Feeding Barley to Cattle

Barley is a cereal grain that has demonstrated world-wide importance. Although generally considered an energy source, barley has more protein than other cereals commonly used in ruminant diets. Nutritional composition of barley can be affected by geographic location and climatic conditions. Varietal differences account for some of the differences observed in nutrient composition. However, it is thought that test weight has a more significant effect upon nutrient composition. Barley needs to be processed to be used effectively in cattle diets but the procedure need not be elaborate. Steam treatment of barley has a less pronounced effect than is observed with either corn or grain sorghum. Promising results have been obtained through chemical processing of whole barley, but such procedures are still in the experimental stage. Because barley has a relatively rapid fermentation rate it should be gradually introduced into cattle diets.