Various countries have slowly adapted vertical farms into their cities as a solution to the growing demands of food from a growing population. These vertical farms in densely populated cities are said to be more efficient than the conventional farming practices that use far more resources, such as land and water.
Countries like the US, the UK, and the city of Dubai are adapting vertical farming to feed humans. But how about the livestock, such as the cows?
Presently, around 780 million acres of land in the US, or around 41% of the total area, is used to grow feed for livestock either on pastures through growing crops, according to Agritecture. Each year, that demand continues to grow but the arable land is also shrinking, says Steve Lindsley, president of Grōv Technologies.
That is where vertical farming for feed production comes in.
Vertical Farms for Feed Production
Three years ago, Lance Bateman and his three brothers founded the Bateman Mosida Farms, a vertical farm that grows feed for cows of their dairy and beef ranch. Later on, agriculture tech company Grōv Technologies partnered with the Batemans on the project and together developed equipment for vertical farming.
Their industrial dome is located in the small community of Elberta, Utah which stacked shelves 25 feet tall. This is a vertical farm but unlike those in the densely packed cities, this is a vertical farm that grows food for cows.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the vertical farm has six towers that pump fresh wheatgrass that provides feed for over 20,000 cows all year round. Bateman said that they hope it could become the most consistent and desirable feed for the livestock.
The vertical only uses 857 square feet of space, unlike the conventional farms that use acres of land. But it does grow plants equivalent to the amount of feed that 35-50 acres of land produce.
Grōv Technologies said that these vertical farms use 95% less water and produce a full harvest cycle that takes around 5-7 days. The towers are connected wherein it starts from the trays of seeds at the bottom that carries it to the top of the tower and rotated on wheels throughout the entire structure.
The plants are watered automatically. The sunlight is also not a problem as they are treated with low-heat LED grow lights before they are harvested.
Each tower could produce 2,800 pounds of feed each day, which is only 2% of what Bateman's cows eat in a day. He buys the rest of the wheat for his cows. The farm is planning to add four more towers in the next six weeks.
Financial Benefits of Vertical Farms
Farming livestock takes a toll on the planet. But with vertical farms, that environmental cost is reduced. However, environmental benefits are not the only benefits that using vertical farms offer.
There are also the financial benefits wherein studies find that adding the feed from vertical farms to the cows' diet produces more milk or sometimes the same amount but consuming lesser feed overall, Smithsonian Magazine reported.
"A farm is an expensive venture, yet I know with this facility, we can compete, especially with different climate scenarios across the country and the world," Bateman said. "I believe this is going to make farming available in areas where it hasn't been able to happen."
The company is still looking for better ways to maximize the effectiveness of vertical farming to feed its cattle. As of now, the vertical farm is still in its early stage but Bateman hopes that it could someday ensure his family's farm is in fine form before passing it to the next generation.
Check out more news and information on Vertical Farming on Science Times.
