- Home
- About
- Contact
- Receive our newsletter
- 1.800.201.3414
Fodder Seed Questions
Where can you buy seed? What type of seed is required? How much does it cost? Seeds are the star of the show when growing fodder. Satisfy your seed curiosity by reading up on the ins and outs of selecting seeds for your fodder system.
1) How much do seeds cost and where can I purchase them?
The cost depends on a number of variables including the type of seed and the supplier you choose. We purchase our seed from Welter Seed & Honey in Onslow, IA. They are nationally known for their specialty seed and ship cross country. There are several other nationwide seed distributors that we recommend, including Agway Inc., Crop Production Services, Hearne Seeds, Pioneer and Hancock Farm & Seed Co. If you need help finding a seed supplier, please contact us.
2) What type of seeds have you used in your trials?
We have done trials on several types of seeds. Our trials include alfalfa, barley, ryegrass, red wheat, oats, sorghum, buckwheat, field peas, clover, sunflowers and more!
3) What should I use to sanitize the seeds?
You can use chlorine, hydrogen peroxide or aeration to sanitize the seeds. Sanitizing the seeds is a crucial step. You want to make sure that you remove any dirt, bacteria or mold spores from the seeds before you spread them in the channels.
4) How much seed does it take to fill one of the channels in the FodderPro Feed System?
You will need between 7 and 9 lbs. of dry seed per 12' channel. This will depend on your microclimate and the type of seed.
5) Can we use seeds that have been chemically treated to prevent fungus or mold?
We don't recommend it. Using treated seed is not an approved method for livestock feeding. Feeding sprouts grown with treated seed over an extended period will actually make the animal, particularly horses, quite sick. We recommend that you purchase the highest quality, cleanest and least processed seed possible to give you the best results.
6) What if I can't get barley in my area?
While barley is one of the most popular seeds used in fodder, it can be hard to get in some places in the country. Wheat or triticale is normally used as a suitable alternative, but many different seeds are suitable. If you are unsure about a particular seed, or need suggestions on which seed to use, feel free to contact us and we can assist you in choosing the seed that is right for your needs.
7) How can I improve the germination rate of my seeds?
There are many things that can affect the germination rate of seeds. If you are seeing a low germination rate, you can troubleshoot the problem by answering these questions or contact us and we can help you find an answer.
- Are you sanitizing your seeds before you are utilizing them? (Answer should be yes)
- Are you soaking them in water for 24 hours? (Answer should be yes)
- Are you touching the seeds a lot with your bare hands? (Answer should be no)
Anything that comes in contact with the seeds should be sanitary. If all of those things check out, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you have lighting available? (Answer should be yes)
- Do you have a lot of humidity? (Humidity should be between 40% and 80%)
- What is the temperature in the area? (Temperature should be between 60°F and 75°F)
- Is your air very stagnant? (Answer should be no)
Sometimes just a simple circulation fan can vastly improve the air quality and germination rate.
