feeding barley

[abelvalley]

I have access to really nice NON GMO NO spray barley. Its whole. I know everyone is doing the whole fodder thing.. I dont have the time or space to do that as much as I would love to attempt it. I know in horses cracked barley is a nice feed to help bulk them up.

Does anyone feed whole barley to there cows? I can soak it? Semi sprout it? If needed. But would it be safe to feed whole.

[carragheendexters]

I know some people like to have their cattle only grass fed, and some people like to feed their cattle grain, it really is horses for courses. You have to do what suits you and your philosophies. Also you have to take into account what is available for you to buy, and whether you can afford it or not.

My personal opinion? I think barley is a great grain to feed to cattle. We feed it to cattle that we are finishing for slaughter and also to those we are showing. For us, we like the finished product. We like how our meat looks and tastes, and the cattle look good for shows. We buy rolled barley with molasses, just because that is what we can buy. Cattle can digest whole barley just fine, and if feeding large amounts it is a bit safer to feed than rolled barley. The one thing to keep in mind with any grain is to start slowly, and increase to the desired amount to be fed over a few weeks. This allows the rumen bacteria to acclimate and minimise any risk of lactic acidosis.

We find our cattle don't like any soaked or wet feed, they prefer all of their feed dry. They hate it if their hay or straw gets wet. If you are short on time and  trying to minimise work, I wouldn't bother sprouting it. I have had someone who sells forage units try at a show to get my cattle to eat the sprouted barley, they thought she was trying to poison them.

Pound for pound by dry matter, sprouted barley and whole grain barley have the same metabolisable energy, so if you aren't against feeding grain there is no advantage in feeding it sprouted.

Just do what you think is right for you, if you are happy feeding grain, and you are able to get good grain at the right price, I say go for it.