Vertical Crop Culture (VCC)
Using the latest VCC methodologies we have predictable, efficient and affordable crop yield year round.
Traditional agriculture is not only inefficient its also high risk, there are many factors that can effect a farmers yield. Climate change, drought and diseases can wreak havoc on a traditional crop. Using the latest VCC methodologies we have predictable, efficient and affordable crop yield year round.
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Uniformed production of produce
We can build anywhere
We save vast amount of water
Risk Free
Zero crop failure
No pesticides or herbicides
VERTICROFT FODDER
We take a fresh, client focused approach to the art and science of growing Alfa hay.
We use advanced farming and agriculture methodologies to grow seed to feed in 7 days. Our vertical farming technology allows us to grow fresh, locally produced animal fodder 24/7, 365 days a year in our purpose built, fully automated facilities, regardless of external weather and climate conditions.
Save on Land & Labour
Save huge amounts of water
Grow Locally
What is Alfa Hay?
Alfa Hay, Medicago Sativa, also known as Lucerne hay or Lucerne grass, is one of the most important forage crops cultivated in agriculture. It is widely grown throughout the world as forage for cattle and is typically harvested as hay.
Alfa hay has the highest feeding value of all commonly grown hay crops. Alfa Hay is used primarily for dairy cattle but is also fed to beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats and camels. One of the most important characteristics of alfa hay is its high nutritional quality as a “complete” animal feed.
Alfa hay contains between 15% to 23% crude protein, as well as an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
Traditional vs Verticroft
Alfa Hay Sprouts grown by Verticroft are a highly nutritious source of animal feed. Alfa Hay is best incorporated into a feed as a concentrate, grain replacement, hay replacement, or supplement.
Open Field Agriculture
• 1 acre of land will yield 5 tonnes per annum
• Average crop cycle to harvest is 3 months
• Traditional Alf Hay requires a lot of pesticides as the crop is plagued with many serious diseases in humid regions
Verticroft Farming
• 1 acre of Verticroft Grow Racks will yield
• 8,000 tones per annum
• Average crop cycle to harvest is 7 days
• No pesticides used due to the closed and controlled nature of the system
Nutritional benefits to livestock
Alfa Hay Sprouts grown by Verticroft are a highly nutritious source of animal feed. Alfa Hay is best incorporated into a feed as a concentrate, grain replacement, hay replacement, or supplement. Many of the advantages of Alfa Hay sprouts come only when they are fed fresh. Since sprouts are fed year round, they are considered a ‘living feed’. Advantages that come from the animals having access to sprouts include:
- High digestibility
- Vitamins & mineral saturation
- Phytate reduction for pH normalization
- Enzymatic activity increase
- Omega 3, amino acids, natural hormones
Enzymes aid in digestion. If microbial life has the proper conditions to thrive then it will grow exponentially in the rumen. Strong-enzymatic activity dramatically improves digestion which means that the animal uses less energy to digest feeds. The net energy gain that results helps generate increased performance and health to livestock.
Alfa Hay Sprouts are saturated with vitamins and minerals. Sprouts are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. There is 10 – 20 times more vitamins than in grain. The minerals that an animal needs in it’s diet are complimented nicely by the Alfa Hay.
Alfa Hay Sprouts are around 90% digestible which is very high. Grains are around 40% digestible. The increased digestibility of fresh sprouts improve digestion and absorption while using less energy. This in turn enables animals to use the energy for such activities as milk production, reproduction, weight gain, and waste management.
Rumen pH is critical in dairy and other ruminants. An acidic environment will tie up minerals making them unavailable to the animal. Likewise, microbial life (such as enzyems and good bacteria) cannot thrive in an acidic environment. Grain comes littered with phytates. Phytates produce acidic conditions in the rumen. So, feeding grain limits the amount of available minerals to the animal while putting stress on microbial life. Sprouting grains in the Verticroft System means that you wash the phytates out of the feed. This in turn causes the pH of the rumen to normalize. Minerals are more available and microbial life has the proper pH to thrive.
Animal Fodder Market’s Size and Growth
Global Animal Feed Market
Market Growth
Incremental Growth
The Solutions
As climate change and population growth increasingly manifests itself globally volatile and unpredictable weather patterns continue to impact on food crops, water supplies presents an increasing challenge to the globalised economy. Verticroft have worked tirelessly over the last decade to develop and create a suitable, efficient and environmentally friendly supply of animal fodder
Globally the traditional agriculture industry consumes 70% of the worlds water of which 60% of this is simply wasted
• Water conservation
• Space utilisation
• Efficiency in growing speeds and environmental control
Global warming, droughts, transport and logistics costs continue to put added pressure on traditional farming practices with low yields to farmers
• Sustainable
• Scalable
• Energy efficient
• Use as little water as possible
Our proprietary growing facilities allow us to save astronomical amounts of water, produce incredible amounts of feed VS traditional agriculture, and allow us to grow in climate controlled environments for year round production producing far more predictable, and sustainable crop yields.
Learn the benefits of feeding Alfa Hay to your animals.
Feeding Alfa-hay to dairy cattle offers very dramatic advantages including:
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- Lower feed costs per cow
- Increased revenue per CWT
- Higher milk volumes
- Dramatically increased fertility rates
- Substantially lower involuntary cull rate
- Better coat shine and condition
- Greatly improved herd health
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Feeding Alfa-hay to beef cattle has been observed to cause:
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- Better marbling in meat
- Increased fertility rates
- Improved coat shine and body condition
- Excellent herd health and well being
- Decreased mortality rates
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Feeding Alfa-hay to pigs offers very dramatic advantages including:
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- Faster weight gain
- Lower feed costs
- Reduced back fat, increase marbling
- Increased fertility
- Heavier, longer lactations
- Improved health and reduced vet bills
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Feeding Alfa-hay to horses offers:
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- Better performance in race horses
- Improved coat and general appearance
- Lower feed bills
- Less incidence of colic and gut ulcers
- Lower vet costs
- Gentler, calmer animals
- Faster recovery after exertion
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Feeding sprouts to sheep offers very dramatic advantages including:
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- Improved wool volume & quality
- Faster weight gain
- Less teeth wear
- Higher fertility rate
- Fewer parasites
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Feeding sprouts to poultry offers very dramatic advantages including:
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- More eggs
- Larger eggs
- Deep, yellow/orange yoke
- Thicker shell
- Improved health
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