systems have recently been installed (or are being installed) on organic dairy farms in the Midwest. One of these farms, Mervin Johnson’s in Barron County, had a pasture walk in May, which staff from MOSES attended to learn more about sprouted barley as a feed ration.
Sprouted fodder is not a new idea. There are references to sprouting small grains for fodder dating back at least to the 1600s. What is new is the technology and engineering that makes it economically competitive with other feeding options. Light, moisture and consistent heat are critical for sprouted fodder to work. Attempts have been made using greenhouses to produce the sprouts, but have proven difficult and expensive for controlling humidity and heat. Greenhouses are just not consistent enough for reliable fodder production.
Experiments with fully automated hydroponic systems using artificial light were more stable and production more reliable. However, the lighting, which was mostly high pressure sodium or metal halide, generated a lot of excess heat and was very expensive, making this system not economically viable.