Producing and Feeding High-Moisture Barley

With a shortage of quality high-moisture corn this year, questions regarding barley as a substitute to replace or stretch corn reserves have been common. Although some producers routinely utilize barley as a feed component, there are some pitfalls to avoid in terms of production and feeding management. This is especially true with a high-moisture product. Here are some of the basics.

Production Practices

Recommended barley varieties for Wisconsin currently include Bounty, Chilton, Excel, Hazen, Stander and Robust. More detailed information on variety characteristics can be found in UWEX Bulletin A3397, Small Grain Varieties for Grain and Forage in Wisconsin. The suggested seeding rate for barley is 85 to 100 pounds per acre. Stay on the low side for early plantings and increase as planting date is delayed. Seeding depth should be 0.75 - 1.5 inches. Yields of barley have typically ranged from 60 to 80 bushels per acre in state and local variety plots.

Fertilizing barley is similar to oats. Where no legume is seeded with the barley, 50 units of N, 20 to 40 units of P2O5 and 40 to 80 units of K2O are recommended, depending on soil test level. Reduce the N rate by one-half if alfalfa is being established with the barley seeding.

Harvest Options

Barley can be harvested as a high-moisture feed or dry grain. From the standpoint of a legume seeding, an earlier high-moisture harvest would be more beneficial. However, timing the harvest to obtain the proper kernel moisture is critical. Harvest should begin when grain moisture reaches 30%. At this moisture level, some green kernels are likely to appear in the harvested grain. Most failures with high-moisture barley occur when the grain is harvested too dry. Once moistures drop below 25%, the best alternative might be to leave the crop in the field for a dry grain harvest, rather than risk spoilage during storage. Depending upon weather conditions, the number of harvest days could be limited. Monitor field grain moistures frequently!

Higher yields can probably be attained with a high-moisture grain harvest because of reduced field losses. Experiment with cylinder and concave settings to obtain proper threshing.

Storage

Processing and storing high-moisture barley requires top management. An oxygen-limiting structure is needed unless the grain is treated with an organic acid product. Daily removal and rolling as needed for feeding seems to work the best, especially in warm weather. Storing dry barley grain is less risky and can be accomplished by taking normal, proper grain storage precautions.

Feeding

Feeding high moisture barley can replace corn as an energy source for dairy cattle. However, that is not true for dry barley, unless it is steam flaked, which is not available in Wisconsin. Feeding studies in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana have found that swine, beef and dairy cattle performed equally well or slightly better on high moisture barley as compared to dry barley. The rolled, high moisture barley was palatable and no digestive disturbances were observed. Since dry barley is not as palatable, most nutritionists would recommend limit feeding to no more than ½ to 2/3 of the grain mix. Usually, fineness and dustiness become problems with dry barley. However, this may not be as big a problem in total mixed rations.

High moisture barley has 5% less energy than high moisture corn. To match the performance of corn, a proportionate higher amount of barley must be fed. Barley does have one advantage over corn and that is in protein content (15% protein versus 10% in corn). Barley is also higher in crude fiber (5 to 8%) compared to corn (2 to 2.5%).

In starting cows on high moisture barley, more time is required for cows to go on feed. An adjustment period of two weeks usually is recommended. Also, the barley must be fully fermented before being fed. The fermentation process for high moisture barley takes about three weeks. For high moisture corn, this is not as critical.

High moisture barley fed to milking cows should always be rolled or ground coarsely. However, in warm weather, high moisture barley should not be rolled or ground in large batches for extended periods of feeding. It needs to be fed fresh to remain palatable.

The important thing about feeding high moisture barley is moisture content. If the barley gets too dry, palatability and performance will be lower. If the choice between feeding corn and barley is even, most people would stick with corn because of its slightly higher palatability and more concentrated energy. But, barley can be substituted for corn successfully, if cows are given a chance to adapt and ration adjustments are made.