August 4, 2008
US livestock producers try out light test weight barley as feed
Cattle producers may be able to use lower test weight barley as feed for their animals, according to a North Dakota State University cattle expert.
Light test weight barley have become available in North Dakota as low test weights have resulted from dry conditions in many regions of the state. This gave room for more farmers to give light weight barley a try.
Low test weight barleyis lower in starch and higher in fiber than normal test weight grain, according to Greg Lardy, NDSU Extension Service beef cattle specialist and associate professor in the Animal Sciences Department. This results in lower energy content for the light test weight grain.
Producers may not notice any reductions in performance of their livestock when they feed them lightweight barley.
However, when test weight approaches 40 pounds or less, the energy content is low enough where differences in feed efficiency are noticeable.
Animals offered high-concentrate diets will tend to consume more of the lighter test weight grain as a mechanism to compensate for the lower energy content. This results in poorer feed conversion efficiency.
Lardy recommends producers consider pricing lower test weight grain according to its feeding value. Test weight can be used as an approximation of feeding value, but it would ignore details like protein content, which is present in low test weights.
If crop insurance regulations allow, harvesting light test weight grain as a hay crop may be a viable option, Lardy said, adding that that it would be suitable feed for wintering beef cattle.