November 24, 2008
Australian farmers profit from the invention of the Automatic Paddock
Livestock producers in Australia are paying 12 cents per kilogramme for stock feed from a new Australian invention called the Automatic Paddock.
The machine turns barley seeds and treated water into palatable green shoots for any grass eating animal and undercuts grain feed prices by about two thirds.
The computer controlled machine is attracting intense interest from overseas and a trailer mounted version has recently been sent to Iraq to assist in the reconstruction of the nation's livestock industry.
Local farmers say the feed is sold for about 12 cents a kilogramme, compared with current grain costs of 35 cents a kilogramme.
Terry Colless, a former plumber and RAAF engineer who built the Automatic Paddock, says there has been intense interest in this invention from overseas. He says the Automatic Paddock was designed with drought in mind, but most importantly it is designed for its ability to provide feed all year round.
