AU2005213171A1 - Hydroponic stock fodder system - Google Patents

Description

WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 HYDROPONIC STOCK FODDER SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hydroponic stock fodder system. BACKGROUND ART It is known to use hydroponic techniques to grow fodder for consumption by stock. Various systems which involve the growing of commercial quantities of stock fodder in a controlled growing environment are already marketed in Australia, One of the significant advantages of hydroponic techniques is the fact that they are very water efficient. Thus, a capital investment in hydroponic technology can potentially drought-proof a farm and/or free up limited water resources for other uses. Despite this advantage, uptake of the technology to date has been poor. Known hydroponic stock fodder systems are, generally speaking, very labour intensive. These known systems essentially consist of trays on fixed racks, and require manual delivery of input grain to the trays, location of the trays in the racks, removal of the trays from the racks for harvesting/distribution of output fodder, and manual cleaning of the trays prior to further use. 1 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 Other known systems attempt to automate the process with the use of motors, conveyers, etc. However, these systems are generally far too complex and costly, particularly for small scale operations, e.g. dairy farms. The present invention aims to provide a hydroponic fodder system which is significantly more labour efficient than known manual systems, but without becoming complex to the point where it becomes prohibitively expensive or complex. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention resides in a hydroponic stock fodder system according to the following claims. Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the dependant claims and from the following non-limiting description of the preferred embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various aspects of the invention will now be described in a non-limiting manner with respect to a preferred embodiment in which: FIG 1 is a perspective view of the frame; FIG 2 is a perspective view of the frame and liquid delivery conduit; 2 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 FIG 3 is a perspective view of the frame, liquid delivery conduit and rack release mechanism; FIG 4 is a perspective view of the frame, liquid delivery conduit, rack release mechanism and racks; FIG 5 is the view of FIG 4 with the rack release mechanism partially actuated to release three of the six racks; FIG 6 is a series of schematic views demonstrating the sequential release of the racks from bottom to top by the rack release mechanism; FIG 7 is the view of FIG 4 with the rack release mechanisms fully actuated to release all racks; FIG 8 is a perspective view of the racks of the stock fodder system being filled with grain; FIG 9 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG 5 with the rack release mechanism partially actuated to release the fodder-loaded racks; FIG 10 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG 7 with the fully released racks being cleaned; and 3 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 FIG 11 is a perspective view of a row of frames illustrating the nine day growing and harvest cycle of the stock fodder system. DETAILED DECRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring firstly to FIG 1 there is illustrated in perspective view a bare frame 10 which is constructed predominantly of welded rectangular hollow section steel sections. The frame includes six feet 12 which are adapted to be fixed to the floor of the controlled-environment shed. The frame also includes three medial support posts 14 which support the inboard ends of the racks (not illustrated in FIG 1), and six lateral support posts 16 which support the outboard ends of the racks via a rack release mechanism (not illustrated in FIG 1). In FIG 2 the liquid delivery conduit 18 which delivers water and nutrients to the fodder system has been added to the bare frame of FIG 1. It will be noted that the nutrient delivery conduit branches down to individual dripper/sprayer outlets which feed the individual racks. In FIG 3 four rack release mechanisms 20 have been added to the frame of FIG 2. As can be seen, each rack release mechanism consists of a pair of vertical members pivotably mounted at their upper ends to the outboard support posts 16. A horizontal bar 22 extends between the lower ends of the pivoting vertical members. The inboard edges of each of the vertical members is serrated to define a plurality (in the illustrated embodiment, six) concavities 24 which are 4 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 each adapted to support one end of the outboard edge of a rack, This will be further described shortly with reference to FIG 6. In FIG 4 the racks 26 have been added and the stock fodder system is complete. As can be observed in FIG 4, there are 24 racks mounted to each frame (twelve on each side, in two banks of six). Each rack 26 is supported at its inboard edge by a pair of spaced medial support posts 14, and each rack is supported at its outboard edge by the concavities 24 in the spaced vertical members of the associated rack release mechanism. It will be appreciated that there is a rack release mechanism for each bank of six racks, Of course, the number of racks in a bank, and the number of banks is arbitrary, and the system can be scaled up or down as desired. Referring to FIG 5 and FIG 6, the operation of the rack release mechanism can be observed. In use, the operator first releases a safely pin (not illustrated) and thereafter pulls the bar 22 in the outboard direction. As the rack release mechanism pivots outwardly, the racks are sequentially released from the serrations of the vertical members and are allowed to fall to a substantially vertical position as demonstrated in FIG 5 by the lowermost three racks. With reference to FIG 6, it will be noted that one rack is released for approximately every 2 degrees of movement of the rack release mechanism, although the required arc of rotation for release is inversely proportional to the distance between the serration and the pivot point and accordingly more than 2 degrees of pivoting is required to release the top racks. 5 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 FIG 7 illustrates the fully released rack after the rack release mechanism has been fully actuated and then allowed to return to its default position under the influence of gravity. As can be seen, all six racks are in the substantially vertical released orientation and any block of fodder thereon is allowed to fall downwardly from the rack under the effects of gravity. The reverse process occurs for raising shelves to the original horizontal position. A lifting rod is used by the operator to raise the top rack to horizontal and the control bar is moved inwards by the operator to secure the top rack back in position. The process is repeated for each level. The design which allows sequential release for "drop down" has the reverse effect in raising racks as it allows for sequential locking back in of each level as it is raised without releasing those above it. In an alternative embodiment, rather than being pivoted, the rack release mechanism could be translated in the outboard direction so that all rack release simultaneously. In this alternative embodiment, the racks could be joined together by a mechanical linkage so that the all move in concert. This will facilitate re-setting of the racks in the raised position. The operation of the fodder system will now be described in further detail with reference to FIGS 8, 9 and 10. In FIG 8 there is illustrated the filling of the racks with grain with the assistance of a self-propelled, mobile seed bin incorporating a stepped-up work deck and 6 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 height-adjustable dispensing nozzle designed to dispense seed to the growing trays. Seed is vacuum delivered to the dispensing nozzle which is designed to deliver, dispense and level the seed into the rack in a single "rear to front" movement. In alternative embodiments, an auger mechanism could be employed. The rack design incorporates edge platforms or ridges and a central divider which combine to provide both the level and directional guide for the dispensing process. The dividing compartment in each rack also assists end digestibility of the fodder by enabling it to be easily broken down by stock into smaller parts (root mats being separated by the dividers). The mobile grain delivery unit significantly reduces manual handling and time involved in seed delivery and rack filling. The unit enables the seed to be transported in bulk to the racks and mechanically dispensed in the correct amount. In FIG 9 there is illustrated the harvesting of the fodder from the system, which typically occurs nine days after the seed is introduced. As can be seen, actuation of the rack release mechanism causes the fodder blocks to fall, under the effect of gravity, to a trolley which is parked under the racks. In an alternative embodiment, a conveyor could pass beneath the frame. However, such alternative embodiment would be significantly more expensive than the illustrated preferred embodiment. 7 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 In the prior art, the trays containing the fodder are lifted by hand from the fixed racks and transported from the controlled-environment shed to the feed lot. This involves the individual handling of each tray and fodder mat and commonly involves multiple trips back and forth between the production zone and the feed area. In the feed area the fodder mats are generally removed from the transport vehicle and placed onto the ground - which may result in wastage due to trampling - or into a dedicated feed trough. Either way, another step of handling is required. The introduction of trolleys which are designed to fit under the racking system reduces the manual effort involved in both harvesting and distributing fodder. The "drop-down" racks allow the fodder to fall into the collection trolleys, which are then towed directly to the feed area where they then temporarily form the "feed bins" for the stock. Thus, the fodder is not placed on the ground, nor is there any extra handling step in placing the fodder blocks into a dedicated feed trough. The trolleys are designed with "fenced" sides to capture grass mats as they fall from the growing shelves. They are designed to fit under the rack and shelf system. The trolleys can be coupled together to form a "train" of one or more units. Each trolley features removable fences and a full surround base which is 250mm deep, These two features enable the trolley to be left in any location, fences removed, and stock allowed to graze from it as a mobile feed bin. The 250mm 8 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 raised sides around the base prevent losses of fodder at the bottom of the stack as stock work their way through the fodder allocation. When emptied, trolleys are collected and are positioned under racks for the next download of fodder. This conversion of a trolley to becoming a mobile "feed bin" adds a particular advantage to this system. With little or no extra effort the feed zone can be moved to different locations on a daily basis simply by towing the trolleys to a different place each time. It is generally a major logistical exercise to move the feed zone in a conventional feedlot and extra effort is required to maintain hygiene and animal health when stock continually feed and gather in the one place. Referring now to FIG 10, there is illustrated the cleaning of the rack after the fodder has been harvested. Most systems have a process to protect against mould and fungus which is encouraged by the accelerated growth of the grass in a warm humid environment. This generally involves washing the trays in a solution between each use. While hanging vertically after being unloaded racks are then steam cleaned and washed with sterilising solution using a mobile steam clean unit with hose and high pressure spray nozzle followed by brushing down with solution using a long handled "broom" style brush. Racks are left in vertical position to drip dry and raised again when operator is ready to re-fill with seed. 9 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 In the prior art the plastic trays are washed by hand, often outside the growing shed and then dried. The trays are then filled with seed and carried into the shed and placed into the racks. This requires daily manual handling of large quantities of seeds and trays. This is both labour'intensive and time-consuming (scarce resources in any farm or production process). Referring now to FIG 11 there is illustrated the entire hydroponic growing system operating on a nine day cycle. It will be understood that the nine rack assemblies are, in use, housed within a controlled environment shed. As can be seen, the "Day 1" racks are being filled with seed by the mobile seed delivery apparatus, whilst the "Day 9" racks are being harvested and cleaned. Days 2-8 contain seed/fodder at incremental levels of maturity. It will be understood that the embodiment described above is non-limiting and is merely representative of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 10

Claims (9)

1. A hydroponic stock fodder system including: a frame; a rack for receiving grain and for growing fodder thereon, the rack being pivotably mounted relative to the frame for pivoting between a substantially horizontal growing position and a substantially vertical harvesting position.

2. A hydroponic stock fodder system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further includes: fodder collection means adapted to be located beneath the rack for collection of the fodder during harvesting.

3. A hydroponic stock fodder system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein there are a plurality of racks which are stacked vertically, each rack being pivotably mounted relative to the frame for pivoting between a substantially horizontal growing position and a substantially vertical harvesting position.

4. A hydroponic stock fodder system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the system includes a rack release mechanism for releasing the vertical stack of racks sequentially from bottom to top.

5. A hydroponic stock fodder system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rack release mechanism includes a pivotably mounted member having a serrated 11 WO 2005/077152 PCT/AU2005/000172 edge, each serration supporting an edge of a rack such that pivoting of the member releases the vertical stack of racks sequentially from bottom to top.

6. A hydroponic stock fodder system as claimed in claim 2, herein the fodder collection means is a trolley which can be moved to the feed area and used as a feed bin for stock.

7. A method of feeding stock including: hydroponically growing fodder in a rack which is pivotably mounted to a frame for pivoting between a substantially horizontal growing position and a substantially vertical harvesting position.

8. A method of feeding stock as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further includes: pivoting said rack to said substantially vertical harvesting position and allowing fodder grown thereon to fall to a fodder collection means.

9. A method of feeding stock as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fodder collection means is a trolley which is moved to a feed area and acts as a feed bin at that location. 12