Barley

Feed barley comes from:

• agricultural production of barley varieties dedicated to feed use
• cleaning and processing of the grain (drying, selection, optional dehulling and grinding) to obtain standardized quality for concentrates and complete feeds

Aqua

In aquaculture, barley is mainly used as an additional starch source and as a technological component for forming pellets and extruded feed. Thanks to its starch content, it supports extrusion stability, pellet integrity in water and controlled disintegration. In herbivorous and omnivorous fish species, barley can contribute to dietary energy at controlled inclusion levels, depending on starch digestibility of the target species and growth stage.

Beef

In beef cattle, barley is an important source of rapidly available energy in grain‑based and silage‑based rations. In finisher diets it complements or partially replaces corn in concentrates, supporting efficient feed conversion and stable daily gains. Due to its higher fiber content compared with corn, barley can contribute to somewhat better rumen function in high‑grain diets when combined with adequate structural fiber.

Dairy cows

In dairy nutrition, barley is a common component of concentrate mixes for high‑yielding cows. It is typically used together with corn, wheat or other cereals to balance rumen‑fermentable starch. In early lactation, barley provides rapidly fermentable energy to support milk production, but its inclusion level must be carefully controlled to avoid excessive rumen acid load. Rolled or coarsely ground barley is easily combined with vitamin–mineral premixes in complete and complementary feeds.

Poultry

In poultry diets (broilers, layers), barley is used as part of the energy fraction in complete feeds. Due to its beta‑glucan content, it is commonly combined with enzyme preparations (e.g. beta‑glucanase, xylanase) to improve starch digestibility and reduce intestinal digesta viscosity. In broiler starter, grower and finisher feeds, barley inclusion is adjusted according to production goals and availability of other cereals, with formulation optimization for good feed conversion and gut health.

Swine

In swine nutrition, barley is used as a main or complementary energy source in feeds for piglets, grower/finisher pigs and sows. In piglet diets it is typically combined with highly digestible energy and protein sources, with attention to particle size for optimal intake and digestibility. In grower/finisher diets, barley supports a stable energy supply and slightly higher fiber levels, which may be beneficial for gut function. In sow diets, barley is often used to help manage energy intake and promote satiety.