“Livestock farmers face several hurdles when it comes to growing their own fodder. These include a lack of expertise in specialized areas, high initial investment costs for equipment and infrastructure, time and labor demands, challenges in maintaining consistent quality control, and the opportunity cost of dedicating resources solely to fodder production,” affirms Amine Ben, COO of Verticroft Holdings, a UAE based supplier of fodder farms.
Verticroft offers a range of products and solutions tailored to the needs of livestock farmers. Their focus is on livestock breeding, lamb meat farming, and forage solutions. As Amine highlights, the systems have undergone careful research and development as well as practical field trials to prove their dependability and efficiency.
Amine Ben
Overcoming hurdles
According to Amine, overcoming these hurdles requires education, efficient labor management, quality control measures, and cost-benefit analysis conduction. Through our in-house engineers and R&D department, we are able to provide tailored products that allow for efficient solutions per customer. “We aim to provide convenience by offering cost-efficient and reliable high-quality fodder, freeing farmers from the burdens and complexities of growing their own.”
The team takes pride in providing sheep farmers with an efficient breed of sheep, the Australian White, which thrives in diverse climatic conditions and produces high-quality meat. To maximize the breed’s performance, Verticroft supplies reliable forage solutions and offers expert guidance on farming practices.
Growing fodder at a low price
“Our company achieves cost efficiency by leveraging economies of scale and customized solutions that fit a client’s need. On top of that, we optimize supply chain management and provide value-added services to ensure competitive pricing, timely delivery, and optimized animal nutrition. By partnering with us, livestock farmers can benefit from our commitment to their profitability and success,” Amine adds.
A cultivation cycle inside the farm typically spans from four to seven days, contingent upon the chosen crop, which will yield approximately 52 cycles per annum. The VC1000 System has the capacity to cultivate up to 1,000kg of fodder daily. “The containers also enable the cultivation of diverse grains such as Barley, Wheat, Corn, Lentils, Peas, and others. They yield fresh daily sprouted grasses to cater to the animal’s nutritional needs.”
The end result
Increase in demand for livestock fodder
Looking ahead, Verticroft sees that the Australian White breed sheep will become prominent in the Gulf region, meaning that more growers will need livestock nutrition.
Knowing there’s a peak in demand, Verticroft will contribute to the growth and success of the sector by launching dedicated breeding programs and feed formulations. Amine adds, “We are committed to addressing the evolving needs of livestock farmers. As part of our ongoing efforts, we continually explore and assess different crop options that can serve as nutritious fodder for livestock.”
“Our goal is to provide farmers with a diverse range of high-quality feed alternatives to optimize animal nutrition and performance. Through research, partnerships, and leveraging our expertise, we aim to identify and introduce new crop varieties or alternatives that offer improved feeding options for livestock farmers. By staying proactive and responsive to industry demands, we strive to support the success and sustainability of the farming community,” Amine adds.