- Home
- About
- Contact
- Receive our newsletter
- 1.800.201.3414
Fodder Growing Environment Questions
Have a greenhouse you're not using? What about an empty basement? Hay mount? Extra horse stalls? We can make almost any location appropriate for hydroponic fodder production. Read through these questions for more information about the growing environment required for fodder production.
1) What type of structure do you recommend to house this system?
Any type of structure. We have customers put systems in old outbuildings, sheds or hay barns. We have some folks that are putting the system in their basements. Ideally, this system will be housed in a greenhouse, but there are a lot of options available. Here at FarmTek, we aim to build to your location. If you have a spot where you think it will fit, contact us and talk us through it. We will make all of the necessary environmental recommendations that you will need to make the location work for you.
2) Can you help me design housing for this system?
Absolutely. Please contact us. We can provide you with a complete turnkey solution custom designed for your specific needs.
3) How warm does the room with the FodderPro Feed System need to be?
Between 60°F and 75°F with 40% to 80% relative humidity is the ideal environment for fodder production.
4) Can a greenhouse be too warm for optimal germination?
If not cooled properly, a greenhouse can be way too hot for optimal germination. The beauty of a greenhouse is that it is a year-round growing facility and it is typically designed to be able to maintain a specific range of temperature and humidity. We are the leading manufacturer in the United States of greenhouses and high tunnels. If you have a question on how to prepare your greenhouse for optimal fodder production, please contact us.
5) Is a controlled environment greenhouse a better environment for fodder than a barn space?
This depends on the condition of the barn space and what you are currently doing in it. A greenhouse may be better because you will not have to add any supplemental light like you would have to in a barn space. Also, some barns may need to be retrofitted to grow fodder. Conversely, many people worry about increased temperatures in greenhouses in the summer months and need to add cooling elements to ensure that it does not get too hot for the fodder. If you are unsure whether or not your existing barn space will be suitable for growing fodder, please contact us. One of our knowledgeable fodder specialists can help you identify the optimum growing environment for your fodder.
6) How do you control optimum temperature in a greenhouse?
There are many different methods to control the temperature in a greenhouse. You can use evaporative cooling, circulating fans, exhaust fans, FLS reflective shade panels and many other accessories to control the climate. As the leading manufacturer of greenhouses and high tunnels in the United States, FarmTek has years of experience with climate control in greenhouses. Contact us and we can get you the right cooling system to make your greenhouse the ideal environment for growing fodder all year round.
7) What are the drawbacks of producing fodder in a metal insulated building?
This all depends on the specifics of the structure. However, generally speaking, the first disadvantage would be that you would have to install grow lights in the building to provide the fodder with enough light to grow properly. Also, metal buildings can be a little bit warmer than the ideal temperature for fodder production even with insulation. It can become very hot in a metal building very quickly. While there are some drawbacks, growing in a metal building can be done. A vapor-tight wall covering, circulating fans and some grow lights can help to compensate for your metal structure. Please contact us and we can help retrofit your building to create an ideal fodder growing environment.
