#USA #Forever Feed #Hanford #River Ranch Farms #FFT GrowSystem

A New Era in Livestock Feeding: Forever Feed Technologies and River Ranch Farms

In an exciting development for agriculture, Forever Feed Technologies has solidified a significant partnership with River Ranch Farms. This $15 million collaboration aims to establish the first commercial hydroponic livestock feed growing center, a pioneering move for the livestock industry.
This initiative marks the debut commercial use of the FFT GrowSystem, which has been tested successfully over the last year. During pilot operations, the innovative ForeverFeed™ sprouted grain was grown and was already being provided to milking cows at the River Ranch Farms in Hanford, California.

The launch of the FFT Innovation Center in late 2024 has been instrumental in refining automation, optimizing growing protocols, and formulating feed rations. These advancements have led to enhanced feed efficiency and increased milk production, demonstrating the system's viability on a commercial scale.

Key Benefits of the FFT GrowSystem

The new system is set to revolutionize the way farmers can produce feed. By employing advanced hydroponic techniques, it allows high-volume fresh feed to be generated daily, addressing the needs of large commercial cattle operations. Some impressive statistics regarding the FFT GrowSystem include:

• - Daily Production: Each GrowSystem can yield up to 50 tons of feed per day.
• - Land Efficiency: It replaces 350 to 500 acres of traditional farmland per GrowSystem, thereby minimizing the environmental footprint.
• - Water Conservation: The technology uses 95% less water compared to standard field-grown options such as alfalfa.
• - Scale of Operations: A setup housing three GrowSystems can cater to the feed needs of over 7,500 milking dairy cows.

The acknowledgment from Jack de Jong, the owner of River Ranch Farms, emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices. He noted, "Over the past year, we have proven that we can effectively and economically grow high volumes of feed daily without interruption, feeding thousands of dairy cows," highlighting the reliability of this innovative approach. River Ranch Farms has already implemented renewable energy solutions, such as solar power and natural gas production from manure, to create a more sustainable operation. The adoption of this hydroponic technology could further enhance these efforts by reducing water usage and boosting herd health and productivity.

The Structure at River Ranch Farms

The proposed FFT FeedCenter will ultimately house three FFT GrowSystems, designed to serve the dietary requirements of a substantial number of dairy cows. Incorporating FFT's patented intellectual property and science-based farming practices, the project is set to integrate automated technologies from JR Automation, a respected Hitachi company known for advancing automation in agribusiness.
This landmark project underscores Forever Feed Technologies' commitment to providing innovative and efficient agricultural solutions. Established by farmers focusing on sustainability, the company aims to reshape the future of animal agriculture.

With the FFT GrowSystem's launch, farmers now have a resilient method to combat challenges associated with extreme weather, droughts, and supply chain disruptions. By cultivating high-nutrition feed year-round, producers can foster sustainable growth in their operations, ensuring food security and profitability.

The collaboration between Forever Feed Technologies and River Ranch Farms not only sets a new precedent in livestock feed production but also emphasizes the importance of technological advancements in fostering a sustainable and efficient agricultural sector.