The first thing I did when preparing for my fodder trials was clear out a spot in the mudroom to actually grow the stuff, and then I gathered a few trays that would work. Seeds however were a bigger challenge....
Here in Texas,. barley is not nearly as common or easy to come by as it is in other regions of the U.S. This posed a problem - everyone was talking about BARLEY fodder...okay...so I looked and researched some more...It seems people also use a product from Tractor Supply called "Plot Spike" - it is meant to be tossed out in the woods and such on deer leases to get stuff growing that deer will like to nibble on. Deer and goats being so close in so many ways, I knew that I could, if need be, sprout this stuff...but it was pricey! One major point was to bring down costs right? Plus, I intended to feed this fodder to our horses and they are very much NOT like deer right? Okay...
So then I discovered that WHEAT would grow as well....okay...still not all that easy to find...but I DID find it!
A tip for those in Texas growing fodder...if your feed store carries Boyce products, ask them to order the Wheat. It grows BEAUTIFULLY! Now, what if you aren't in Texas or can't get the Boyce products?
Well...call around....Human Health Food Stores - ah ha! They carry organic and often non GMO as well barley AND wheat for sprouting and grinding into flour and such! It will cost you a little more, but to me it is worth it. Plus, the most local to me place will order it in bulk and offers a discount if they do that for me. Pretty nifty right?
Call local or near as you can find local grain elevators. They often can help you and point you the right way. Call the other feed dealers. Here we have Lone Star, MG, and a few others...the rep at Lone Star actually told me about Boyce...see...they CAN be helpful even if it is not their product! They aren't out to be jerks, and can point you the right direction.
I actually called around for a friend yesterday. She lives a few hours away from me, but still here in Texas. First, I called Boyce and asked who the dealers were nearest to her, and got their number. Then I ended up on the phone with a very nice, if ill informed as far as fodder goes, gentleman who talked my ear off LOL :) But he was super helpful, gave me the info I needed to pass along to my friend and SCORE! She now has a good source for wheat!
It does take a little creative effort sometimes to find what you want. Often, telling people what you are doing with it helps! Don't be afraid to say that you are looking for something that you can grow into fodder. Most people will be glad to help you and even intrigued as to what you are up to. I can't tell you how many times I have had to stop and explain the basics of fodder itself when I was telling someone on the phone what I was up to and why I wanted whole wheat or barley.
So, lesson here is: don't be afraid to let your fingers do the walking, pick up the phone, and exhaust all resources before you give up and don't get hung up on growing just one thing like barley! I almost didn't even attempt this after hitting a few dead ends...but perseverance is the key :)
I had my wheat, I had a few supplies...and the trials began :)
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