Small Grains, Large Gains: Feeding Barley to Pigs

Barley is an annual cereal grain used for livestock feed and forage, as well as for malting. Barley cultivars are available for fall or spring planting. Spring-seeded barleys are commonly planted in Midwest areas where well-drained, fertile soils provide optimum production.

Barley grain can be arranged in two-rows or six-rows and hulled or hull-less. These different barley varieties result in various growth rates, feed intake and feed efficiency for pigs. Two-rowed barley produces fewer, but larger kernels per plant than six-rowed barley, so it generally has better feed efficiency, but lower grain yields per acre. Hulless barley has higher crude protein and lower crude fiber than hulled barley, as the hull contains a large portion of the fiber.

Nutritional Quality and Health Benefits of Barley

Barley has a similar nutrient profile to corn making it a versatile feed grain. Compared to other small grains, barley has a lower metabolizable energy (ME) value than rye and corn. Like oats, barley has higher fiber content than other small grains because the kernels are encased in a hull. Barley contains more phosphorus, with a higher bioavailability than other small grains; reaching 20-30%, while corn bioavailability is 10-15%.

Barley also has a high heat increment content, which increases heat produced from feed digestion. High heat increments of a feed grain help to keep an animal warm in cold environments. Keep in mind – during warm conditions, more barley will need to be fed due to lower feed intake caused by additional generated heat (Iowa State Extension, 2005).

Nutrient Analysis Comparing Corn, Oats, Rye and Barley (As-Fed Basis)

Source: Iowa State Extension, 2005

Feeding Barley in Different Production Phases

Barley is well suited for grow-finish rations since feed intake is not a limiting factor and pigs can perform as well as they do on corn-based diets. Feeding Small Grains to Swine reports the high fiber content of barley does not negatively affect gains in growing-finishing pigs, and found pigs fed barley-based diets tended to have a higher quality fat than those fed corn-based diets. Even though barley-based diets are lower in energy than corn-based diets, pigs can meet their energy requirements by eating more.

Farmers like Ron Rosmann of Harlan, use barley in combination with other small grains like oats, wheat, triticale, and field peas to feed succotash. Read about the feeding trial Ron conducted here, Feeding Trial: Succotash Swine. In the video below, Ron, Dan and Torray Wilson of Paullina talk about growing succotash for livestock.

Barley can also be used as the sole cereal grain in sow diets during gestation. However, barley’s low energy density limits its use to 85% in lactating sow diets and 25% in weaning pigs’ diets. The recommended inclusion rate for barley in starter diets is less than 25% due to barley’s high fiber content. Starter pigs’ growth performance may be challenged when feeding barley due to its lower energy content. The fiber in barley has a prebiotic effect reducing diarrhea incidences for starter pigs.

Compiled from the Tri-State Swine Nutrition Guide and from Iowa State University extension nutrition guide.

“The main reason I got into growing barley is to prevent erosion; I wanted a practice that would help my soil.” – Darrel Steele of Washington

How much should you pay for barley?

The value of small grains should be based on their nutrient contribution to the ration regarding digestibility and costs. The current going price is $3.27 per bushel for corn and $4.53 per bushel for barley. From January to July 2018, barley has been on an average $1.09 more than corn.

In the table below, you’ll see that rations with barley are more expensive than rations without. However, when planted in rotation with corn and soybeans, winter barley keeps a living cover in the field to help protect soil health and water quality. Feeding barley in a mix like succotash can also lower feed costs. Ron shares, “Succotash alone, with field peas having 22-23% protein and barley being equivalent to corn, there is no need to add any soybean meal.”

The table above highlights finishing pig rations; one with a high inclusion rate of barley (90%) and the one with a low inclusion rate of barley (25%). The relative cost of the two high and low rations, based on current market prices, is shown in the table below.

The table above highlights gestating sow rations with and without the inclusion of barley. From the two rations compared, the relative cost of corn and barley based on current market prices is shown in the table below.

What is the cost of purchasing barley? Albert Lea Seed in Minnesota carries both conventional and organic varieties. For Albert Lea’s Robust barley variety, conventional seed is priced at $9.50 per 48-pound bag, and organic seed is $20 per 48-pound bag. A recommended seeding rate is 90 to 100 pounds per acre, therefore costing between $19 and $40 per acre. To find a barley seed dealer near your area, look through our small grains directory.

Dan and Lorna Wilson of Paullina, conducted an on-farm research project determining the economic differences between a corn and soy ration and rations with corn, soy and barley. Read the report here, Barley Versus Corn Based Hog Rations.

Other blogs in our feeding small grains to pigs series:

Feeding Oats to Pigs  Feeding rye to pigs

feeding Triticale to pigs  Feeding wheat to pigs

Feeding Small Grains to Pigs