Frequently Asked Questions

Fodder rooms are especially designed and built transportable rooms that are temperature and humidity controlled to sprout grain (predominantly barley) for feeding to livestock. The rooms are capable of operating in all environmental conditions for 365 days of the year.

We make three sizes of transportable rooms. (length x depth, height)

The single bay room:  3.0m  x 2.4m x 2.7m

The two bay room :     5.8m x 2.4m x 2.7m

The three bay room:   8.2m x 2.4m x 2.7m

Each room has six rows laid out with removeable trays in which the fodder grows.  We make two tray sizes, 1200m x 300mm x 50mm and 1500mm x 300mm x 50mm

The single bay room has 48 trays

The double bay room has 96 trays

The triple bay room has 144 trays

The technology that runs the room is the real key to success. State of the art electronics are driven by sophisticated computer programs that maintain and monitor the room. These support not only the rooms operation but also its background support and error checking functions.

We recommend a class of malting barley referred to as RMB. This has higher protein than standard malting barley and considered out of specification for use by the brewing industry (due to its protein levels), it is ideal for sprouting in the fodder rooms.

Yes. We have trialed an RMB mix which has included other seeds and grains such as peas, lupin, sunflower and maize.

The single bay room produces  120 to 140 kgs per day

The double bay room produces 290 to 350kgs per day

The triple bay room produces  430 to 500 kgs per day

Each rooms output is dependent upon the amount of dry grain put into the room and the size of the tray used.

We are currently working with companies to build a shed to our design and specification that meets New Zealand’s stringent building code that will grow 1 to 5 tonne or more of fodder a day. Two of our existing 3 bay transportable rooms combined will grow 1 tonne of green feed fodder a day.

Nothing.

Aside from the one off capital cost of the room, we currently grow fodder at a cost of $0.16 per kg of green feed.

As a general guide we recommend between 3% and 5% of live weight depending in the species, its age and the farm livestock policy. This is supplemented by hay or pasture forage.

We have prepared a table that presents a snapshot summary typical for sheep and cattle which you can find here. The number of animals to be fed depends on their weight and your farm policy.

However, for a quick snapshot answer we provide the following examples:

The fodder room is growing bio mass in the form of sprouted barley. The grain when it comes into the room may contain mould and other disease spores that could affect the product. We have a simple cleaning program that focuses on minimum effort, maximum return, to reduce the risk of contamination. Part of that process is built into the room and part includes common sense cleaning of the room and trays.

You may get products directly from us or through accredited suppliers. We offer a range of alternative cleaning products (including organically approved products) and process options. While all are effective, the choice as to which one to use is up to the farmer. We do not require any specific branded products to be used in our rooms.

For an initial lease period of three months, the single bay room is $35 per day, the double bay room is $45 per day and the triple bay room $55 per day. For an initial lease period of six months the rental decreases by $5 per day. All pricing is plus GST.

In order to maintain full tax deductibility, Inland Revenue rules must be complied with. We suggest that you discuss this with your accountant. We are happy to talk to your accountant and answer any questions.

Generally speaking, costs of a revenue nature, such as the lease of plant or equipment incurred in the production of assessable income, are tax deductible. As such the costs of leasing are usually tax deductible.  Inland Revenue does have some rules around various types of leases so you should contact your accountant to discuss this aspect of your investment. We are happy to talk to your accountant and answer any questions.

As we update our rooms our pricing may change. The cost of the rooms is also influenced by changes in the New Zealand dollar as we import significant components for our rooms. We also offer a small number of options with the rooms which will impact upon the final price. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and the pricing options.

We make Fodder NZ rooms at our factory at Shannon. From there we ship the rooms around New Zealand.

Yes. While a number of our components and motors are sourced around the world, a significant portion of the equipment used in the rooms comes from New Zealand.

Yes. We hold a large inventory of spare parts should they be needed. In addition, we have sourced our overseas components from countries with extensive supply chains to avoid using “orphan” components just because the price may have been cheaper.

Yes. We warrant the rooms and the components’ in the rooms. In addition, we have a service backup team who can attend on farm to address equipment performance issues should these arise

We have a liberal support policy covering telephone, email and personal contact. We want your room operation to be a success so we have developed a comprehensive support policy which you can find here.

Yes. In fact the initial concept behind the establishment of Fodder NZ was to enable small block holders or farmers with areas of otherwise uneconomic or limited land, the opportunity to take that land and turn it into a profitable livestock trading business.

Yes. Our contact details are all here. You can email us a question or ask us to call you. Alternatively telephone us on 0800 16 32 64 and ask for our Managing Director, David Petterson.

Yes. Our contact details are all here. You can email us a question or ask us to call you. Alternatively our Managing Director, David Petterson, can be contacted on 021 494 622

Yes. Our contact details are all here. You can email us a question at support@fodder.nz or ask us to call you to discuss the Fodder NZ concept. Alternatively, telephone us on 0800 16 32 64.