There is provided a fodder growing system (10) comprising a building slab 11 and insulated walls and roof panels 16 to form an insulated housing. A plurality of vertically-spaced, thermally massive MgO composite platforms (41) is supported at each end by uprights (34) and stringers (37, 40). The platform (41) is inclined 4° downward to a substantially unobstructed front edge. An irrigation system includes control means (51) for delivery of a selected, six-day irrigation program from a water supply (23, 26) to spray nozzles (45) supported over each of said platforms (41). An illumination system controlled by the control means (51) drives LED arrays (not shown) supported over each of said platforms (41). Temperature control means comprises a thermal collector (25) heating hot water supply (26) blended by a tempering valve with the cold water supply under the control of the control means (51) to control the temperature within the housing by controlling the temperature of the water supply.