Maximizing Cattle Performance with Barley Feed
Discover why barley is a superior feed grain for beef cattle, with research-backed tips on processing, feeding, and maximizing performance.
Barley has been a cornerstone of Canadian beef production for decades, offering a high-energy feed source that promotes efficient weight gain and overall cattle health. SaskBarley has invested in multiple research projects to determine the optimal processing methods and feeding ratios for barley grain in backgrounding and finishing diets. This article breaks down the latest research on barley’s performance compared to other grains, explores processing methods, and provides practical tips for optimizing its use in feedlots.
Why barley? Key benefits for feedlot operators
Barley is a cost-effective, high-energy feed grain with greater crude protein than corn and supports efficient weight gain. Research shows that cattle fed rolled barley outperform those fed corn in many cases, offering better digestibility, energy utilization, and nitrogen retention. For feedlot operators, this means improved feed conversion rates and lower costs.
The importance of proper processing
Nixdorff et al. (2020) found that steam-flaking improved gain-to-feed ratios and starch digestibility but required careful control for flaking density to avoid negative effects on carcass weight. The potential benefits of steam-flaking may justify infrastructure investments for larger feedlots, particularly due to its ability to enhance starch digestibility and feed efficiency. The research also highlighted that flaking conditions for barley are quite different for corn as less steam conditioning is required prior to flaking. This helps reduce the capital cost and increase throughput. However, tempering and dry-rolling remain viable alternatives for barley processing. Tempering improves grain moisture content, reducing dust and breakage, while dry-rolling is a cost-effective method that maintains ruminal health when properly managed. Feedlot operators should weigh these factors based on their specific operational needs and economic considerations.
How you process barley significantly impacts its digestibility and energy availability. Proper processing ensures maximum feed efficiency and cost savings. Here’s what you need to know:
Rolling high-moisture barley
- What the research says: Lynch et al. (2024) found that the severity of rolling affects starch digestibility and fermentation. Over-rolling can lead to excessive fermentation, increasing the risk of digestive issues like acidosis. Under-rolling, on the other hand, reduces starch availability. If feeding high-moisture barley, it is important to recognize that starch digestibility will increase with duration of storage.
- Practical tip: Adjust roller gap widths and grain inflow rate to affect the severity of processing and consider the amount of time the grain has been ensiled to balance starch availability and maintain rumen health. Aim for a consistent, medium roll size to optimize digestion.
Steam-flaking barley
- What the research says: Nixdorff et al. (2020) found that steam-flaking improves starch digestibility and gain to feed ratios but requires careful management of the flaking density. Over-processing (flaking densities that are too low) can lead to rapid fermentation, increasing the risk of acidosis and reducing feed intake.
- Practical tip: If you invest in steam-flaking equipment, monitor flake density closely. Properly steamed barley should have a flake density of 360–400 grams per liter to maximize performance without compromising rumen health. Barley only requires up to 5 min of steam conditioning at atmospheric pressure prior to flaking.
Tempering
- What the research says: Tempering increases grain moisture, reducing dust and kernel breakage during processing.
- Practical tip: Use tempering to improve feed handling and reduce waste, especially in dry conditions. For optimal starch utilization, current studies suggest that tempered barley should be processed to a processing index value of 65-70%.
Dry-rolling
- What the research says: Dry-rolling is a cost-effective method that maintains rumen health when done correctly.
- Practical tip: Ensure consistent roller gap width and barley inflow rate to maximize starch availability without over-processing. Current data suggest processing index values between 70 and 75% while ensuring fine particles are <5%.
Evaluating adequacy of processing
Processing index values and flake density are useful measures to determine if the barley grain is processed sufficiently to maximize digestibility while maintaining rumen health. However, cattle provide the true test. To evaluate what the cattle tell us, producers can take samples of fresh fecal pats in the pen and measure the starch concentration. Starch concentrations <3% indicate very effective starch utilization. It should be cautioned that increasing the severity of cereal grain processing may not always lead to reductions in fecal starch concentration. Cattle fed over-processed grain can also have elevated fecal starch concentrations and silages harvested too mature may also contain starch that contributes to fecal starch.
Tailoring your rations
Backgrounding phase
- What the research says: During backgrounding, barley and corn-fed cattle perform similarly. However, a mix of barley grain and corn silage can optimize nitrogen retention and rumen function.
- Practical tip: Combine barley grain with corn silage to balance fermentable starch and digestible fiber. This supports steady weight gain without increasing acidosis risk.
Finishing diets
- What the research says: Dry-rolled barley consistently outperforms dry-rolled corn in finishing diets. Johnson et al. (2020) found that dry-rolled barley has higher total tract digestibility, improves nitrogen retention, and has greater digestible energy content than corn. This translates to improved feed conversion rates and cost savings.
- Practical tip: If steam flaking is not an option, stick with barley for finishing rations. Incorporating corn is likely to reduce performance proportionally to the amount included (Johnson et al., 2020).
Key takeaways for feedlot operators
Extensive research confirms that barley is a highly efficient, economical feed grain for cattle, offering benefits in starch and protein digestibility, nutrient retention, and overall performance when processed appropriately. Key takeaways for livestock producers and feedlot managers include:
- Invest in the right processing method: Choose processing methods (e.g., dry-rolling, tempering, steam-flaking, or high-moisture) based on your operation’s size, budget, and goals.
- Optimize processing: Proper rolling, tempering, steam-flaking, or high moisture barley can significantly improve barley’s digestibility and energy availability. Avoid over-processing to prevent digestive issues.
- Evaluate diets: A mix of barley grain and corn silage works well in backgrounding diets. For finishing diets, barley offers higher digestibility, better energy utilization, and improved nitrogen retention compared to dry-rolled corn.
Barley remains a reliable, cost-effective feed grain for beef cattle, offering consistent performance benefits when processed correctly. By optimizing processing methods and balancing rations, feedlot operators can maximize feed efficiency, reduce costs, and improve cattle performance. Whether you’re finishing or backgrounding cattle, barley is a proven choice for western Canadian beef production.
Author: SaskBarley
Reviewed by: Gregory Penner, PhD, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan
References:
- Lynch, B.A., Ribeiro, G.O., Mutsvangwa, T., & Penner, G.B. (2024). Effects of the severity of rolling for reconstituted high moisture barley with variable kernel sizes on ensiling characteristics and in vitro ruminal fermentation. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. (In Press)
- Johnson, J.A., Sutherland, B.D., McKinnon, J.J., McAllister, T.A., & Penner, G.B. (2020). Effect of feeding barley or corn silage with dry-rolled barley, corn, or a blend of barley and corn grain on rumen fermentation, total tract digestibility, and nitrogen balance for finishing beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 98(1), skaa002. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa002
- Nixdorff, C., McKinnon, J.J., Shreck, A., Juarez, M., & Penner, G.B. (2020). A comparison of dry-rolled, temper-rolled, and steam-flaked barley grain on dry matter intake, growth, and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. Applied Animal Science, 36, 820-829. https://doi.org/10.15232/aas.2020-02020
