FEEDING THE FUTURE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE VERTICAL FARMING

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1 FEEDING THE FUTURE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE VERTICAL FARMING 2011

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3 About H2O Farm Ltd H2O Farm is a UK company specialising in providing tiered hydroponic systems to maximise the volume of food produced per metre. H2O Farm manufactures and distributes the worlds leading fresh fodder production system. H2O Farm develops vertical farming solutions for the production of low leaf vegetables.

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6 Fodder production Background Our product range is based on delivering large, consistent volumes of high quality, nutritious fresh fodder to enable farmers to maintain and improve the health and productivity of their livestock. FT1200 delivers over 1 ton of fresh fodder every day FT2500 delivers over 2 tons of fresh fodder every day Providing quality fresh forage daily, combined with the minimal water usage and the low cost of production enables us to lead the world in the provision of high volume Hydroponic Fodder systems.

7 General advantages Consistent high quality fresh feed, every day Low usage of water in production Improvement to the health of each animal Low unit cost of fodder Fresh feed free of pesticide/other contaminants 100% of production is utilised, unlike silage/hay Reduces land area needed to produce feed Increases number of animals that can be farmed

8 Product Background A unique, patented bottom fed NFT (nutrient film technique) fodder growing system ensures consistent feed, the same every day of the year. There are 4 key parts to producing high quality, high volume fresh fodder. 1. The product 2. The base seed 3. The nutrient 4. The process

9 1. The Product The building is a protected, permanent, solid structure within which to grow your fodder. Nutrient Film Technology, airflow and temperature control. This unique method of growing fodder for livestock enables us to better control the atmospheric variables created within the shed such as temperature and humidity. The production shed achieves a precise range of these key variables, ensuring the optimum growing environment is maintained for the fodder and, critically, prevents growth of moulds.

10 1. The Product Re-circulated then re-cycled water and nutrients This method uses approx litres of water per 1 tonne of fodder. Pesticide,weed and contaminant free

11 2. The Seed We use 97% germinating, untreated, cleaned malting/seed grade barley to ensure success. Many of our installations boast a conversion rate of 8kg of fodder from 1kg of seed - when using our instructions, grain and nutrient. This keeps seed cost low but volume and quality of feed high. Just 7 days turnaround from seed to feed.

12 3. Nutrient Specifically manufactured for our requirements, the ingredients ensure the healthy and robust fodder growth. Gives our fodder high protein levels and good metabolisable energy. The root mass and leaf have all the nutrients needed for healthy animals and are highly digestible

13 Fodder Analysis NDF over 50% on average Protein 25% Starch 21% Potassium 0.9% Calcium 0.5% Phosphorus 0.5% Magnesium 0.2% Sodium 0.1% Sulphur 0.1% Copper 5.4mg/kg, Iron 84.5 mg/kg, Manganese 25 mg/kg, Zinc 33 mg/kg Molybdenum 1.6 mg/kg, Selenium 0.06 mg/kg Dry Matter 13% Source: Frank Wright/Trouw Nutrition/Ontrak Nutrition

14 4. Process Devised and designed by world renowned hydroponics guru Peter Doyle. Our in side means in control patented process assures the farmer of the best results day after day. We thoroughly train and educate each customer in the importance of following our simple but essential process steps. From our unique seed germinating formula to the day 7 deliver of high quality fodder and clean down of the feed trays we teach you all you need to know.

15 Specific Applications The daily production of fresh feed can give enormous advantages to farmers of all types of livestock. However specifically this could apply to: Upland hill farmers in that it would remove the need to move stock over the winter period Landlocked farmers wishing to increase stocking levels Famers wishing to reduce the levels of concentrate feed and improve profit.

16 Benefits to the Animals - Dairy Trials over an 8 week period in Argentina: when fed 12kg per day of fresh sprouting barley the average difference between the test and control groups was +11% milk yield, and +23% milk quality. Extended trials over 29 years by Ohio State University indicate that dairy cows fed with freshly mown grass outperformed cattle fed grass that was allowed to dry with an increased milk yield of 28%. Sprouting Barley from our system is the equivalent of freshly mown grass every day of the year. The fodder is digested more easily in the rumen, being over 80D, enabling the digestive system to conserve energy during digestion, and using the saved energy to both maintain condition and fertility, and improve milk yield.

17 Benefits to beef animals Trials conducted in NZ demonstrated improved weight gain in fodder-fed cattle: Cattle in fed 3.75kg of fodder per day, over 84 days, had a total live weight gain over the testing period of 41% more than group 2 (normal feed) In addition the cost of feeding the treated group was SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER than the control group due to the lower cost of fodder production. The cost would be even lower when compared to feeding conserved forages such a silage.

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19 Benefits to sheep Testimonials from our sheep farmers show: Higher fertility rates amongst ewes On average the lambs are heavier and more healthy. Bert Harris UK Improved wool quality Enhanced longevity through reduced teeth wear and tear Lower feed costs Lower vets bills

20 Other cost to feed FT do not claim that our fodder is a total replacement feed. We advise that dry matter is still included in the animal diet. This will help fix the fodder in the gut and aid both DM and fodder to digest at a much quicker rate than DM on its own.

21 Benefits to horses H2O Farm s first UK installation, at The Spanish Bit Riding school is showing a 60% reduction in total feed costs, with improved condition and well being of the horses. Trials in Australia have indicated that feeding fodder to race horses has significantly improved their win and place ratio. Reduced colic, respiratory & gut ulcer problems. Lower vets bills, healthier horses

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23 Benefits to Deer Trials in Australia showed significant benefits forth deer fed on fodder: 95% pregnancy rate versus 70% for control group Coat quality much improved Weight gain and size of fodder group was significantly increased. Improved grazing rotation of fodder herd allowing more flexible and better pasture management.

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25 Benefits to chickens Chickens store grain in the crop for up to a day where the warm moist atmosphere encourages germination of the seed, when it is then transported to the gut for digestion. Fodder is more quickly and easily digested, reducing digestive strain. Case studies from Tasmania show: Before fodder the hens were laying eggs every 2-3 days With fodder the rate increased to every 1-2 days. The yolks in fodder fed hens were markedly yellower The farmer considered that the hens will lay for longer

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27 Benefits to goats Australian trials with 3500 goats showed: Improved conception rates Hoof health was much better Weight gain was markedly increased

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29 Benefits to pigs Free range pigs being fed 2kg of grain per day were changed to a diet of 1kg grain and 1kg of fresh fodder. The principle conclusion was that growth rates accelerated, finishing 2 weeks sooner than the pigs not on the fodder. The sows came into heat much quicker and had a longer milking period, enabling the piglets early growth rates. Vets bills were reduced by 95% Feeding costs were reduced by nearly 50% With concentrate costs rising, fodder makes sound sense.

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31 Production running Costs Based on UK prices of electricity, water and labour (2 hours per day) Production costs of approximately 6p/kg fresh weight. We recommend 2-3% of body weight per day of feed as fodder.

32 Other cost reduction benefits Due to the small land footprint and the controlled internal process of production there are other benefits to the farm such as: Reduced need to buy or rent land to produce crops Reduce dry feed costs significantly Reduced need pasture management demands, including fertilisers and chemicals. Less fencing required for grazing land Land can be used for other crops or opportunities Reduced track maintenance if machinery needs curtailed. Less cow travel = less energy wasted, with less wear and tear on legs and feet. Lower diesel/energy bills

33 Environmental Benefits Low usage of water versus traditional methods Small land footprint to produce large volumes of fodder. Low carbon footprint, no tractor miles to prepare and reap a harvest. 100% of crop grown will be fed. No waste. Pesticide free

34 Environmental benefits Reduction of methane production. Cows are responsible for producing approx 18% of the worlds methane. Our farmers and nutrionalists agree that the the high digestibility of the fresh fodder could reduce by up to 50% the amount of CH4 produced by cows chewing the cud and in both sheep and cows manure.

35 Vertical farming Vertical farming maximises the potential to grow large volumes of produce per square metre of space. H2O Farm has developed an LED lighting product under the FUTURELED brand. This product has been designed to complement a vertical farming hydroponic system.

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37 FUTURELED Conventional greenhouses use either normal sunlight or sunlight topped up with High pressure sodium lighting. The drawbacks to this method are 2 fold. Firstly the production rate is dependant mainly on the season, ie lettuces grow at 28 days during the summer but often take days during the winter. The Sodium lighting can reduce this time but at a large energy cost due to the inherent inefficiency of this type of lighting. 80% of the energy is wasted in heat

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39 FUTURELED LED lighting is very efficient at turning power into light. Less than 20% is heat. The trick is finding which wavelengths work best for which plants. We have been testing for 18 months and have proven results in growing lollobianco/rosso to 170g in 28 days. Butterhead in 35 days and baby leaf lettuce from seed in 19 days.

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44 Summary Hydroponics and vertical farming is now a Proven, reliable system which returns a high quality product. Be it fodder for livestock or food for human consumption Low running costs Very low usage of water Effective use of land footprint Environmental benefits Vertical farming can be both intensive and sustainable through its low consumption of natural resources.