Barley is a great value to corn

[Palouser]

Check with a washington or Oregon land grant college (OSU or WSU). They should have a source of seed. 'Kamiak' and another were standbys for winter varieties of feed barley. There is a great spring feed variety called Baronesse - WestBred label PV. Pretty much bullet proof.

[nwobcw]

  How well does it store?   Should moisture be 13% or less?   Will weevils get in it like they do in wheat?  We quit storing wheat on the farm over 30 years ago because of the weevils.

[Jed Stivers]

That's good info to have, thanks Palouser.

[Palouser]

I have no problem storing either wheat or barley, but it is always harvested at 12% and as low as 7.5%. We have low humidity. None of my bins is larger than 10,000 bu and a simple aeration tube (perforated culvert) at the bottom with a 3/4 hp fan takes care of everything. I don't even use any chems or additives whatsoever. Cool it down twice (and to even out moisture). Once in the fall and once during the winter.

As far as I know barley is more resistent to bugs. I've never had a problem. I realize that in more humid climates the situation might be different. We do not use dryers out here.

Protein can be 13% in feed barleyout here (PNW). TW is usually @ 50 lbs.

[dafeeder]

I really don't know if this is true, but in cattle rations, I was always told barley is hot and you have to be careful not to feed too much of it, in a ration.  

[Palouser]

I sort of doubt barley is very hot, but I'm not an animal man. Dairies out here love it.

I think barley's major problem is that it isn't corn or soy, which is the experience of most feeders. It has been a standby in the past for dairies and feeders in the PNW and Canada.

[Palouser]

The summary below approximates the more detailed study. Up to 100% barley fed in the study. Reduces protein supplements. etc.

Europe is very reliant on feed barley.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/eb70w.htm

Barley Feed 

Numerous ruminant livestock feeding trials conducted in the Western U.S., where more than 80% of the market is heavy test weight 2-row varieties, have shown these barleys are comparable to or better than corn in average daily gain and feed efficiency. 

Dairy lactation studies also show a benefit in feeding barley in total milk and milk fat production.  Beef feeding trials receiving a growing and finishing ration at North Dakota State University also confirm a greater feed efficiency and net return.  

The National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility in Aberdeen, Idaho, is developing barley cultivars with reduced levels of phytic acid (lpa) for use in monogastric animal diets. 

Fish feeding trials at the University of Idaho and chicken and pig feeding trials at the University of Missouri have shown that the animals are able to absorb and use a much larger fraction of the barley’s total phosphorous in these lpa cultivars and excrete up to 50% less phosphorous waste. 

There also have been several studies comparing barley versus corn-fed beef steers and market hogs showing that barley-fed animals have a harder whiter fat than corn-fed animals that tend to have a softer, more yellow fat color. 

Barley’s higher protein content is economically advantageous for reducing supplemental protein costs in feed lot and dairy rations. 

In swine diets, barley’s amino acid profile more closely matches the requirements of the animal compared to corn, which reduces the ration cost since less lysine and methionine will have to be added to the diet.

[Pupdaddy]

I've been thinking about a system involving barley for quite some time. It all stems from the extension folks here in Ohio promoting an inter-plant system for giving double crop soybeans a headstart in standing wheat. We have several guys in the area that are planting their wheat in 10-12" and even some 15" rows so that they can seed soybeans into the standing wheat after the wheat has flowered. My problem with that...is after subtracting the yield loss from the wheat (approximately 6-8%, on 12 inch rows) and then wondering whether you have enough moisture in August/September to get the pods filled....that we are using the wrong grains for this project. I propose using Barley...which matures about 2 weeks earlier than wheat, and then interplanting with Milo...which will put seed on even in a very dry Ohio August. My father tells me they used to grow barley 60 years ago..so I know it will work here. We typically have enough soil moisture to keep milo going...when soybeans would be waiting for a rain. This system would break up the soybean cyst nematode cycle, giving Ohio farmers another crop to harvest, and provide cover for soil with both the wheat stubble and milo stubble over the winter. The only problem I have..is finding a market for these two crops. I could attempt to find feeders that wish to use my product, approach one of the local feed companies about using it.....or try to convince our local ethanol plant to use them. Apparently using milo in the ethanol plant is a no-brainer. I've read articles stating that in Kansas...POET has been buying milo right along with corn to use at their ethanol plant...and mixing together in the same bin. From what I've read..it only takes the addition of another bacteria in the mash process to get the milo producing alcohols the same as the corn. I don't know if it effects the feed value of the DDG's at all...but from what Palouser has posted...it shouldn't make too much difference. I really think I need to get some other people involved in this project...but haven't put it together yet. The only thing stopping me right now..is the absense of a glyphosate or glufosinate resistant Milo. We might run into problems with some grasses in the Milo...but 2,4-D or Dicamba should take care of all the broadleaves we run into problems with.

[Palouser]

Interesting comments. I do believe there is a cultural bias against using barley. Just the way it is. I mean, I would raise corn too, but my  season is too short and cold. As for using it as feed - those looking for options should be looking hard at it IF they can get a source. It's just too good a feed at a relatively cheap price in the current conditions.

Comment on row spacing for wheat (winter I presume). I just harvested a dryland average of over 100 bu SWW on 11" spacing. My spring crop spacing is more conventional.

[Pupdaddy]

In Ohio, we have raised 100 bushel soft red wheat...but we tend to have very short grain fill periods. The wheat actually shuts itself off because it gets hot too early. A long cool spring like the Pacific NW enjoys is what makes those big yields out there I'm told. Obviously that kind of spring doesn't benefit corn or soybeans...so usually early dry warm spring weather is appreciated.